44 



pole-sweat, wliicli is the same as rot. All we have to 

 do from the time the tobacco is hung up, until it is 

 ready to strip, is to keep a current of air circulating 

 through it, till it is cured, which is about three months. 

 "When cured, we watch the first opportunity, when the 

 weather is damp and rainy, to open all air-holes to let 

 in the damp air ; for the leaves get so dry that they 

 break very badly without they are dampened. 



" In shipping, all the first quality g'oes by itself, then 

 second quality, and lastly fillers, which consists of rub- 

 bish of all sorts. A smart man will earn from $1.50 

 to $2 a day in stripping. But enough of tobacco, 

 though if I can enlighten any one, by answering ques- 

 tions on the subject, I am willing to do so. 



"JOHX C. EGBERTS, 



" Tariffville, Conn." 



ATI.-ILtfiVESTIXG AXD CURIXG. 



As regards the time, two things are to be considered: 

 1st. At what stage is the crop most valuable, provided 

 it can be harvested at the moment ? and 2d. To what 

 extent should a consideration of time required to secure 

 the whole crop, and of the dangers which thicken around 

 it just before harvest, induce the tobacco-grower to 

 commence operations a little in advance of the stage, 

 which, in the abstract, seems best ? The question is not, 

 "When is the crop exactly in the best state, for cutting ? 

 for it cannot always be cut the very day one would pre- 

 fer ; but. When is it best, all things considered, to com- 

 mence cutting ? 



Mr. Geddes' view of this question is, that, when the 

 topping is done, which is to be as soon as the blossoms 

 appear, then break off all the suckers, and persecute to 



