The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-11-11
Far1nrrs' Column.
Speed the PlOPC.o
Asserting TObaccO.

In the majority ofcascs, it will pay growers
to exercise the greatest pains in asserting
their tobacco, so that it may be done in the
best possible manner Ifit does not nav the
first year, it will in the long run, for a good
reputation among buyers is good thing for
tobacco-grower to have. Our best growers
assert their crops into at least four qualities,
namely double A." "single A." "binders"
and "hllers" Sometimes, when requested by
the buyer OF crop, more qualities are made
by sizing the leaves of the wrappers, and
placing the leaves of equal lengths in scpar-
ate "hands." When this is done, they are
termed "long A A" or "short A A" &c.
Tobacco should be in good condition MS
regards moisture before it is assorted. If
is too dry, the work cannot be done proper
ly, and besides, the leaves will become more
or less mutilated while being handled. Ar
tlflcial moistening is rarely necessary if the
tobacco is in good condition when it is taken
from the poles. When it is necessary to
moisten tobacco artificially, it should be done
with extreme caution, lest the tobacco be in.
lured by the process. The water should he
sprayed on carefully and evenly over the
leaves with fine broom or "blow-pipe, in
sufficient quantities (Which requires good
Judgment ON the part of the grower to deter
mine) to bring it to the required condition.
tobacco is in asserting too closely, or making
too many of the higher grades. Nothing is
gained by this. On the contrary, it is usually
better for the grower, and more satisfactory
TO the buyer, that each quality be made good.
some growers aim to make rs many wrap
pers as possible, hoping thereby to raise the
standard of their crop, and hence place many
leaves among wrappers that properly belong
with the binders. Such asserting reflects
dlscredit on the grower, and should be
avoided. The tobacco is handled over, and
each leaf put in its respective quality and
tied in hands, or "hanks; :" that is, from IA
to 10 leaves, and placed together, with the
puts perfectly even, and a leaf wrapped about
the butts to keep them in shape. 1t is impor-
tant that this thing be done correctly THAT is,
the hands should be made small and even in
size, and they should be neatly tied with n leaf
suitable for the purpose. 1t is our custom
TO place IA leaves in hand of the first quail
ity, or ''double :" 1G in the "sngle A.; is
in the binders, and about 90 in the filters -
Tobacco put up in this systematic way indi-
Gates painstaking and careful handling on the
part OF the grower, which has its effect on
the buyer 1t should be the aim of every to-
Dacco-grower to manipulate his tobacco in
the manner which will best please the pur-
chaser of the crop. With this end in view,
let the asserting be done in neat and work.
manlike manner.
When the tobacco has been assorted and
placed in neat, well-proportioncd hands, it
should be "rankcd out" in dry place, each
quality by itself. In order TO do this work
neatly and rapidly, it is best to place guide
boards the proper distance apart, to which
the butts ofthe hands are placed. In ranking,
the hands should be placed squarcly and
evenly in the rank, in layers, pressed firmly
down by the knees of the workman. When
rank is completed the guideboards should
be removed, and the butts left exposed to the
air to dry or cure The top of the rank
should be weighted down somewhat, and Sc
curey covered, to prevent the tobacco from
drying Care should be exercised in ranking
To keep the leaves straight. Sometimes the
butts OF the leaves are so thoroughly cured as
to make the ranking unnecessary. When this
is the case, the tobacco may be packed into
cases Immediately after it is assorted
An important point in handling crop of
tobacco, is in keeping it from drying out
When left exposed to a dry atmosphere, to-
bacco rapidly loses its moisture. 1t is import
ant that all the dampness which it takes up
previous to when it is taken from the poles
is retained To this end let the tobacco be
kept carefully covered at all times. Some
kind of vessel containing water should be
kept on the stove in the asserting ROOM
while the tobacco is being handled, which
will help TO keep the air damp, and thus pre-.
vent the tobacco from drying. -C0uRhy GEN
Hem6R.