370 



TOBACCO 



depend upon the thoroughness of the preparation before the plants 

 were set. Later, shallow cultivation is usually practiced until the 

 plants are so large as to be in danger of injury by the process. 

 The production of seeds by plants takes from the leaf stem 

 much of its value and size. For this reason topping or cutting off 

 the blossom stems is necessary. The skilful grower learns the 

 proper stage at which to do this work. Under certain conditions 



FIG. 259. Tennessee tobacco barn used in curing dark tobacco, by fire process of removing 

 the moisture. (Productive Farm Crops.) 



suckers may develop in the angles of the leaves from the main 

 stem as a result of the topping. The continued growth of suckers 

 will reduce the growth of valuable leaves. It is often necessary 

 to go through a field a number of times, not only to cut flower 

 stems, but to remove the suckers. 



It is a good plan to select a few good plants in the fields for 

 production of seed (Fig. 256). On these the flower stems are not 

 removed, and the grower will thus produce his own improved seed 

 from plants well suited to his own soil. 



Harvesting and Curing. Toward the end of the season as the 

 leaves mature the plants are cut by hand and taken on racks (Fig. 



