Use small fires for coloring and do not use wet sawdust unless the tobacco begins to dry too fast. High humidity in the barn can be a serious problem in warm weather curing. Use top and lower ventilators to maintain the correct temperature and humidity. It may be necessary to use a low fire with open ventilators to drive out moisture. Tobacco will mold quickly in warm weather, so special attention should be given to the crop through the stem darkening stage.
Humid air can promote houseburn, sweat, and mold.
Proper use of the top ventilator to release moisture, in conjunction with proper fire management, usually will regulate the humidity. Under these conditions the tobacco should be yellowed using low heat and the temperature gradually raised to induce coloring. With increased temperature the tobacco tends to dry out, so all ventilators should be closed and wet sawdust used on fires to produce a moist smoke. Preparation for Market Tobacco should be taken down and bulked as soon as possible after curing. If properly bulked, quality can improve and tobacco will remain in order so that it can be stripped at any time.