PACKING TOBACCO. 301 



enough to bear handling, and have a certain elasticity, 

 which is tested by stretching them gently over the 

 ends of the fingers and knuckles, and they pull like 

 kid leather, glowing with a kind of moist gloss, not 

 dry enough to break, or damp enough to ferment. 

 They are now unhung from the poles, and the leaves 

 stripped from the main stem, are gathered in small 

 bunches termed " hands," each of these are tied 

 round at the base of the stalks with another leaf, 

 making a kind of bandage. They are now packed 

 upon each other in regular rows, to dry sufficiently to 

 be placed in the cask. It will thus be seen, that from 

 the first planting of the seed to the ultimate packing 

 of the dry plant for exportation, it is a constant 

 solicitude to the planter. 



The hogshead to hold the tobacco is regulated by 

 standard to four feet six inches in height ; and will 

 hold a 1000 pounds of tobacco,* which is compressed 

 into a very solid mass. The small bunches being 

 dipsosed in layers, close to each other across the 

 hogshead, with the points of the leaves one way ; the 

 next course or layer is reversed, with the points in an 

 alternate direction; and the interstices are filled up 

 with smaller plants, so that a general even surface be 

 ensured.! The hogshead being about one-fourth part 

 filled, the whole is subjected to a strong pressure 



* This is by custom understood as the usual average. The legal re- 

 quirement is 950 lbs. 



+ The leaves are sometimes flavoured by sprinkling them with diluted 

 rum and molasses ; this is the custom in Virginia ; in Brazil a decoction 

 is used of an infusion of tobacco leaves and gum copal. 



