18 THE PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO UNDER SHADR. 
31 by 31 inches and 10 inches thick. The tobacco is baled by packing 
the hands into a false box. . A piece of matting is placed on the bot- 
tom of the box and another on the top of the tobacco when the box 
is filled. The top is now forced down by means of a press and 
held there until the edges of the two pieces of matting are sewn 
together, when the bale is made. The bale is now given a number, 
the weight and grade are marked on it, and it is stored away until 
sold. Before it can be shipped it must be covered with burlap and 
crated. 
MARKETING. 
Tobacco is sold by means of samples, four hands being considered 
a sample of shade tobacco. A manufacturer or jobber when wishing 
to purchase shade-grown tobacco looks over a number of samples and 
picks out those which suit his trade. If the price is satisfactory, a 
sale is made and the tobacco is shipped. 
SUMMARY OF METHODS OF PRODUCING SHADE TOBACCO. 
The best methods of producing shade-grown tobacco may be sum- 
marized as follows: 
(1) Protect the seed bed from north and west winds. 
(2) Get a good strain of seed. 
(3) Sterilize the seed beds. 
(4) Do not sow the seed too thickly. 
(5) Give the plants plenty of water. 
(6) Plants will be produced under glass earlier than under cloth, 
but the beds will require more attention. 
(7) Do not allow the plants to get too large before transplanting. 
(8) Wet the beds thoroughly before pulling the plants for trans- 
planting. 
(9) Prepare the land well before transplanting. 
(10) Set the plants as close as 14 inches in the row. 
(11) Cultivate frequently and thoroughly. 
(12) Take out the bud just before the flower opens. 
(13) Sucker once, taking off four top suckers. 
(14) Do not let the tobacco get too ripe before harvesting. 
(15) Make four primings of the crop and keep each priming sepa- 
rate. 
(16) Prevent pole-burn by firing, if necessary. 
(17) Do not take the tobacco down until all fat stems are cured. 
(18) Have the proper amount of moisture in the tobacco when it is 
taken down. 
(19) After it is taken down do not leave the tobacco lying in 
bundles too long. 
(20) Do not allow the temperature to go above 115° F. during 
fermentation. 
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