130 TOBACCO. 



One unaccustomed to the crop, upon examining it at this 

 period, would be sure to think it was rotting, but if not 

 too damp when packed, there is no danger. Sometimes, if 

 a case is known to be too wet, the lids can be started, to 

 give a little vent to the steam and gases which are gene- 

 rated, and this is about all that can be done for it ; and it 

 is far safer to see that the proper condition is secured 

 before packing, than to do even this. The weight will 

 commence to decrease about as soon as the heat commences, 

 and it has been ascertained by weighing at the various 

 stages, that more than half of the shrinkage is accom- 

 plished by the time that the sweat has reached its culmi- 

 nating point. About 10 per cent, is allowed for the 

 shrinkage of a crop, in just the right state when packed ; 

 if wetter, it will shrink as high as 12-13 per cent., and if 

 very dry, it may shrink less than 10 per cent. The 

 different grades usually bring about the following prices : 

 Wrappers, 14 cents per lb. ; Seconds, 7-8 cents ; Fillers, 

 3-4: cents. The proportion of the different grades in a 

 good crop should be, Wrappers, three-fifths, and Seconds 

 and Fillers, each one-fifth." 



Judson Popenoe thinks boxes " should be made 30 

 inches square by 42 inches in length outside ; saw the end- 

 boards 28 inches long, nail them to two l|-inch square slats 

 so that the head will be 28 inches square; when two 

 heads are made, nail the sides of the box to the heads so 

 as to come even with the outside of the head, the sides 

 being 28 inches wide ; then nail the bottom on firmly ; 

 the top can be nailed slightly until after the tobacco is 

 packed, when it can be nailed firm. Set your box by the 

 side of the bulk, and let one hand get in the box and 



