CURING. 133 



them below those which had been above, so that they may 

 ferment and be equally pressed." 



For pressing tobacco into the hogshead, Hudson suggests 

 that " a hole be mortised in a tree, in which the end of 

 the lever can be inserted, passing over the hogshead, and 

 working by a tree or post, in which should be pins at 

 intervals of 8-10 inches, by which a small lever may be 



FIG. 13. 



used to force the first lever down on the tobacco ; 50-100 Ib. 

 may be placed in the hogshead and firmly pressed a few 

 hours, and as much added again, and so on. Fig. 13 will 

 serve to represent the manner in which the hands (or ties) 

 may be placed in the hogshead filling the middle first, 

 then the outer edges placing the tops toward the centre, 

 and observing to keep the centre and edges full." 



Improving. It is sometimes the custom to subject the 



