CURING. 73 



hung on sometliing, and by something. Prepare a knife — 

 a butcher-knife answers well — have it sharp — enter it at 

 the top of the plant, where the top was broken off. 

 Enter it centrally ; press it downwards, dividing the 

 stalk into two equal portions. Continue it downwards 

 till within 5 inches of the ground. Withdraw the knife, 

 and cut off the stalk close to the ground. The plant is 

 now cut. Lay it on the ground with the lower end 

 towards the sun. The plants should be placed in rows as 

 they are cut, in order to facilitate the labour of gathering 

 them. There is one caution to be heeded in cutting 

 tobacco, and that is, do not let it be burnt or blistered by 

 the heat of the sun. In some varieties of tobacco this 

 will be effected in one hour ; in others, not so soon. 

 But this danger can be evaded in two ways : first, by 

 cutting late in the evening; second, by throwing it in 

 the shade, or covering it so as to weaken the power of the 

 sun. Some varieties of tobacco will wilt (that is, become 

 soft or limber) in 2 hours; others, in a longer time, 

 according to the degree of sun-heat." 



Bishop tells us that when " the plant begins to yellow 

 or turn spotted, it is time to put it away. It is cut off 

 close to the ground, turning up the leaves, and cutting 

 off close to the roots, by a single stroke of a hatchet, or 

 tobacco-knife, made of an old scythe, such as are used in 

 cutting up corn. After cutting, let it lie on the ground 

 a short time to wilt, when it may be handled without 

 danger of tearing the leaves ; it is then to be taken to the 

 house to be ' hung.' " 



The condition of the leaf, according to Pursley, may be 

 judged in the following manner: — "When the tobacco is 



