450 HARVESTING IN VIRGINIA. 
grow after the leaves proper have been gathered.* Tobacco 
made from these bastard leaves is easily recognizable, the 
leaves being long and narrow, of a reddish color, and a bitter 
taste. 
. The mode of harvesting tobacco in Virginia at present is 
thus described by a Virginia planter :— 
“In bringing to the barn place the tobacco on scaffolds 
near the barn-door, so that it can be readily housed in case 
of rain. As Bright Wrappers and Smokers pay so much 
better than dark tobaccos, it is advisable, whenever practica- 
ble, to coal-cure all that ripens of a uniform yellow color. 
The quality of the leaf will determine the hanging: ‘Ship- 
ping’ should be hung seven to nine plants to the stick four 
and a half feet long. To cure the plants properly requires 
some experience, great care, and much attention. The plants 
should not be ‘cut’ until fully ripe. Be careful in cutting 
to select plants of a uniform size, color, and quality, putting 
six or seven to the stick. Let the plants go from the cutter’s 
hands on to sticks held in the hands of women or boys; and 
as soon as the sticks are full, place them carefully on wagons 
and carry them to the barn. Place the sticks on tiers about 
ten inches apart, and regulate the plants on the sticks. 
“It is impossible to lay down any uniform system or give 
specific instructions. General principles will be suggested to 
guide the planter amid the changeableness of seasons and 
variableness of material to be operated upon.” 
In Turkey— 
“The planters calculate always fifty-five days from May 
12th, for their crops to be ready for gathering. When the 
leaves show the necessary yellow tips, they are carried to the 
house, and there threaded into long bunches by a large, flat 
needle, about a foot long, passed through the stalk of each.” 
In Ohio the process of harvesting tobacco for cutting is 
thus described by a grower :— 
“When thoroughly ripe, having stood two or three weeks 
longer than is necessary for cigar leaf, it is ceey to cut. 
This is done with a knife made for the purpose. It resem- 
bles a wide chisel, except that the handle and chisel are at 
right angles. Before cutting, the stalk is split down through 
the center. Being ripe, it splits before the knife, and follow- 
ing the grain the leaves escape unharmed. This splitting is 
es = 
*Second crop, or Volunteer tobacco. 
