There are various operations necessary dur- 
ing the growth of the plant. The most import- 
ant of these for our purpose are those known 
as “priming’ or “thinning out” and “cutting.” 
Priming is usually done when the plant is well 
_advanced in growth,| but the time varies with 
different growers and according to the species. 
It consists in removing the lower or imperfect 
leaves from the plant, or these which have in 
_any way become injured from insect or other 
‘harmful agencies. As a general rule the larger 
‘the number of leaves there is on a plant the 
lower is the quality of the subsequently cured 
leaf. An average of about 10 leaves to each 
plant is what is favored by most growers, and 
.the plants are usually thinned to this extent. 
Seed buds are removed also at the same time 
and for the same reason. If the plants are 
“thinned” late and when they are approaching 
full growth the leaves removed are not des- 
troyed, but are cured separately and sold as 
inferior quality and are usually ¢alled “prim- 
ings” or “planters lugs.” 
In the Southern American States the time 
allowed for the growth and maturing of the 
plant is somewhat longer than in the eastern 
and more northerly states where the soil, owing 
to richer fertilization, favors the rapid growth. 
‘Moreover, a stronger quality of tobacco is 
24 
