422 TOBACCO LEAF. 



way ; those from the next row should be laid with the 

 butts towards those of the first row, and so proceed 

 until all is cut that can be attended to. Some think a 

 better way is to lay them down lengthwise with the row 

 itself, lapping them partly over each other, as the plant 

 does not have to be moved out of the row and there is 

 not so much danger of injuring the leaves. 



The practice of scaffolding in the field, once almost 

 universal, has been largely discontinued throughout the 

 cigar-leaf States. A -majority of farmers now carry the 

 plants directly to the barn without any previous wilting, 

 save what is possible while lying on the ground awhile. 

 On scaffolds, heavy rains will wash off more or less of 

 the gum. Even those who follow the practice seldom 

 leave the stalks on the scaffold longer than three days. 



The simplest convenience for transporting to the 

 barn is the best, as illustrated and described in Part II. 

 If the plants are to be strung on poles in the barn, the 

 old way, substitute for the wagon body a long, flat rack, 

 upon which load the plants from each side, butts out, 

 letting the tips overlap each other alternately in the 

 center. Load regularly and evenly, care being taken 

 not to break or damage the leaves in handling. Four 

 or five hundred plants may be carried at a load. If the 

 day is very hot, drive to the shed rapidly, or the load 

 may heat, especially if the distance is long. All large 

 sheds should be provided with wagon doors so that a 

 team can drive directly in. IE the weather is hot, the 

 plants should be laid on the ground floor, only 

 one plant deep. If the day is cool and they are to be 

 hung up soon, they may lie much thicker. The doors 

 are left open until the tobacco is thoroughly wilted and 

 the leaves lie straight, when it is strung and hung. 



The wagon rack, in Fig. 119, is very simple. An 

 independent rack in forward holds up two upright 

 posts, which are framed on top to two 4x6 timbers, 28 



