84 TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



triplex process of cultivation is pursued until the tobacco is nearly large enough to top. At that time the dirt is 

 thrown to the plant with a one-horse turning-plow, followed with the hoe, by which the dirt is more carefully 

 disposed about the stalks. The middles are then opened with a subsoiler, and the cultivation is finished. Should 

 grass shoot up after this, it will rather be an advantage than a disadvantage, as without it the lower tobacco leaves 

 an- liable to be spattered with dirt during heavy showers. 



PKIMING AND TOPPING OF TOBACCO. 



The tobacco plant is not "primed". In the Perique region about the 15th of May the seed -bud is pinched 

 out, leaving from twelve to eighteen leaves on each plant. The time, however, for "topping" varies with the soil, 

 and on sandy lands is from one to two weeks earlier than upon stiff, cold, argillaceous soils. 



SUCKEKING OF TOBACCO. 



One week after topping the suckers are pulled off and diligent search is made for the green worm. This 

 process must be repeated every week until the tobacco ripens, whieh is usually from four to five Aveeks after it is 

 topped. It is said that in the climate of Louisiana three suckers will come out in succession to every leaf, which 

 is uot the case in the colder climates of the middle and Atlantic states, where two suckers to the leaf is the 

 maximum. 



HIPENING TOBACCO. 



In the latter part of June or early in July the tobacco plants, if well cultivated, will show a yellowish, mottled 

 appearance, (he leaves being very crisp and easily broken. After it is ripe, heavy rains, followed by hot suns 

 often injure the crop by scalding. Heavy dews are beneficial, as the secretory organs of the plant are rendered 

 more active in storing up in the vesicular structure the rich juices and gum that give flavor and strength to the 

 cured product. 



CUTTING AND CUEING OF TOBACCO. 



Contrary to the practice in other tobacco-growing regions, the plants are cut during the hottest part of the 

 day and taken immediately to sheds. The stalk is not split in cutting, but is severed with a hatchet about '.'> 

 inches above the ground, leaving from two to three of the lower leaves on the stump, which are thought to be 

 worthless on account of the large amount of dirt adhering to them, they having served their purpose in keeping 

 the other leaves free from sand and dirt. After the tobacco has been taken to the sheds a number of boys and 

 girls are kept busily employed in sharpening pieces of cane from 3 to 4 inches long. These are driven one into 

 each stalk near the lower end, at such an angle as to form a hook. By these hooks the plants are suspended 

 upon a series of ropes stretched lengthwise in the shed, these ropes being a fopt apart, and the plants on the ropes 

 6 inches from each other. As the plants wilt the distance between them is lessened. Now begins the peculiar 

 manipulation of the Perique tobacco. As soon as the leaves become embrowned, and while the stem or midrib is 

 yet green, each one is carefully picked from the stalk and the green stem is pulled out. The first leaves are pulled 

 off in about ten days from the time the tobacco is put in the shed, and from one to three leaves at intervals of a 

 few days, until the whole stalk is stripped. As fast as the green stem is pulled out the leafy parts are made into 

 loose twists, each twist containing from twenty to thirty half leaves. These twists are packed in boxes 11 inches 

 square, capable of holding 50 pounds, which, when nearly full, are put under a simple lever press, the lever being 

 12 feet long, to which weights are attached, so as to secure a pressure on the tobacco of 7,000 pounds to the 

 square foot. Screw-presses are never used, for the reason that a continuous pressure is required in curing this 

 tobacco. After remaining in press for twenty-four hours it is taken out, opened, and thoroughly aired for a 

 few minutes, until the exuded juices, black, tarry, and thick, can be reabsorbed, when it is again placed under 

 pressure. This treatment is continued with each box for ten days in succession, every twist being opened, aired, 

 and turned, so that the juices will saturate the whole mass. From a light brown the tobacco grows darker each 

 day, until it shines in oily blackness. After ten days the manipulation becomes less frequent, once in three or four 

 days being sufficient. At the expiration of three months the 'tobacco is cured and emits a rich, spirituous flavor, 

 which has been imparted to it by the reabsorption of the aerated juices. Perique tobacco is cured and preserved 

 by the resinous gums contained in the natural leaf. The robe or wrapper leaves are handled with great care, and 

 are kept in twists by themselves while being cured under pressure. 



The next step is to put the tobacco into cylindrical rolls, or carottes, containing usually 4 pounds, though two, 

 and even one pound carottes are made for home consumption. To do this the tobacco is taken from pressure, and 

 each leaf is opened, straightened, and aired. Then a cloth, 24 inches long and about 15 inches wide, is laid upon 

 a table and covered with robe leaves, the bottom side of the leaf being turned uppermost, and the fibers so disposed 

 as to run to a point in a longitudinal median line of the cloth. A mat of leaves is then placed on the layer of robe, 

 a half inch or more in thickness, and extending nearly to the edges of the underlying cloth. A second cloth is 

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