CROP-GATHERING. 



325 



moth, whose egg produces these larvae, is a large white 

 miller of unusual size and prolificness. Liberal and kind 

 masters would frequently offer the negro children a reward 



WORMING. 



for every miller captured, and many were the pennies won 

 in this way. One of these insects, placed one evening under 

 an inverted tumbler, was found next morning to have depos- 

 ited over two hundred eggs on the glass. 



" As the plant matures the leaves grow heavy, and, thick 

 with gum, droop gracefully over from the plant. Then as 

 they ripen, one by one the plants are cut, some inches below 

 the first leaves, with short stout knives, scythe or reaper is 

 useless here, and hung, heads down, on scaffolds, in the 

 open air, till ready to be taken to the barn. A Virginia 

 tobacco-barn is totally unlike any other building under the 

 sun. Square as to the ground plan, its height is usually 

 twice its width and length. In the center of the bare earthen 

 floor is the trench for firing ; around the sides runs a raised 

 platform for placing the leaves in bulk ; and, commencing at 

 a safe distance from' the fire, up to the top of the tall 

 building, reach beams stretching across for the reception of 

 the tobacco-sticks, thick pine laths, from which are suspended 

 the heavy plants. Safely housed and beyond all danger of 

 the frost, whose slightest touch is sufficient to blacken and 

 destroy it, the crop is now ready for firing, and through the 

 late autumn days blue clouds of smoke hover over and 

 around the steep roofs of the tall tobacco-barns. A stranger 



