The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-04
AGRICULTURE.

HARVESTING ToBAcco.-A very good
way Is to cut the plants just at night,
and takc them to tho shed early la the
morning after tho "dew Is off," Tho
plants are then cool and less liable to
pole rot or sweat by adopting this me-
thod of harvesting. In hanging the
plants avoid crowding, as space ls rs
much an object with tobacco growers
as with newspaper mon, and If tho
plants arc ovcr-crowdcd, tho leaves are
GrS to sweat and rot. In about two
weeks however, the danger ~ passed
and the leaves will have commenced to
"curc down." changing at first from
green to yellow and from yellow TO
brown, tho natural color of tho leaf.
Too rapid curing is not desirable, since
the leaf is apt to be dry and husky,
rather than soft and silky. Keep the
sheds as dark as possible if dark-color-
cd leaf is sought for, and open the doors
II lighter shade is wished for. Close
the doors next the sun ut all times, and
open on the other side, but open all
during the night, unless the weather is
very mnggy-a most dangerous time
tor the curing process and tho time
when polo rot and sweat will ensue.
After the plants or leaves arc all "curcd
down." close tho sheds tight so that
the color may even up, but should
damp spell como on, open the doors,
but not If rain beats in on to che leaves.
Before cutting the plants sec that all
arc thoroughly suckcred las the ollshoots
are liable to grow when hung up, and
the curing leaves como in contact with
them arc apt to rot and bo otherwise
injured. Tobacco plants may be hung
either with twine or string, on laths,
as may bo thought best. Both modes
OF hanging in tkc shells have their adj
vocates, many claiming that when hung
OH laths tho leaves cure better and arc
less liable to sweat or rot. Wcll-ripen-
ell tobacco will cure faster than when
only partially ripe; hence there Is less
danger from rotting when tho plant is
thoroughly matureu. Havana seed to-
baccO must not be cut unless well-ri-
pened, as the leaves will be bitter in lla-
vor If cut when grocn. The plants of
this variety should stand In tho field so
long rs there Is no danger from frosts,
say from eighteen to twcnty-four days
after being topped, and in some cases
even longer. On low grounds, where
thc early frost nips the vegetation, the
plants should be carefully waite d
and cut, even if not ripe; since =
we're frost, or any frost, even a"whitc"
one, units the leaves for use, and since
unripe tobacco is better than that touch
cd by this mcrciless foe Of the weed.
RATS. The damage by rats is one of
the most serious losses to which farmers
are subjected. On the whole, this loss
is doubtless greater than that from all
the fires which occur upon farms. We
have tried Il preparation called Poi
soned Wheat" put up for the purpose
OF destroying vermin, and find it very
effective. The rats disappear; that is,
all that can be noticed. But poison Of
any kind should be used so that fowls
or other animals cannot get it. 10 de-
stroy tho rats is now timely work,
and will prevent much future loss of
grain.
SMUT AND RUsr.-Thcse troublesome
diseases of wheat and rye may be pre-
vented by picking the seed. The pick
le may be made OF strong brine, or of a
solution of four OnnCOS SulDhnte of cam