466 PRIZING. 
manure. In this very bad condition, I still persisted in trying 
to save what I supposed might remain entire in the interior 
of the lump, and at last prevailed so far over the ignorance 
and prejudice by which tad been ridiculed, as to effect an 
overhauling and repacking of this damaged commodity and to 
save a proportion thereof very far beyond what I myself had 
expected. Some of the heart of this was so highly improved, 
that I haveseldom seen tobacco equal to it for chewing, or for 
immediate manufacture ; and what was repacked was sold toa 
tobacconist in Water Street, Philadelphia, at a price so little 
reduced below the ordinary market, that the man very frankly 
told me, that if he could have had the whole drowned tobacco in 
a short time after it was saved from the wreck, he would have 
made no difference in the price but would rather have prefer- 
red it for immediate manufacture, as it would have spared him 
some little labor in a part of the process.” 
Prizing tobacco applies to the packing of tobacco in hogs- 
heads all such leaf being used for cutting purposes, cigar leaf 
being either cased or baled. In some sections about 800 
pounds net is packed in one parcel, while in others 1000 
pounds and sometimes even 1500 and 1800 pounds. “Seed 
leaf” tobacco in this country is all packed in cases instead of 
hogsheads, each case containing from 375 to 400 pounds net. 
It is necessary that all kinds of tobacco should be pressed in 
some kind of package before it is ready to be manufactured. 
There are exceptions, however, as in the case of Latakia 
tobacco, which is simply hung in the peasant’s huts through the 
winter to be fumigated and to acquire the peculiar flavor this 
tobacco has. Tobacco in good condition to case must be damp 
enough to bear the pressure in casing without breaking and 
crumbling, while it must not be too moist or it will rot in the 
case. The numberof pounds to the case will vary according 
to the size of the leaf, as well as the condition of the tobacco. 
When ready to case the “hands” are packed in the case, 
laying them in two tiers. The case being nearly full the 
contents are then subjected to a strong pressure until it is 
reduced to one half its bulk, then another layer is placed in 
the case and again pressed, and succeeded by as many as are 
‘required to fillthe case. The tobacco should be packed evenly 
in layers with the ends of the leaves touching one another or 
