CURING. 123 



occurs especially with tobacco which, has been manured 

 with chlorides, which cause it to become more hygro- 

 scopic than when manured otherwise. If this occurs, 

 the mould must be brushed off, and, if necessary, the 

 tobacco be dried. The tobacco may now remain heaped 

 in the store-room until there is a chance for sale. It 

 must be remembered, however, that the best time for 

 selling varies very much. Some tobacco is fit for smoking 

 a few weeks after drying, whereas others may burn very 

 badly at that time, yet become a good burning article 

 after being stored for several months. 



After assorting, Perry Hull advises that the tobacco 

 '* be corded up awhile, in a dry place, that the butts may 

 be thoroughly cured before packing in the cases. The 

 pile is made with the butts out, and tips interlapping 

 in the middle, at every other course, at the ends turning 

 the .butts toward the end. Get upon the pile upon the 

 knees, take hold of the butt of a hank with one hand, 

 drawing the leaves at the tip together with the other, 

 and placing it upon the pile in that position, immediately 

 putting the knee upon it. After the pile is finished, it 

 should be covered over with boards, to keep it from 

 drying up, and a few days before packing into the cases, 

 should be well weighted down, which will save a great 

 deal of pressing at that time. Such a pile should be 

 made only about 2 J-3 feet high, and then closely watched 

 to prevent a premature sweat, which often, if the weather 

 be mild, will take place in such a pile, which will not 

 be sufficient to render the tobacco fit for working, but 

 which, if not intercepted at the commencement, will be 

 sufficient to prevent a proper sweat afterwards. Check, 



