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TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 

 TOPPING AND SUCKEKING OF TOBACCO. 



The best growers top low at from ten to fourteen leaves, estimating the gain from low topping at 25 per cent., 

 and is commenced as soon as the blossom buds make their appearance. If the season is late, or the plant weak, 

 a smaller number is left. Topping is now done much lower than formerly. Many, however, still top to as high as 

 twenty leaves, and the result is late maturity, with small, imperfect top leaves. Seed-Leaf is topped fourteen days 

 before cutting, but domestic Havana is allowed to stand thirty to forty days after topping. The time is varied as 

 to both, however, by the season. Cutting is done from August 15 to October 10. 



The suckers are kept carefully pulled out as soon as they are long enough to remove, and this is done as often 

 as they appear. Worming is done at the same time. 



CUTTING OF TOBACCO. 



Knives are generally used in cutting, though several appliances for cutting without injuring the plant have 

 been tried. Many use a long-handled hatchet with a thin blade. Bending the plants, they are cut off with a stroke. 

 The best time for cutting depends on the weather, and if very hot and dry this should be done after four o'clock in 

 the afternoon. During the night they will have wilted sufficiently to haul to the shed by nine or ten o'clock the 

 next morning. In mild or cloudy weather the plants may be cut at any hour. Most growers haul to the shed and 

 then string on laths, and the latter method is growing in favor. A "horse" is made of scantling, 5 by 4 inches, and 

 6 or 7 feet long, one end on the ground, the other raised 2| or 3 feet on two legs. In the raised end a slot receives 

 one end of the tobacco lath, the other projecting forward. A knife, 5 to 7 inches long, sharply pointed and edged, 

 with a socket at one end, is placed on the end of the lath, and by means of the sharp point from six to ten plants 

 are placed on the stick, (a) The stick is then removed, and the knife serves for the whole crop. Laths cost $1 75 per 

 thousand, and with proper care will last several years. The sticks are generally removed from the " horse" at once 

 to the wagon and placed on the rack. The rack is made the full width of the wagon, and as long as is convenient, 

 and in width is 4 feet, or the length of a stick, and as high as the longest plants. The rear end is left open for 

 convenience in loading. This is the most convenient and economical way of hauling, and exposes the plant to the 

 least danger of injury. 



'- '.. ' '*" -. '*' 



TOBACCO-SHEDS. 



A description of one of the best barns or sheds in Onondaga will answer for a number of its class. It is built 

 with well-laid stone foundation walls, with windows 4 feet long and 15 inches wide for ventilation and lap doors. 

 On this foundation the building is erected, 24 by 80, or 28 by 100 feet, and 20 to 24 feet high, with tiers 5 feet apart. 



a A cut iu the chapter ou Mary laud, p. Dl, shows a device for the same purpoa* 



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