The morning news., 1892-02-01
TOBACCO CULTURE.
A Descr ption of a Tobacco Curing
Barn.

a A-C0NA PNAeA "a = 100000 - ~ Al =
Barn.
Quincy, FLA, Jan. 31.-In the cultiva-
tion Of tobacco there is nothing so essential
as good place TO save it after made. Many
crops of tobacco have been lost after having
been taken from the field by either careless
handling or lack Of proper place to "cure
up" IN. When such Is the case the farmer
is disgusted, and more harm IS done by one
poor crop than can be overcome by great
many good ones; there are a great many
uusOld crops Of tobacco in Gadsden county
to-day due to the fact that they are poor.
A good crop will sell readily and ct good
prices. 10 is folly for one TO 60 to the ex-
peuse of raising any crop unless he can
handle it properly after 1t Is made, and |
venture the assertion that there is no crop
which needs such careful attention after
having been taken from the field as tobacco.
If one would make a good crop and expect
good prices let him build a suitable barn
in which to cure tobacco. Now that
tobacco is no longer an expert
ment with our farmers, they are
giving themselves every convenience. In
several instances the farmers have, besides
their barns, erected packing houses, and by
asserting, packing, etc, hope to do even
better than before. It is my idea now to
give the plans. etc, for a good barn, and
one which will be large enough to cure five
or six acres Of tobacco. The size Of the barn
should be 30x60 feet, the material TO be us
follows: is posts (ightwood or cypress,
Is feet long, placed 10 feet apart, s feet in
the ground for sides and end, 81 scantliugs
2x4, 90 feet long for inside supports to raft
ers. aud they also to act as tier poles, theee
to be plaos d feet apart; 81 scantling, 2x4,
"a feet long, cut on a square for roof pitch.
This allows 6-inch projection at either end
of the building. If round posts are used
hew:: to line the side next the weather.
boarding 50 that you may obtain good
tight side when finished.
Around the inside of your post jag in Is
pieces, 2x4, 20 feet long. This will act as a
brace ana tiers can rest on.
Set your two rows Of inside tier posts IL
feet from either side Of tho building run
ming lOngways) and S feet apart In the
center. This will admit of a loaded wagon
being driven through the barn. hese tier
poles also run up and are nailed each under
a rafter. Where these are joined are nailed
amidbeams. From the inside tier poles 10
the outside scantling, which has been run
entirely around tle building, every feet
and feet from the ground y nail pieces
IA ks. On these the tobacco will hang, the
hight of the body being ~ feet you can
make three tiers, the same is done even
into the roof, thus making every foot of
available space count. 1t is calculated that
$50 pauk l0x$4, 20 feet long, will weather
board and make the double gates at each
end.
1t is very necessary that there should be
in every barn means whereby you can get
the proper ventilation for the tobacco;
this is done in putting on the weather.
boards. Put on three weather-boards start
ing from the ground, lap each one inch. then
skip inches and nail another board fiat,
hard and fast, skip another inches,
| nail another fiat, hard and fast,
skip inches again, nail another
hard and fast, always fiat TO the
| posts. Now, to the bottom of these nailed
| planks you join, by strap hinges, the missing
boards (which are l0xs0, these then in fall
| ing lap over one in n and coming hard
up under the fast plank makes "a good joint
easily raised, Offering all necessary ventila-
ton and at the same time affordilg protec-
| uon from rain, etc. These windows must be
put entirely around both sides. At
the ends place doors feet
wide, double are better, becaue easier
| to handle. Put them on good strong hinges.
| The top Is covered first with about $50 la his,
l14x3, as sheeting, Then either boards or
shingles II the former ara used "a inches
| long, Tapped as shingles, about 5000 will
cover the roof. The figure, in this barn is
taken from a barn now in the course of
| construction by E. B. Woodbery, one of the
most successful tobacco growers of our
county and will, when completed, cost $125,
he furnishing everything, the carpenters
work by contract $50, the material S75
| This barn has been examined by a great
| many farmers aud for strength and con-
| venience. etc, is said to be the very thing
for our county. OF course one can make
the barn ccst anything he wants, but
what is needed is a good, cheap SUBJ
stantial structure to protect the crop from
the weather and afford proper room and
ventilation for curing and light for hand
ling. In the culture Of tobacco farmer is
busy from the opening Of the season until
the crop has been sold and delivered, SO it
| would be well for those who intend plant
| ing to plant their seed and build their
barns, because later on he will have no time
| to spend on his barn and the entire crop on
| his part may be q failure for the want Of a
proper place to handle after having raised
| his crop.