TOBACCO FOR MARKET 177 



tobacco, the leaves are gathered separately as they ripen. 



Curing is of three main types: (1) air curing in well- 

 ventilated buildings; (2) open fire curing in closer barns with 

 fires on the floor after the plants have yellowed a few days; 

 (3) flue curing in tight barns with furnaces and flues. The 

 last method requires most skill but least time, and smaller 

 buildings may be used. 



Stripping and sorting is done after curing at a time when 

 the leaves are moist enough to be handled without loss. 

 Grades depend upon length of leaf, injury, texture, color, 

 and curing. It can then be tied into hanks and bulked. It 

 is now ready to be stored for future marketing. 



Varieties for dark tobacco are Yellow Mammoth, Pryors, 

 and Orinocos, with their many derivatives. These are usually 

 fire-cured. White Burley is the leading air-cured variety. 



REVIEW. 



1. Compare tobacco as a money crop with some other crops of the 

 United States. 



2. Mention the different classes of tobacco. 



3. Describe the starting of the crop. 



4. Tell what you can of the field care. 



5. What are the two methods of harvesting? 



6. Outline three methods of curing. 



References to Bulletins on Tobacco. United States Farmers' 

 Bulletins: 416, 523, 571, 595, 846, 867. Kentucky Station bulletins 

 129 and 139. 



