132 WALL'S MANUAL 



and gummy to the touch, at which time the end of 

 the leaf, by being doubled, will break short. It ought 

 not to be cut just after a rain, as the leaves have then 

 lost their gummy feel ; in a day or two the gum will 

 again coat the surface of the leaf. 



About this period the cultivator is apt to be ren- 

 dered anxious by the fear of allowing the plants to 

 remain too long in the field. He should be on his 

 guard, not to destroy the quality of his tobacco by 

 cutting it too soon. When the cutting is to com- 

 mence, there should be procured a quantity of forked 

 stakes, set upright, with a pole, or rider, sitting on 

 each fork, ready to support the tobacco and keep it 

 from the ground. 



The plant is then cut obliquely, even with the 

 surface of the ground ; then, Rafter tying two stalks 

 together, they are gently placed across the riders or 

 poles prepared to receive them. In this state they 

 are allowed to remain in the sun or open air until the 

 leaves are somewhat wilted. Than place as many 

 plants on each pole as can be conveniently carried, 

 and take them to the drying house, where the tobacco 

 is strung off on frames prepared to receive it, leaving 

 a small space between the two plants, that air may 

 circulate freely among them and promote their drying. 

 As the drying advances, the stalks are brought closer 

 to each other, to make room for those which remain 

 to be housed. 



In drying the tobacco, all damp air should be 

 excluded, nor should the drying be hastened by the 

 admission of high, drying winds. This process is to 

 be promoted in the most moderate manner, except in 

 rainy seasons, when the sooner the drying is effected 



