St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-09-08
FARMER AND PLANTER.
CUTTING AND CURING.


Aaadllag - Crop.
should the season continue favorable
sAe harvest Of the tobacco crop win
begin perhaps by the middle of August,
says Law p. Alexander in Home and
farm. As . rule the early planting
and cutting Il the best of the crop.
There is much difference Of opinion rs
TO when the crop is ready for the knife.
The indications 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 toward the bottom of the plant
extending upward. until the top leaves
are spotted. If dry weather prevails
1t is better for tho color, for il wet
weather should come on about the time
OF ripening, the continued how of sap
is apt to run the color down in the
crop, and give it = gray tint that is not
desirable, Boosting begins 1T the bot
tom OF the plant and then you must
determine for yourself when the plant
Is losing weight, instead Of gaining.
The nature of the White Burley is that
whenever it ceases to take on weight it
begins lose.
A certain amount OF preparation Is
always necessary before cutting be-
gins II barn room is not sufficient, it
ought to be prepared before hand. If
sticks are scarce they ought to be Sc
cured. The barn ought to be thor
oughly cleaned Of obstruction, and the
tiers arranged. Rails, forks and poles
ought to be brought upon the ground
II scaffolding out is contemplated. II
the fence is used for scaffolds, the
corners ought to be cleared out SO
that there will be no delay, as at
this season every hour is precious.
Take the first cutting to the barnes
pecially If the weather is hot-fin it
comfortably by allowing circulation of
between the sticks in the tiers. If the
plants are about medium size allow
five plants to the stick, and these !
ought to be arranged on the stick so
that you can lay the hand between the |
butts of the stalks. In fact, when |
there is . free circulation of air, tobac- |
co is not inclined to injure in the barn. |
When the barn is filled in the man
ner indicated, keep the doors open; If |
there is lack of circulation ut the top.
q plank removed here and there will |
prove beneficial. If this part of the
work is done in q judicious manner, it
It will pay the man well that does it.
Usually this is the first run made on
the crop. Suckers and worms will be
in the field while this is
being done, and they must have atten-
ton. At this point the work will be-
gin to crowd the average grower. In
that even. additional help must be
.alled into the field. If the crop is to be
hauled from = destant part of the farm,
t may be necessary to have additional
cams.
As this work is being carried for
ward, everyone should understand
hat the value Of the crop depends in =
arge degree upon how the work is
lone.
In handling the crop we believe it
will pay to observe these rules. The old
ldage of ''haste makes waste" is pecul-
arly adapted to this business. An in
ustrious, painstaking man is usually =
God tobacco grower.
1. See that each stalk is split in the
middle, to within q uniform distance
rom the ground just below. the last
eaf that is of value. j. ,.;; So Il 4
2. Don't allow the plants WHEN cut 70
" in the field after it is sufficieltay1
to handle. 81
8. Don't allow it to be tiffokA tn
caps, especially when the usBtVpH II
dead and taking AdAt4k6h
he sun. Avoid handling Is much as,1
ossible to the end. Whenever . stick !
filed, take il from the field rs early y
5 practicable. q
This close following of the knife is of I
asst importance, especially in warm or 9
weather, and it is impossible l
, secure good crop without it. (
AS the first cutting cures close up in q
tiers. Never allow the barn \
losed except in stormy weather. In
out come rs near to the barn
5 possible, or, for that matter, around :
ne barn. Otherwise select q location {
here the high winds can not reach it. b
1hen these prevail it is sometimes nee i
ssary to clear the scaffold and close
he barn.
To secure q large crop and do it sue
,ssfully needs not only industry, but
considerable executive ability, and
,metimes weather conditions make it S
npossible, even where these prevail t