TOBACCO CULTURE. 47 



and finger, and, if it cracks at the fold, it is a sure indication 

 of ripeness and readiness for harvest. 



Cuban tobacco should be harvested in a somewhat 

 greener condition than other varieties. The method of 

 harvesting depends greatly on the kind of tobacco. Suma- 

 tra tobacco is more commonly "primed," that is, each indi- 

 vidual leaf is examined and picked as it reaches the highest 

 grade possible. They are strung upon strings for curing, 

 and this is done to a large part of the yellow tobacco. 

 Other tobaccos are harvested by cutting the entire plant 

 close to the ground. 



The plants are then hung up, by one of several meth- 

 ods, in the curing barn for drying or barn curing. The 

 Cuban grower cuts the entire plant into sections, each hav- 

 ing two leaves. These sections of plants are hung, or 

 "straddled" upon single poles which are carried upon the 

 shoulders of two men to the curing barn. By this method 

 the top leaves of the plant must be less mature than older 

 ones. With cigar tobaccos the method of priming, or pick- 

 ing a few lower leaves before the entire plant is to be har- 

 vested, is recommended although not in general use. 



After the plant is cut, it should be allowed to wilt thor- 

 oughly before further handling. By this means, serious in- 

 jury from the breaking off of brittle leaves is avoided. 

 Care must be taken, however, lest the leaves become 

 scorched, or sun-burnt; brief exposure to the direct rays of 

 the sun will do serious injury. 



Most American tobacco is suspended in some manner 



