Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-18


important, and to tell him how TO do
this, will be our aim in the present
chapter.
THE TEST or KiPESEss.
In from two to three weeks after il
has been topped the tobacco plant be.
gins 10 ripen. The change that then
occurs IN the plant is very marked and
not to be mistaken, even by an obser.
want novice. The uniform green color
Of the leaves is no longer maintained.
@hey assume n notified or spotted ap.
pearance. These spots are not always
alike in color, but are by turns yelowish,
reddish and brownish They are dis.
cernable at a considerable distance from
the plant. The upper leaves should
also have expanded until they approach
| the lower ones in size, and the plant
| generally presents something Of a uni.
form appearance. II, however, these
! signs are not sufficient, another is at
! hand 10 lend its confirmation. When
! ripe. the leaves become more brittle
and when taken between the thumb
and fingers and doubled up they break
easily. Either OF these indications is
an infallible sign Of maturity, although
| the former IL much the safest guide 10
"A new beginner. by watching it close.
| ly he cannot be deceived or make a
/ mistake.
wnES TO CuT TOBACCO.
! In "A plant that natures as slowly IA
! tobacco, there are ~ matter Of course
/ various stages Of rpeness. which may
/ pcrplcx the grower somewhat. At what
particular stage shall he cut itl While
] lH ri VtF 49,
! And this we may say is d very important
matter for the grower OF seed leaf TO.
/ baoco, as experience has demonstrated
/ 10 the old growers Of this county. Sew.
/ eral important considerations come 10
1 the front which cannot be ignored II
/ the heaviest possible yield is the only
/ object, then, undoubtedly, fully ripe
| plant will give the most weight. Then
/ the plants have attained their fullest
! possible development, and are richest
/ IN gum, which does not cvapOrate a.
/ the ordinary juices Of the plant do. but
/ remains, adding TO the weight. Cutting
/ tobaccOs, those grown in the South and
| used for the manufacture of plug TO
/ bacco, are not cut until they are fully
| ripe. If not cut when fully maiured il
will begin 10 lose in weight. Among
many Of the growers in pennsylVanla.
I this same course j. followed But lust
/ here the matter Of color steps IN and
| largely directs the matter oar best
growers have demonstrated TO their en-
! tire satisfaction that tobacco when cut
! before IT is fully ripe will cure a richer,
darker brown than when left to mature
| fully; and as the ultimate value j.
/ largely dependent on its dark chestnut
color. this settles the matter. There
may be a slight loss in weight, il il true,
tut the increased price the product
commands more than compcnsates for
the loss in pounds. But this - not the
only reason that might be urged for
early cutting, although it il amply suili
cicnt in itsclf. Rain and hail storms
are not unircqucnt IN tobacco. growing
regions, and all are aware how these
can damage crop. We have seen
splendid crop, ready 10 cut. reduced TO
filters in five minutes. This is con.
tingcncy likely TO occur at any hour
and not TO be lightly regarded. "a sin.
gle day may decide whether Me crop
will sell for - or 3 cents. Tkcn, again,
if the tobacco Is a late cop, a we'll.
known acquaintance Of the farmer,
familiarly called Jack frost, sometimes
comes along when his presence j. little
desired. and he WIZ settle the value Of
the crop even mY'N ehectually than the
tobacco worms, be gtasshoppers, or the
flea beetles. vntacIy removal OF the
crop from the e!d is the only remedy
against this 'As"r i single day may
make all the RT7eTpnce To the planter.
and in this matter, As everywhere else
along the season = chain. he cannot af.
ford TO run any chances. He will,
therefore. endeavor TO keep on the side
OF safety, even though II be TO cut his
tobacco two or three days earlier than
he would prefer to cut 1t. The weight
of the various advantage j.. therefore,
clearly Oh the side OF early cutting. and
the Lancaster county planters have, a.
a rule, made that fact one of the vital
points in their tobacco growing.
wHEN NoT TO CUT TOBACCO.
One OF the essential constituents of
tobacco is the resinous gum - palpahle
to the touch when green leaf is hand.
led. II is one Of its most valuable pro.
perties, and being freely exuded by the
glands Of the leaf, is liable 10 be washed
off by rains. Tobacco should. therefore,
never be cut Immediately after rain.
Wait three or Tour days, during which
time the plant will again secrete the
necessary supply Of gum, and then it
may bc cut without danger from this
cause. Neither should the plants be
cut while covered with dew. II laid
on the ground in that condition dirt is
likely TO adhere TO them. Try and
avoid a very hot day if possible in
which to cut tobacco. II left too long
in the heat to wilt IL is likely to sun.
burn, whether it he in the morning or
afternoon. The afternoon is the favor.
ite time to cut tobacco with many farm.
ers, but there is no good reason why
this should not be done in the morning
as well, especially when the day is
cloudy and the general conditions IA.
vorable. IL must not be forgotten that
care is necessary to prevent sunburn.
Halt an hour is enough under certain