The Tobacco Crop 233 



The leaves are then stripped off and packed in boxes 

 lined with paper, under which cords are passed at inter- 

 vals. These boxes are a foot deep and wide and three 

 feet long. The tobacco is packed on the paper lining 

 with the' butts of the leaves to the ends of the box and lap- 

 ping in the middle. The paper is then folded over the 

 top and the strings are tied across loosely. The bundle 

 thus formed is then lifted out and packed in piles with 

 other bundles made in the same way. 



The packers buy the tobacco in this shape from the 

 growers, the price being determined by the percentage of 

 good wrappers in the bundles. The packers sort the 

 leaves into first and second class wrappers, binders and 

 fillers. In sorting, the leaves are tied into hands of six- 

 teen leaves each. These are packed in bulk with the 

 butts out and the leaves lapping within on platforms ar- 

 ranged for a circulation of air beneath. The bulks are 

 four feet wide and as long as desired. The tobacco in 

 bulking should be quite moist, and the bulks are made 

 about four feet high. It is then covered with blankets 

 and weighted down. After remaining in bulk for a short 

 time it is ready for boxing. The boxes will average about 

 twenty-eight inches wide by three and a half feet long for 

 wrappers, and shorter for other grades. The tobacco is 

 placed lengthwise in these boxes and enough of pressure 

 is appHed to make the boxes run from 325 to 375 pounds. 

 Loose head boards are used in the ends of the boxes to 

 keep the butt an inch from the ends of the box. Pack 

 when in medium " case," that is medium state of moisture. 

 Lap the tops well and never put any tobacco crosswise the 

 box. The boxes are nailed up and placed on their sides 



