64 



be packed. When packed in cases, it should be just 

 moist enough to pack without danger of breaking. 

 "When moist it is like a thin kid glove ; when dry, like 

 tinder. 



"After being packed in cases, it will go through another 

 sweating process, and lose from eight to twelve per 

 cent, in weight, and improve in quality by keeping. 

 Pack wrappers, which are the best leaves, in cases by 

 themselves, and so with seconds and thirds. Wrappers 

 are used for the outside covering of cigars ; tlie seconds 

 and thirds for binders and fillers. 



" With a simple recapitulation of prominent points, I 

 will now leave the subject. I advise no one to go into 

 the cultivation of tobacco extensively, at first, unless 

 acquainted with the business. Still, almost any one 

 having suitable land, may cure one half, to one acre, 

 without permanent buildings. Tobacco wants a warm, 

 rich soil, protected from winds, good cultivation, and 

 careful watching. 



" Plant seed, 1st of April ; transplant into field May 

 20th to June 10th ; middle of July to September 1st, top, 

 sucker, and hunt worms. Xo crop pays better for fre- 

 quent stirring of the soil. If but little is planted, the 

 hills may be made with a hoe. It is better to have the 

 ground fitted a little time before setting ; if so, scrape 

 off the hills with a hoe before setting. Reset as fast as 

 killed by worms. It is a good plan to plow in the fall 

 to kill out worms, as well for other crops as for tobacco. 

 The worms which feed upon the mature leaves are the 

 larvae of the Sjjhinx Carolina, color green, transversely 

 wrinkled, with oblique white lines on each side, and a 

 reddish caudal horn, exceedingly voracious, sometimes 

 ruining tomato as well as tobacco crops in a short time, 

 if not disturbed. These undergo their transformation 

 so deep under ground that the plow does not often reach 

 them. Top when the terminal bud appears — leave from 

 nine to fifteen leaves. The distance for planting in these 

 articles, is for very rich ground ; the poorer the soil, 

 the farther apart must the plants be. Every sucker left 

 takes just so much from the value of the crop. 



