PREPARING TOBACCO FOR MARKET 501 



653. Stripping and Grading. Moist days during the 

 winter are usually selected for stripping, or removing the 

 leaves from the stalks. In some localities, the tobacccLis 

 removed to a damp cellar before stripping. When the 

 leaves contain sufficient moisture, they may be handled 

 without cracking or breaking. Much depends on having 

 the leaves in proper "case;" that is, in having them contain 

 just enough moisture to handle readily. If they are too dry 

 or are "going out of case," they will continue to dry out 

 when bulked and become brittle; while if they are too moist 

 or in "too high case," they will become very dark when in 

 bulk. 



The leaves are sorted into from three to five grades as 

 they are stripped, the number of grades depending on the 

 type of tobacco and the use which is to be made of it. These 

 grades have different names in the different types, and vary 

 materially in their market value. The central leaves on the 

 stalks usually go in the best grade. After the leaves are 

 graded, they are tied in small bundles and these into larger 

 bundles, the form and size of the package depending some- 

 what on the kind of tobacco. Tobacco which is packed in 

 the winter will sweat in May, and must be hung out to dry 

 or it will rot. It may then be bulked and will keep indefi- 

 nitely, as will that which is put down in "summer order;" 

 i.e., allowed to hang in the curing shed over winter and then 

 stripped and packed the following summer. 



654. Marketing. The method of marketing depends on 

 the distance which the tobacco must be shipped. If factories 

 or warehouses are close by, it is marketed loose. If it must 

 be shipped a considerable distance, it is packed tightly into 

 hogsheads or large casks. The manner of packing depends 

 largely on the market. Only one grade should be put in a 

 package, and care should be exercised in packing in order to 

 obtain the best price. There are usually warehouses or 



