fast to the pole; thus continue, leaving' each plant sepa- 

 rate, leaving about G inches space between the butts, or, 

 if the poles are small, give more space. The poles or 

 rails should be from 3 to 5 inches through. I hang 

 about 40 plants on a rail of 12 feet in length. If plants 

 are small, more may be hung. If tobacco is crowded on 

 the poles it will pole-sweat the leaf, thicken, and become 

 tender and worthless. 



The plants are handed to the person that hangs, and 

 should be shaken to prevent the leaves from sticking to 

 each other. 



When through hanging, the building should be opened 

 and allowed a free circulation of air for 2 or 3 weeks, 

 especially if the weather is warm. If cool, less time 

 will answer. To open, and allow a hot sun on the 

 tobacco, would burn it. Open on the other side of the 

 building. When tobacco is ready to strip, the stem of 

 the leaf will be thoroughly dried and hard to the main 

 stalk. This generally occurs about the first of Decem- 

 ber ; the building is then to be opened on some damp 

 day, and is to be dampened by the atmosphere. The 

 rain should not be allowed to drive on to the tobacco. 

 When sufficiently moist, it will be soft like a kid glove. 



It is then carefully taken down by drawing a knife 

 on the pole, and taken to the stripping house, which 

 should be a tight building, and piled, the tips inside, 

 the butts out, and covered with old sail or carpeting, as 

 convenient. Tobacco should not be piled thicker than 

 12 or 15 inches at this time, if you have sufficient room, 

 as the main stalk is very green, and will injure the leaf 

 in a few days. 



Tobacco should be stripped in 2 or 3 days at the 

 farthest. If it gets warm, it can be moved. This will 



