HARVESTING TOBACCO 



469 



several times to remove these suckers, since they continue 

 to appear as long as the plant is growing. If they are 

 allowed to develop, they reduce the value of the leaves on 

 the main stalk by depriving them of much plant food. 

 640. Harvesting the Crop. Two methods of harvesting 



Figure 151. — Harvesting tobacco. The stalks are strung on laths and loaded on 

 the frame on the wagon, to be hauled to the barn for curing. 



tobacco are in common use. Where cigar-leaf tobacco is 

 grown, the leaves are commonly ''primed"; that is, the lower 

 leaves, which always mature first, are first removed, and the 

 others taken off as they ripen. Other grades of tobacco are 

 commonly harvested by cutting the entire plant with a corn 

 knife or a special knife devised for the purpose. The proper 

 stage of ripeness is indicated by a slight yellowing of the 

 leaves and by several other tests known to the grower, 

 such as the ''feel" of the leaves and the l^rittleness of the 

 veins. The plants are usualty ready to harvest about a 

 month after topping. 



Where the leaves are cut singly, they are strung on laths, 

 which pierce them near the base, thirty to forty leaves being 

 put on a lath. If the entire plant is cut, from four to six 

 are put on a lath, according to the size of the plant. A 



