294 TiMEHRI. 



spots or stains (marble-like) and when they will break \ 

 off short and clean if bent. 



Drought also causes spots and stains on the tobacco 

 leaves ; these leaves must be removed at once and carried 

 to the scaffold or barn to be prepared for common leaf 

 tobacco. 



Cutting or Reaping of Tobacco. 



This must be undertaken on a fair day and when no 

 dew is on the leaves. 



When cut, lay the stalks smoothly on the ground 

 where cut and leave them in the sun to wilt for two 

 hours, now and then turning them, until they can be 

 handled without tearing or breaking, then transport to 

 the tobacco house. 



Before taking the tobacco to the scaffold re-examine 

 plants and cleanse all plants of tobacco cut from eggs 

 and caterpillars, which if not removed, hatch, feed upon 

 and destroy the tobacco while drying. 



The Scaffold or Drogery. 



Pegging is the best method of curing tobacco and can 

 safely be recommended ; its construction is as follows : 



Laths of 2 X 3 inches are fixed together (similar to a 

 screen) with wooden pins one foot apart, sharpened at 

 the end and thrust through the stems of the tobacco at a 

 short disiance from the end ; the leaves hanging down- 

 ward ; this assists the drying of the stem with the result 

 that it is accomplished much sooner. 



No fire is admissable in curing any sort of tobacco 

 except wrappers and fillers for the making of cigars, and 

 then only by flues. 



When the plants are sufficiently dried, judging by the 

 gterns becoming hard, the leaves may be stripped fron^ 



