TOBACCO CULTURE 51 



way: In the process of curing, the leaf attracts the moist- 

 ure from the mud and logs while it is in the drying state. 

 This fact is especially noticeable, and the flavor more im- 

 paired, during damp weather. The ordinary brick furnace 

 and ii inch flue furnish the heat in both barns. 



Farmers who cannot afford to build frame barns at the 

 start will find the following directions for the erection of 

 log barns useful: The best size is 16x16 feet inside, and 16 

 feet from the ground to the plate. Cut poles about the size 

 of those used in an ordinary log building, and 18 feet in 

 length. Remove the bark from them. Place blocks at 

 each corner 12 inches high. Put the poles in position, and 

 notch them into each corner, till the building measures 15 

 feet high from the ground to the plate. In carpenter's par- 

 lance, put on a "square roof" covering it with shingles or 

 boards, leaving an opening 6 inches wide under the comb 

 the entire length of the building. Fit a 12 inch board over 

 this space, and fasten it to the comb with hinges, so that it 

 can be opened and shut as desired. The poles commence 7 

 feet from center to center, the next set comes in directly 

 above, 18 to 22 inches higher, and so on t.ll body and roof 

 of the building are filled in. Fill in the open space under 

 the sills with logs. Make the building tight by daubing in- 

 side and out with clay or lime mortar. The heat of curing 

 is furnished by a brick furnace and flues. Over the door end 

 there should be a shed 12 feet wide to protect the tobacco 

 from the sun while it is being strung, and at the furnace 

 end, one 5 or 8 feet wide. Those who are building frame 



