72 TOBACCO. 



which, by a rope fixed to one corner, is pulled up in the 

 house and there hung upon the sticks, which are regulated 

 at proper distances. A ' tobacco-hor.se ' is nothing more 

 than three small sticks nailed together so as to form a 

 triangle, each side being 3-4 feet long. Spearing is tte 

 plan I pursue ; because it is neat enough and decidedly 

 the quickest plan. A rough block, with a hole mortised 

 in it, and a little fork a few inches from the hole for the 

 tobacco-stick to rest upon, one end being in the hole and 

 a spear on the other end of the stick, is all the apparatus 

 required ; the plant is then, with both hands, run over 

 the spear and thus strung upon the sticks, which, when 

 full, are taken to the house and hung up at once. There 

 are ' dart-spears,' like the Indian dart, and ' round 

 spears.' Either will do. ' Splitting ' tobacco is admired 

 by many, who contend that it cures brighter, quicker, and 

 is less likely to ' house-burn ' or injure from too thick 

 hanging. This mode is pursued easily by simply splitting, 

 with a knife made for the purpose, the plant from the top 

 to within a few inches of the bottom, before it is cut 

 down for housing." 



Another planter observes that " when a plant begins to 

 ripen, it will gradually assume a ' piebald ' or spotted 

 appearance. As the ripening advances, the spots will 

 become more distinct and individualized. When the 

 spots can be distinguished at the distance of 10 steps, 

 and the leaves of the plant turn down, become stiff to the 

 touch, and their ends curl under, the plant is ripe, and 

 should be cut. From the moment it has arrived at 

 maturity, it begins to decay. Eemember that all the 

 plants in your crop are to be hung after they are cut — 



