262 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



the leaf is thoroughly cured to tlie stalk from 6 to 10 weeks. 

 It is then taken down, in a damp day (to prevent the leaves from 

 crumbling,) and placed in large piles by letting the tops of the 

 plants lap each other, leaving the butts of the plants out. It re 

 mains in these heaps from 3 to 10 days, before it is stripped, 

 depending on the state of the weather, bat must not be allowed 

 to heat. When stripped, it is made into, or tied in 3 small 

 &quot; hands,&quot; the small and broken leaves being kept by themselves. 

 When fit for market, it is collected in large quantities,andslightly 

 pressed in boxes containing about 400 Ibs. each. 



1 O 



576. In some places in the South, it is the custom to dry the 

 leaf by fires, a process which requires much care and experience ; 

 and a peculiar class of buildings or sheds. The seed-bed is also,, 

 at times, burned or charred before the seed is sown ; a process 

 which, in certain soils only, enriches the soil by setting free the 

 inorganic nourishment ; adds ashes, from the fuel consumed ; and 

 destroys the seeds of weeds, but also much of the organic mat 

 ter of the soil. 



577. In Kentucky and Indiana, and some other districts, hogsheads 

 are used for packing. The hogshead should be 4% feet long, and 3} 

 broad in the head, with a bulge only sufficient ;ohold the hoops. Such 

 a cask should hold, without too hard pressing, which is injurious, 1300 

 or 1400 Ibs. of net tobacco. The cask should weigh 150 or 160 Ibs. 

 Ash timber is the best for the purpose. 



578. The crop varies from 1000 to 2000 Ibs. of dry leaf to- 

 the acre, according to the variety, closeness of planting, and soil. 

 An average crop of 2700 Ibs. has been grown on several acres. 

 In France the crop is stated to be 4000 Ibs. ( Col-man.) 



579. The following was the cost of cultivating one acre in Massachu 

 setts in 1845 : 



Interst on land, $15.00 



10 carts of manure. @ $2.50 25.00 J , fi w 



Carting and spreading, 5.00 j u &quot; 



Plowing twice, - 3.PO 



Harrowing nnd marking, - - - 1-00 



Si&quot;Ven thousand tobacco plants, - . 3.50 



Holding and setting, - 3-0* 



