TOBACCO IN OHIO. 



331 



" The process of curing unfired, or air-dried tobacco, is 

 similar to the above, except the firing ; when so cured, it is 

 more difficult to condition, so as to make it keep ; but it 

 generally sells quite as well. Planters should be very care- 

 ful to have their Tobacco in good dry condition when they 

 deliver it to the dealer or purchaser, as it is all-important to 

 him to receive it free from dampness or moisture, which 

 bruises it and injures its quality. We think such manage- 

 ment as directed above would raise the value of Ohio to- 

 bacco as high as similar quality of Maryland." 



As when first cultivated, the Ohio growers still select new 

 land as the best adapted for tobacco, though not as easy of 

 cultivation. When the tobacco growers are ready for pre- 

 paring their " new ground " they invite in their friends and 

 neighbors, and the field is "grubbed" in a short time. 

 " Grubbing Day," with the. young people, is an event of no 

 common interest ; the farmers gather from the adjoining farms 

 and with mirth and muscle soon render the field fit for the "In- 

 dian herb." In the evening, the planter's home is filled with 

 the young people, bent on having a right good time, and 

 with " stripping the willow " and other games, close the day 

 if not the night in the most enjoyable manner. Many of 

 the country mer- 

 chants take the to- 

 bacco of the growers 

 when in condition to 

 handle, paying them 

 (or at least a portion 

 of it,) in goods, or 

 purchasing the to- 

 bacco as they do 

 other merchandise. 

 They have large 

 warehouses where 

 they receive and 

 pack the tobacco until shipped to market. In the early 

 Spring the growers take their tobacco to the workhouses, 

 where it is packed by the merchanta who frequently 



TOBACCO WAREHOUSE. 



