Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-09-23
Yellow Tobacco.

following IN regard to the raisi ing
and curing Of yellow tobacco:
$40 raise fine yellow tobacco,
hrst grow yenr plants. Burn and
sow curing the first dry season after
Christmas the yellow eronoko. &c.
leet southern exposure, q warm
situation, for early plants. Use
any standard tobacco fertilizer.
when sowing the seed, 100 to $50
square yards, according to the
fertility Of the land. Hog pen or
hen house manure is the next best
tor plant beds. Stable manure
should not be used, as it. breeds
flies. Make frequent applications
of either hen house manure or
other fertilizer of known value
only when the plants are not wet
with dew. Gray soils, with dry,
porous subsoil, the fresher the bet
ter, are best suited to the growth
and maturity of yellow tobacco.
From 100 t. 800 ponnds Of fer,ili-
zer may be protitably used to the
acre. Apply in the drill, except
on new ground, where it is best to
broadcast. Plant in hills, as soon
after the first of May as plants and
seasons will admit. Commence
cultivation as soon after the first
rain as the plants have taken root.
This gives tnem Il start !; but this
working should be llght--only with
the hoe. Continue to stir the land
with the plow, and sweep until the
tobocco begins to come in top. If
the sweep is used there is but little
need for hoe work.
"Toppins r,nst be done accord
ing to the appearance and promise
of each plant, strength Of soil and
time the work is done. First, top
ping for medium tobacco should be
from ten to fourteen leaves, prim-
ing Of lower leaves, just high
enough, SO that when the plant
ripens the lower leaves may be well
off the ground. As-the season ad-
vances, top lower and lower, SO as
to advance the late plants, that they
may be ent before fully and uni
for,nly ripe to fill a barn. Cut the
tobacco of uniform size, color and
quality, putting eight Plants to a
stick. Get the plants to the barn
as soon attcr they are cut and will,
as much care rs possible. Place
the sticks about eight inches apart
on the tier poles.
"The first step in curing is called
the steaming or yeilowing process.
Medium tobacco will require about
36 hours stea,ning at about go de-
grces Fahr., but tobacco with more
or less sap, larger or smaller, may
require longer or shorter time 10
| yellow. Here Judgment must be
exercised.
"The next step in curing yellow
tobacco is called liking the color.
When the tobacco is sufficiently
yellowed at 80 degrees, the best
leaves of a uniform yellow and the
greener ones of a light pea-grecn
color, the heat should be adva3ced
gradually. Keep the heat 80 to e5
degrees abont one hour, then run
up tram e5 to 100 degrees, keep
ing the heat between these figures
tor about two hours. Should the
tobacco get into a sweat at this or
any future stage, rails: the fires a
little and open the door. This
creates Il current of heated air that
will soon dry out tho leaf. The
thermometer may fall even ten
degrees here without injury to the
color. If possible, keep the tobac
co from sweating. Next advance
the heat, running from 100 To los
degrees foI about two hours. :
When at 105 degrees you have
arrived at the most critical point
The condition and appearance ol
the tobacco must be the guide.
"Too little heat in fixing color
operates to stain the face side cI
the leaf of dull Spanish brown
color. and is called spongir s, aud
may be knowp to The novice by its
effects being visible only on the
face side; too much heat tedden-
the leaf, first in spots, visible "n
The edge of the leaf, redder than
,he former, and Visible on both
sides of the leaf. Now, to prevent
sponging on the one hand and
spotting on The other is the aim oI
the experienced curer. Therefore
20 definite time can be laid down
to run from 105 to 1l0 degrees
Sometimes one hour is sufficient
sometimes three is fast enough
The same may be said in running
from 10 100 degrees. While it il
usual to advance In this stage
about 8 degrees every two honrs
for medium tobacco, the condition
of :he tobacco often indicates te
the piacticed eye the necessity fol
slower or faster movements. Re.
Il member not 10 adyace over III