CULTURE AND CURING IN KENTUCKY. 67 



CUTTING OF TOBACCO. 



The work of cutting and housing tobacco is commenced as soon as there is a sufficient number of ripe plants. 

 A proper condition of maturity is indicated by the general appearance of the plants: the loaves thick and heavy, 

 of grainy surface, and cracking easily when folded between thumb and forefinger, the points of the leaves curling 

 downward. The afternoon is preferred for cutting, because the plants may be allowed to wilt fully without danger 

 of sunburn. 



The cutting tool is usually an ordinary butcher-knife. Two rows are cut by each man, who selects the ripe 

 plants, splits the stalks half way down, cuts them off just below the bottom leaves, and places them upon the 

 ground to the right or left of the double row he is traversing. As two cutters are generally employed, four rows 

 of cut plants are thus brought together into a " heap row ; '. As soon as wilted enough to allow handling, the plants 

 are piled into heaps of eight, ten, or twelve, according to size, each pile having just the number intended to be hung 

 on one stick. The hangers follow, a tobacco-stick having been dropped at each pile by a helper. A stick is thrust 

 into the ground, so as to stand firmly at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the plants are hung upon it by 

 opening the split in the stalk and straddling them across the stick. 



As much is cut during the afternoon as can be handled and removed from the field before the heat of the next 

 day. The scaffolds are generally made in the corners of the fences inclosing the field. These are made by laying 

 three rails or poles on top of the fence, supported at the outer end b,y forks or other convenient means, so as to permit 

 two tiers of tobacco upon sticks to be hung on each scaffold. As the tobacco is hung the sticks are crowded together 

 as closely as possible. If the field is small, and the distance from the scaffold permits, the tobacco upon the sticks 

 is carried by hand and hung, but if it is necessary to employ a wagon for the purpose these sticks are placed 

 upon the wagon in "coops" or piles, outward and alternately at one or the other side of the pile, care being 

 observed to keep the plants straight and smoothly laid, to prevent bruising. The tobacco is allowed to remain on 

 the scaffold from three to five days, as the weather permits, when it is removed to the barn and placed upon the 

 tiers, ready for the final processes of curing. Some years ago the practice of scaffolding before housing was almost 

 abandoned. Recently this method of preparatory curing is adopted by the majority of planters, because the plant 

 is completely wilted and the texture softened, the leaf yellowing into a clear, golden color, and easily curing into 

 clear colors, with the required toughness and elasticity. 



When the crop is to be sun-cured alone, it is placed upon scaffolds in the open field, and it is there exposed until 

 cured or until threatening weather compels its removal to the barns or sheds. To obviate the necessity for removal 

 some planters construct a rough frame over the scaffold, which may be quickly covered with planks or boards. If 

 properly cared for when not in use, tarpaulins are quite as cheap as boards, and, as a protection against showers, 

 are brought into service in much less time. 



When tobacco is hung on the tier poles in the barn care is observed to open the plants upon the sticks and to 

 place the sucks apart upon the tiers, so as to admit of free ventilation. From seven to eight large plants or eight 

 to twelve smaller ones are hung upon each stick. The sticks being 4i feet long, and the tier poles placed 4 feet 

 apart, when the plants are evenly distributed upon the sticks, and the latter separated from G to 8 inches apart upon 

 the tiers, there is little danger of hoiise-burn. 



If possible, the plants are allowed to come to perfect maturity before cutting them; but in wet seasons, upon 

 the appearance of what is known as " field-fire", they must be cut prematurely, to prevent further serious loss in 

 both quality and weight. 



CURING OF TOBACCO. 



The object of curing, by whatever process, is to fix the qualities of the plant as to strength and elasticity of 

 texture, flavor, and color. Excellent quality may be lost by unskillful or improper curing, especially when done by 

 artificial heat, and the curing processes must be so managed as to dry out the water without other material alteration 

 of the constituent properties of fiber and tissue. 



Several years ago a product of dark colors was so much in demand that the practice became generally prevalent 

 of curing tobacco, as soon as it could be put into the barns, by hard-firing ; but it was found that this method 

 resulted in starchiness and stiffness of texture, destroying the pliancy and elasticity of the leaf, and in the loss of 

 oils by too rapid drying. This experiment proved conclusively that artificial heat should be used in curing to assist 

 the natural process, rather than to force it violently. 



A necessary preparation for curing by artificial heat is a thorough wilting of the plant, with perfect softness 

 and flexibility of the stem, fiber, and tissue of the leaf. In coming into this condition the color of the leaf is 

 changed from a green into a bright shading of yellow, and it is customary to delay the application of the heat 

 until this change of color has taken place. 



Open wood fires are in common use for curing the heavy-bodied types. Two large logs of partially seasoned 

 wood sire laid side by side and in contact upon, the earthen floor of the barn, and the fires are kindled with a few chips 

 and twigs of small brush between the logs, so that they may become well ignited. The fire is then so managed as 

 to burn continuously without blazing, which is to be avoided, because of the risk of setting fire to the dried tobacco 

 or of injury by forcing the curing too rapidly. A moderate heat at first, gradually increased to such temperature 



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