THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



5G5 



operations, have an eye to neatness of appear- 

 ance where neatness is not incompatible with' 

 proper economy and progress. There is much 

 truth in the old adage, " the neatest farmers are 

 Ihe best.'" 



We propose to show, in a future number, by 

 what means the manure heap can be augmented, 

 relying principally for so doing upon the re- 

 sources of the fi^rm. AVe refer our subscribers 

 to older and more experienced heads than ours 

 for instruction in draining, stock management, 

 &c., and shall be glad to have lectures from 

 them on these points. We are very well aware, 

 too, of how much is yet due to our own farm 

 in the matter of proper draining, and if we 

 should attempt to lecture on this subject, should 

 expect to have "Physician heal thyself" hurled 

 at us. However, we will set about remedying 

 this evil very soon, and will only remark further, 

 that it is worth a ride to the farm of our friend 

 r. G. Ruffin, Esq., to w^itness the effects, and 

 learn the details of, a mode of draining at once 

 economical and easy to carry into execution. 

 His land has been greatly improved by draining 

 effected principally with the plough; and most 

 of the labor has been done with implements 

 worked with horse power instead of the spade. 



Charcoal for Firing Tobacco. 



We are sorry we are a judge of the good 

 quality of " the weed," after it has left the 

 hands of the Planter and passed through those 

 of the manufacturer — after it has been assorted, 

 sweetened, pressed, greased, &c., by the industry 

 of the "colored population" who manipulate 

 it at the factories. But, on this part of the 

 subject, we can speak with a full mouth, as we 

 rarely part company with our " quid" from 

 breakfast until bedtime. Like many others, 

 we have often tried to give up using tobacco, 

 but the effort is vain. Possibly we might (in 

 our ci-devant character of Doctor), say some- 

 thing of the evils too, of indulging in the waste 

 of money and health, and the loss of cleanli- 

 ness and proper digestion necessary before 

 one can become a competent judge of the merits 

 of a " quid" or good " cigar." But prudence 

 suggests we should keep quiet here and stand 

 "non-committal," lest we bring upon us anoth- 

 er lecture, in addition to many already received, 

 for the practice of a "bad habit." The vene- 

 rable Dr. Chapman used to say, that the use of 



tobacco was so injurious and vile a habit that 

 no man should ever acquire it. If unfortunate- 

 ly acquired, it should at once be abandoned for- 

 ever, except upon a pinch." Suiting the 

 action to the word, he would deliberately fill 

 his nostrils with 



If then the habit of using tobacco cannot be 

 cured, we will try to remove some of the 

 difficulties in the way of curing it. 



The smell, or taste of smoke, is very objec- 

 tionable in any tobacco, to nearly all persons 

 who use it, as well as to the buyer. 



If wood (particularly oak) is used in "firing," 

 it is almost impossi])Ie to divest the tobacco 

 of both the smell and taste of smoke, which 

 gives it, after being manufactured, a strongs 

 bitter, and disagreeable taste. Tobacco which 

 is " sun-cured" is always free from this ob- 

 jection, and generally commands a higher price 

 in consequence. But it is a much more trou- 

 blesome operation to scaffold in the sun, keep 

 it out of the rain, and to chink the open houses 

 with straw, &c., in damp weather, than it is t^ 

 dry up the sap at once by means of fire. There 

 is trouble enough connected with it, everybody 

 knows who has ever raised it, from the time 

 when the plant-beds are prepared until the 

 money is received for the crop : so that any 

 saving of trouble, in the process of curing, is 

 worth the farmer's attention. 



We think the advantages of using charcoal 

 for firing may be set down as follows : 



1st. The tobacco is left untainted by the 

 smell or taste of smoke, while it is, in conse- 

 quence, better for manufacturing purposes. 



The appearance, too, is said by some to be 

 improved, as it generally has a glossy, silky 

 semblance imparted to it. All the black stain 

 of the coal dust and smoke is removed while in 

 the course of stripping and handling. 



2nd. It is much less troublesome, and near' a 

 market for wood, is much more economical. 



3rd. There is little danger of having the 

 Barn burnt down by sparks. 



As to the cost of charcoal, we cured last fall 

 a house full, 22 x| 28 feet long, with 9 tiers, for 

 $13. We do not know exactly how many 

 bushels were consumed, but 3 cords of good 

 oak wood would be worth that sum. The char- 

 coal made a very hot fire, and there were no 

 sparks from it. In a conversation with a very 



