308 



TOBACCO LEAF. 



are in blossom, but should be done just as soon as the 

 required number of leaves can be secured. The leaves 

 coming out from the stalk within six inches of the 

 ground, should not be counted, and'they are primed off 

 or left on, as one may be an advocate of priming, or 

 opposed to it. The arrangement of the leaves about the 

 stalk in pairs makes it easy to top without counting. If 

 ten leaves are to be left on each plant, then the upper 



FIG. 92. SCKEW PRESS FOR PRIZING TOBACCO, WITH HOGSHEAD IN 

 POSITION. 



leaves will hang directly over the lower ones. If eight 

 or twelve are to be left, the top leaves are found nearly 

 at right angles to the lower ones. 



The quality of the product is greatly influenced by 

 the number of leaves left upon the plant. The majority 

 of planters of the heavy-tobacco districts have long been 

 of the opinion that not morethan ten leaves should be 



