, 1842-02-19
AGRICULTURAL.
From the Missouri Farmer.
Tobacco.

W tHe SuttHS. OuTtHg ana IlOuStHp.
We have now arrived at the most Difficult
and critical stages Of the whole process, ev
cry operation from this time until the plan
is cured, requiring great attention and care
as well as skill and nicely of judgement il
the execution. And hence a great c%ontrari
ETY. of practice in some of the minutiaa pre-
walls, according to the superior skill and abil
ity of various planters.
1t is difficult to convey an idea of ripe to
baccoo by description. 1t can only be learn
by observation and experience. In genera
its maturity is indicated by the top leaves o.
the plant turning down and often touching
the ground, becoming curdIed with yellow
spots interspersed on their surface. looking
GLOSSY and shining, with an entire loss OF
fur. a manifest increase of thickness in the
substance Of the leaves, which when pinched
in a fold between the finger and thumb will
rick or split with ease. But the most ex-
%Perlenced planters acknowledge that they
are too apt TO err in cutting their tobacco
too soon, than deferring it too long.
As a proof of this, take two plants grow
ing side by side Of equal size and appearance
in every respect. and both apparently ripe
cut one and weigh it both green and when
cured: let the other stand q week longer
and when weighed like the first, the difference
in favor Of the latter will be astonishing
1t 1t be asked, why we do not avail ourselves
OF the advantage to be derived from thus de-
ferrIng the operation? 1t may be answered.
as l before observed, that tobacco while
standing is liable TO be injured and DESTROYED
BY more accidents than anv other plant.
such as hail storms, heavy rains, high winds.
the depredations of worms, the growth of
suckers from the root, which abstract great
ly from the weight and thickness of the
leaves, if suffered to grow, and which it is
not always convenient to pull off. Besides
thus, the season Of cutting tobacco is a very
busy one to the planter. and too much work
would accumulate OF his hands 10y deferring
1t to the last moment. For these reasons it
Is considered most prudent to Gull out the
plants as soon as they will make good tobac-
co; in which case the loss in the aggregate
amour. of crop, is balanced by avoiding the
risk Of accidents, and being able to bestow
more care and attention TO what remains,
The cutters go over the ground bv rows.
each taking two at a time, and the plants
they cut are laid in the intermediate row be.
tween them. This facilitates the picking no.
as the cutting of four rows is thereby placed
IN one. The stalk of The plant to be cut is
first split down with the knife about six
inches, and after being cut off lust below the
bottom leaf, is inverted and laid upon the
ground, to fall and become pliantf for hancIing.
The splitting of the stalks is important, both
for The convenience Of han ling il on sticks
and accelerating the cure of the plant. To
those unused to the culture and manage.
ment OF tobacco, it will he almost incredible
to learn how soon it will sun-burn. as we
call 1t, alter beng cut and turned over on
the ground. This is effected by the hot rays
OF the sun, piercing ard penetrating the ten
der parts of the leaves, and is manifested by
the parts effected, turning white and soon
bee aming dry and crisp, and when cured, of
dark green colour, without possessing any
of the strength or qualities of tabacco. In
very dry, hot weather, sun-lurning often
lakes place before a large plant falls sufi-
to be handled without breaking off
he leaves; and for this reason the cutting in
uch weather, should always be made early
n the morning, aid not proceed after ten
Sometimes it is done in the eve
ing when there is no prospect of rain, by
which the packing up may be accomplished
'arlIer the next morning, and witt. less risk
burning. As soon as the plants jall sufii-
Iently to handle without breaking of ihe
they are handfuleL as we call H.; /
hat Is, they are picked up, and three, four c
r five plants are laid together, with their ,
from the sun, and the stalks inclined and s
omewhat elevated against the sides of some n
{ the hills. The pickers up, after going r
,rongh this ground return and turn over n
u -