TOBACCO 



213 



a single return flue coming out at the same end of the barn as the fireplaces. 

 Some barns have the two flues independent of each other, in which case 

 both flues return to the front end of the barn. 



The tobacco, after being hung in the barn, is first given a low heat so 

 as to wilt the leaf and produce the yellow color. The temperature is then 

 rapidly increased so as to set the yellow color in the leaf and prevent the 

 leaves turning brown. As soon as the color is set the temperature is again 

 increased to cure the midrib, when the temperature is allowed to fall and 

 the tobacco to cool off. Three days and nights is the usual time taken to 

 cure a barn of tobacco by this 

 process. 



The sun-curing process is 

 similar to the air curing, the 

 difference being that the to- 

 bacco is allowed to wilt on 

 scaffolds before being placed 

 in the barn and when climatic 

 conditions are favorable it is 

 also sunned before being placed 

 in the barn. This process gives 

 the tobacco a delicate flavor 

 when smoked in the pipe. 



Preparation for Market. 

 — The first damp season after 

 tobacco is cured is usually the 

 best time to take it from the 

 tier poles and prepare it for 

 the market, especially with 

 cigar leaf tobacco. At this 



time the tobacco is soft and pliable, and can be handled without injury to 

 the leaf. The only grading done by the grower in preparing cigar leaf for 

 the market is to separate the leaves into three groups, namely, sand or 

 bottom leaves, middle leaves, and top leaves. Where the tobacco has 

 been cured on the stalk the leaves are stripped off and tied into hands con- 

 taining' about forty leaves. Where the tobacco has been primed, or leaves 

 picked off the stalk in the field, the cured leaves are simply bunched on 

 the string and the string wrapped around the butt-end of the leaves. 

 The tobacco is then packed in boxes and hauled to the packing house or 

 kept in the barn until a buyer comes. 



With the heavy, export and bright tobaccos, the grower usually grades 

 the tobacco into the commercial classes as sand lugs, lugs and wrappers, the 

 finer classification being performed by the buyer, who is usually a rehandler 

 of tobacco. 



These tobaccos are packed in hogsheads and remain for some time in 

 the warehouses to undergo an ageing process which mellows the tobacco 



Flue-curing Barn, Virginia. 



