28 



there is less danger of getting- the plant sunburnt. The sticks upon which the 

 plants are hung are small pieces of timber four feet long and of sufficient sizo 

 to support the plants. These are taken to the barn on a cart or wagon after 

 receiving the plants, or may be placed upon scaffolds in the fields, at the option 

 of the planter. If the weather is fair it is best to sun it, as it aids the curing 

 and adds to the strength and elasticity of the leaf after it is cui'cd. Care 

 should be taken not to place the sticks too close, if the weather be damp and 

 warm, as there is danger of injuring the plant. After remaining on the scaffold a 

 few days it becomes yellow or assumes the color of a leaf of autumn ; it must 

 then be carried to the barn or ciuing house and placed away, keeping the sticks 

 far enough apart to secure a free circulation of air through them. If the Aveather 

 is wet it is best to take the plants to the house at once, and let the yellowing 

 process take place in the house rather than risk the changes in the weather, as 

 rain is always injurious to the plant after it is cut, and especially so after it be- 

 comes yellow. 



Importance of the curing process ; furnaces prefcrahle to open fires ; degree of 

 heat at different stages of curing. 

 The curing process is one of the most important in the future value of the 

 crop, aud too much care cannot be given it, a small neglect lessening the value 

 of the crop seriously. If the weather is dry and the tobacco is not too much 

 crowded in the house, the action of the atmosphere, assisted by furnaces instead 

 of fire, v/ill be sufficient, and is preferable, for the smoke from the fire is very 

 injurious to fine manufacturing aud cutting tobacco; all lovers of tobacco 

 gTcatly preferring the natural flavor, and then, too, many accidents happen 

 yearly from the use of fire. The difference in the sale of one good, ripe, fnr- 

 nace-cured crop will pay for all the outlay for furnaces and fixtures for twenty 

 years, and the heating process is more uniform and takes less fuel. To those 

 that have no furnaces, a small portion of fire will be sufficient to (;ifect the object. 

 If, however, the weather is warm and damp, the atmosphere will not aid very 

 materially in curing the plant, and unless firing is resorted to the plant is cer- 

 tain to be more or less injured. It is always safer, after a house is filled with 

 green tobacco, to rely mostly upon the action of the fires to a considerable 

 extent. These should be small and slow at first, aud continue so until the 

 tobacco is clear of the moisture engendered by the fire, and then the fire should 

 be increased until the leaf is nearly cured. When this is the case, the fires 

 should be allowed to go out, arid the tobacco be suffered to come in case, or get 

 soft again. The quality of the article will be improved by permitting it to come 

 in case once or twice before it is thoroughly cured in stem and stalk. Dry and 

 sound wood is best for firing. If the obj'^et of the planter is to make a piebald 

 or fancy article, care should be taken ucrer to permit the ]e;if to get very soft 

 during the curing process ; and to m'lko a really fancy article, the tobacco must 

 be thoroughly yellowed first, and then be cured entirely by tire. This particu- 

 lar description of tobacco is, however, not more desirable or valuable to the 

 consumer, as the essential properties of the plant are frequently destroyed by 

 the action of the fire. As a general thing, it is better to cure the plant by a 

 natural process of air and the action of the atmosplier." ; and where ihc planter 

 is provided with a sufficient quantity of room to house the cj-op without crowd- 

 ing too close, the object can be obtained without the aid of much fire, a:id the 

 wood and danger of burning the crop be saved, and in some markets incrfjxse 

 the value of the crop. 



Stripping and bulking. 



Having now arrived at the time when it is supposed the planter has secured 

 and cured the crop, we proceed to give some directions in its future management 

 and preparation for market — remarking that many, after all their previous crare 



