The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-09-08

CUTTING AND CURING TO-
BACCO.
Sound Advice From anlExperi'
enced Planter on the Subject.

As a rule, early planting and cutting
is the best of the crop. There is much
difference of opinion as to when the
crop is ready for the knife. The indi-
cations for the ripening will begin
where the growth has been the most
rapid, in spots that will gradually
spread over the entire field, begin
ming towards the bottom of the plant,
extending upwards until the leaves are
spotted. If dry weather prevails it is
better for the colo, for should wet
weather come on about the time OF
ripening. the continued flow of sap is
apt to run the color down in the crop,
or give it a gray tint that is not de-
sirable Wasting begins at the bottom
of the plant, and then you must deter
mine for yourself when the plant is
losing weight instead of gaining.
A certain amount of preparation is
always necessary before cutting begins.
If barn room is not sufficient, it ought
to be prepared. Take out the first cut
ting to the barn - especially If the
weather is hot-fill it comfortably by
between the tiers, and between the
sticks'in the tiers. If the plants are
about medium size allow about five
plants to the stick, and these ought to
be arranged Oh the stick so you can lay
| the hand between the butts of the
stalks. In fact. where there is a free
| circulation of air, tobacco is not in
I'll; fl,o
When the barn is filled in the man
ner indicated, keep the doors open; il
there is a lack of circulation at the top,
a plank removed here ard there will
prove beneficial. If this part of the
work is done in judicious manner, il
will pay the man we'll that does it.
Usually this is the first run made on
the crop. Suckers and worms will be
accommodating in the field while this is
being done, and these must have at
tention. At this point the work will
begin to crowd the average grower
In that event additional help must be
called into the field. If the crop is tC
be hauled from a distant part of The
farm, it may be necessary to have ad
ditional teams.
AS this work is being carried for
ward, everyone should understand tina
the value Of the crop depends in large
degree upon how the work is done.
In handling the crop we believe i
will pay to observe these rules. Thu
old adage of ''haste makes waste" ii
peculiarly adapted to tais business. Al
industrious, pains-taking man is usu
ally good tobacco grower.
First-See that each stalk is split il
the middle, to within uniform distant
from the ground, just below the las
leaf that is Of value.
Second--Don't allow the plants wher
cut to lay in the field after it is suffi
GENTLY withered to handle.
Third-Don't allow it to be throw
in heaps, especially when the plant!
are thoroughly dead and taking hea
from the sun. Avoid handling as mucl
as possible to the end Whenever {
stick is filled take it from the field a:
early as practicable.
This close following Of the knife i:
Of vast Importance, especially in warn
or unsettled weather, and it is impos
sible to secure good crop without it
To secure large crop and do it sue
cessfully needs not only industry, bu
considerable executive ability, ant
sometimes weather conditions make:
it impossible even when these prevail
Home and Farm.