CURING. 85 



proportion of juice ; as the lower leaves have less sub- 

 stance, the fermentation is naturally weaker and lasts less 

 time ; but if the leaves are put in contact with those of a 

 stronger quality, the fermentation would be kept up by 

 the latter, and it would indispensably result that the 

 weak ones would rot, and their contact be injurious to the 

 stronger ones. But by separating, in the field, the leaves 

 of different consistencies which each tobacco stalk pro- 

 duces, this evil is avoided, and the dry rot is rendered 

 impossible, unless no care whatsoever is given in the 

 curing-house. Therefore, the mode of reaping should 

 be reformed. It is best to cut the tobacco when it is 

 thoroughly ripe, and in the wane of the moon, making 

 this operation in three sections or cuts, each of which 

 should always be placed on separate poles, in separate 

 rooms, heaps, and carefully picked. 



" The first cut should consist only of the pair of crown 

 leaves, and for the poles which they are hung on, a special 

 corner in the curing-house should be set apart. After the 

 first cutting, and 3 or 4 days of sun, the second and third 

 pairs of leaves will be ripe, and may be cut at one and 

 the same time, care being taken to place them on separate 

 poles and rooms ; and, lastly, 3 or 4 days after the second 

 cutting, the remainder of the leaves may be gathered, 

 but the last leaf near the ground should not be taken, as 

 it has no consistency, and therefore no value as tobacco, 

 and only serves to increase the work and give discredit to 

 the class of tobacco. 



" Tobacco should be cut during the hottest part of the 

 day ; each pair of leaves should be placed on the ground 

 face downwards, so that the sun may strike on the under 



