The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-02-08

harvesting, When ripe. ii turns spot
tied, and the color Of the lower leaves
changes to q brown It is essential
that the plantsbe housed before the
first frost. The whole crop will not be
ripe at the same time, and it will be
necessary to pass through the field,
selecting such plants only as appear
/ TO be ripe. They, are cut with q knife
similar to that used for cutting corn.
stalks, and are laid upon the ground
for a few hours to wilt, but must not
be long exposed to a hot sun. They
are then removed to the tobacco house,
and hung up by pegs driven into the
stalk by q mallet about four ircbes
from the largest end Of, the stalk, or by
tying the stalk to poles which are laid
on beams or joists as near to each 9TH
or as possible and still permit a FREQ
circulation Of mir, cfhppg too closely,
they are injured while in the green
state. 49, ~ t.
The size, Of the tobacco sbcd should
vary with, the extent Of the crop which
| it is proposed to cultivate. A tree ven
| tilation should be secured from the
sides Of the building in dry weather,
but not on damp and rainy days. 1t
should have tight roof. The main
principle to be secured is q free and
perfect ventilation, which shall carry
off tho moisture Of the plants as fast as
When theplant is fully cured, which
may be known by the stem Of the leaf
becoming free from sap. it is to be
stripped from the stalks. A damp day
should be selected, so that the leaves
may not crack and waste. Its es-
sential that they be plant. As it is
stripped from the stalk it is Assorted
into different qualities, according to
] the uses to which it is 10 be applied
in manufacturing. The broad leaf,
which is suited to form wrappers for
cigars, must be carefully laid by itself.
A sufficient number of leaves is tied
together to form what is called a hand.
These are laid in piles, and after rc-
naming for few days, they will be
ready to pack. t.f.-.t .''.
We recapitulate several points on
which the experienced growers strong
ly insist, because they express condi
lions Of success in cultivatibg tobac
co. .ts
l. The land must be in good condi-
tion-wel enriched with manure. 1t
should be ploughed in the fall, and
again in the spring, and be thorough
ly pulverized. One ploughing will do
if the ground be new and strong. A
rich sandy loan is the best, and only
soil that will insure superior quality
of tobacco. --'''
2. The plants in the seed bed must
be carefully weeded and guarded
against the fly, and so thinned out as
to require hardy growth before be.
ing transplanted. ''' .' pa
8. During the season for the ravages
Of the worm the plants must be exam.
ined each day for the purpose of des-
troying them. 1.r ,i,....- ~" " .... .'.
4. In curing, the leaf stalk, or leaf
stem as it is usually termed, must be-
come perfectly freed from moisture.
The following statement shows the
net profit of raising tobacco on alluvial
soil in Whatcly, Mass. II Is an extrrct
from letter to the Country Gentle
man, February 28, 1861 The crop
described was grown by Elihu Belden,
on field of twelve acres, which was
thoroughly prepared, hocd three times,
and the suckers and worms carefully
removed from the plants. Tho pro-
duct was 23,S5O lbs OF tobacco, or near
ly one tun to the acre. i4a.g,-at 3. .r s-