CURING TOBACCO. 217 



to become pliant from the absorption of moisture), and 

 dried out by fires. This alternation should be kept up 

 for two or three weeks ; and, indeed, whenever, during 

 the fall months, the tobacco gets very damp, it should 

 be dried out with fires. 



When the tobacco is taken directly from the field, 

 it should remain hanging in the barn for four or five 

 days. Slow fires should then be kindled under it, and 

 at the expiration of 24 hours, the heat may be increased, 

 as in the case of tobacco taken directly from the scaffold 

 to the barn. 



In the heavy shipping districts, at least 90 per cent 

 of the leaf is cured by open, wood fires. Two logs are 



r-1 



H H H H 



FIG. 59. HORIZONTAL VENTILATORS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST POLE 

 BURN OR POLE SWEAT. 



placed side by side and the fires kindled between them. 

 Small sticks of wood are supplied, to lay at the point of 

 contact of the logs, so as to keep them burning. Some 

 flue-cured tobacco is made in the heavy shipping dis- 

 tricts, but scarcely enough to make note of. The prin- 

 ciple and method of flue curing will be fully discussed 

 under the head of yellow tobacco. Flues may be built, 

 in a barn 20x20 feet, for about $15.00, including chim- 

 neys for carrying off the smoke. 



