446 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Sucker ing. A few days after topping, the suckers, or young shoots, will start from 

 the axils of the upper leaves. These should be broken off close to the stalk as soon as they 

 are at least three or four inches long. If a short end is left in breaking, it will be liable to 

 tear the leaves in subsequent handling; besides, the water from rain or dew will produce 

 decay of the portion left, causing the leaf to look sickly and sometimes fall. If the suckers 

 are permitted to grow, they will greatly injure the crop, as they will take, just so much 

 growth and nutriment from the leaves, which constitute the product. 



In about ten or twelve days after suckering, the crop will generally be ready to cut. 

 Just before cutting, however, the suckers should all be broken from the stalk again, as they 

 will grow fast. The worms should also all be removed, none being allowed to remain on 

 the plants when harvested. Working among the growing plants when they are wet from 

 rain or dew will sometimes cause rust upon the leaves, and should be avoided. Some varie 

 ties of tobacco will send out suckers faster than others. 



Cutting. Tobacco should be cut when fully mature. If left to stand beyond this 

 period and over-ripen, the leaf will not, when cured, be as soft and silky, and hence not as 

 well adapted for wrappers. Longer standing will, however, give a somewhat heavier pro 

 duct, but the weight will be gained at the expense of the quality. 



The time for cutting is determined by the appearance of the leaf, which changes its 

 color to a somewhat yellowish cast, and becomes slightly spotted or marbled, especially when 

 looked at towards the light. Sometimes this appearance seems a faint mottling of the leaves 

 with spots of a lighter green. As a general rule, it will be ready to cut in about ten or 

 twelve days after topping, according to the weather. When the weather is hot and dry, the 

 ripening will proceed more rapidly than when cool or wet. Another indication of ripeness 

 is in the feeling of the leaves, which will seem thicker than they did a few days before, and 

 will crack when folded and lightly pressed between the thumb and finger. The leaves will 

 also become rustling and stiff. It is somewhat difficult for an inexperienced person to deter 

 mine when tobacco is fully ripe, the experienced eye being the only sure guide ; but the above 

 rules can be relied upon as the most definite that can be given. Over-ripening deteriorates 

 the quality of the crop; therefore it is best to commence harvesting as soon as the signs of 

 ripeness appear, as the last of the crop that is cut will be liable to become too ripe when left 

 later, if a large crop is to be gathered, since it ripens very fast. The juices in the stems of 

 that first cut will perfect the ripening process. 



It is very important that the crop be gathered before cold weather, as the least appear 

 ance of frost will ruin every leaf that it touches; hence, while it is well to have the crop suf 

 ficiently ripe before cutting, it had better be harvested before it is quite ripe, rather than run 

 the risk of losing the entire crop by frost. 



Various implements are used for cutting tobacco. A tobacco-hatchet is one of the best 

 we have ever used for this purpose. A cornstalk-cutter is also very good, while a butcher- 

 knife may be used to good advantage. Some prefer a small hand-saw. In cutting, the plant 

 should be bent over with the left hand, and the stalk cut close to the ground with a blow 

 from the hatchet, or a drawing cut with a knife. 



Very heavy tobacco is left for a time to wilt before being carried from the field, as the 

 leaves will be less liable to become bruised or torn by subsequent handling, but light varie 

 ties may be carried directly from the field with less liability of being injured. 



Tobacco should not be cut when wet with dew or rain, or in the middle of a very hot 

 day. Care must be taken not to let it remain in the field long enough after cutting to 

 become sunburnt. Rain should also be guarded against. If any is left cut in the field during 

 the night, it should be laid in heaps of a dozen or more plants in a place. If tobacco is thus 

 left in piles more than twelve or fourteen hours, there is danger from heating. 



As soon as the plants are sufficiently wilted after being cut, so that the leaves will not be 



