50 



is, that tobacco cut early and fully ripe, will cure well 

 and be of good quality under the most unfavorable cir- 

 cumstances, while that which comes late into the house 

 is difficult to cure and of inferior grade. After the hous- 

 ing of tobacco is all accomplished, and the cool weather 

 begins, the house should be closed with green bushes, 

 or fence-rails set up on end close around on the outside 

 of the house, to exclude damp air and beating rains, 

 which generate mould, &c." 



We now quote from Judge Beatty, of Kentucky, on 

 Southern Agriculture. Our object is, to give the reader 

 a distinct account of the processes most approved in 

 that State, by the pen of a Kentuckian. Judge Beatty 

 says : 



''Tobacco must be split while standing; and such 

 hands as can readily distinguish between the ripe and 

 green plants, should be employed in the splitting pro- 

 cess. The most convenient knife for splitting tobacco 

 is in form, somewhat like a broad chisel, except that the 

 blade should be very thin. It should be three and a 

 half inches wide, and of the same length, having at- 

 tached to it a thin spear or shank, to be inserted in a 

 handle about a foot long, having a cross-piece on the 

 top, to be held by the hand. After the spear is inserted 

 in the handle, the latter should be shaved flat on two 

 sides, to prevent the end of the handle next the spear 

 from striking against tho top of the tobacco-stalk as 

 the knife is run down. With this instrument a skillful 

 operator can split the standing plants with great rapid- 

 ity. They should not be split nearer to tke ground than 

 six inches. 



"The cutter may follow immediately after the splits 

 ter, or at any convenient time afterwards. A common 

 hemp-hook is the best instrument for cutting tobacco. 

 The cutting-season is a critical time for the tobacco- 

 crop. It is subject to a variety of casualties; and with- 

 out particular care, is liable to sustain great and irre- 

 parable injury. It is subject ta be bruised in handling, 



