, 1842-02-19

| climate LOT some years Po''~
it happens commonly that some portion 9
our tobacco is not nature, and is left unit
we are compelled to cut i by the aPproac
of frost. Such plants, even if fc'ly r'pe' Sc
dom cure of a good colour orquaI':y tor wan
of proper seasons. And here we may ven
ture a general remark; which is, that tobacco
cut early and fully ripe, will cure well ant
be of good quality under the most uniavora
bic circumstances, while that which come
late into the house, is difficult to cure and o
inferior grade. After the housing OF tobac
co is all accomplished, and cool weather be
gins. the house should be closed with greer
bushes, or fence rails set up on end ciosf
around on the outside Of the house, TO ex'
clude damp air, and beating rains, which gen
crate mould, &c.
Of Stripping and Pri=ing.
Stripping is begun as soon after the plants
are thoroughly cured and seasoned, as the
commencement the planter will permit. 1t is
is taken otl'he sticksin rroperseason OF order,
and packed in a large bulk, for this purpose.
and generally in higher order than isproper for
prlzing, which enables the shippers to han.
die it with less waste, and to tie it more neat
". There are two facts generally believed
to exist, in relation to the order of tobacco,
which are unaccountable. One is, that TO-
bacco IN order, or in 4 moist state, is no
heavier than when dry. The other, that if
it is taken down and bulked, as it is gong
ont of season, that is as it is passing from 4
moist 10 a dryer state, it will return in the
bulk to the highest state Of order it had pre-
%viouslv acquired. These opinions, however.
seem to have been established more by pre-
scription than recent experiment, for ! can
fad no person that will absolutely assert the
facts, upon his own experience. But he it
rs it may, the latter tact is so generally be-
licved as to be attended 10 in bu!king tobac-
CO.
In stripping, the best planters, make "
qualities besides stcmmcd. For this pur-
pose. every plant passes through the hands
of the sorters (the most experienced and
judicious of the laborers) who pull off the
two first, or ground leaves. without looking.
Upon examination, the remainder of the
plant may be found fit for the first class
perhaps two more leaves are to be taken of,
or perhaps the whole is only fit for the Sc
cond class. In this way The first class is OBJ
tanned. the leaves previously pulled of, are
again sorted for the second class, and what
is unfit for this is stemmed.
No definite idea Of the equality of the dif-
ferent classes can be well conveyed by de-
scription. 1t can only, AMI soon will be ac-
CURED by observation and experience. The
bundles Of each conSis. Of four or five leaves
neatly wrapped around the head with another
leaf. The stemmed tobacco about two thirds
Of the stem only being taken OUT is tied in
large bundles, and when packed in the hogs
head for pressing is united and laid loosely.
but in straight and uniform layers;
After stripping, some planters hang up
their tobacco again upon sticks drawn smooth
and somewhat TO a fea,her-edge, and as it
comes in proper order for %prizing. it is taken
down and bulked. and closely and elTectuaIlv
covered, till the time of prising arrives. The
months of April and May, are thought the
best time for this. Others pack their tobac.
co in double win-rows, that is slightly lap
the tails of the bundles, placing the heads
on the ont side, and thus raise a bulk three
or teur feet in height. Ii remains in this sit.
uatIon well weighted, but oitimes without
cover all the winter, and perhaps gets com.
dry; but returns in proper order for
in the warm weather of April or
May. 1t is a matter of much doubt and dis.
which Of these two modes is the best.
the latter is to be preferred, because
t is the least trouble, provided the planter
las plenty ofhouse room, and can SO order
t as to leave the winrows entirely Tree from
Interruption. Other planters more careless,
on the operation of stripping and pri-
ing together, without due regard to the or
Ter OF the tobacco, which may account for
he excess OF inferior qualities, and diversity
II Ftc avhtbI8aI IN