Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-08-04
White Burley Tobacco.
Western Tobacco Journal, Cinti., o.

IoDhccO ttntl.,
When the tobacco becomes fully
matured it becomes very thick and
heavy; 1t also changes its color from
Na green to yellowish, notified green
appearance.
A very good test is to double part
of the leaf back with thumb and
finger, and if it breaks or cracks it is
considered in fairly good condition
for cutting. The weather most favor
able for ripening and thickening to-
bacco is moderately dry weather with
cool nights and warm days.
To proceed to the cutting: The
stick is placed in a slanting position
by sticking one end of it in the ground
at the root Of plant. The knife is
than taken i'm the right hand and Is
started down the stalk, guaging it so
as to miss the leaves as much as pos
sible. Let the left hand follow in the
split and when the knife is within
about six inches Of the root of the
plant, remove it from the split, slight
ly bend the stalk over with the left
hand, and with one stroke of the
knife cut the stalk OF below the
leaves. Take hold of the end of the
stalk with the right hand, keep the
left hand in the split, raise the plant,
and with q quick movement bring it
down astride the stick in such a
manner as to leave the leaves straight
and unbroken. Five or six large
plants should be put on each stick.
When the tobacco is on the stick
In the field, il the sun is very hot,
there is danger from sun-burn, espec-
tally from 10 O'Clock in the morning
until 2 O'Clock in the afternoon. 1t Is
the better plan, II there Is danger of
sunburn, to cut in the afternoon and
haul to the barn in the morning before
the sun has reached its full force.
The most convenient way to haul to
the barn 10 on hay-racks or some other
platform contrivance. The tobacco
is then hung in the barn from the
wagons, hanging from sixteen to
eighteen sticks to twelve foot rail,
when the process of curing cOmmenc-
90 BY the sap's gradually evaporating
by the natural action Of the atmos-
phere.
CURING.
The tobacco needs certain favorable
conditions of the weather to aid it in
curing properly warm and moderate
ly dry weather being the most favor
able, as cool, windy weather causes
1t to cure with a greenish cast, while
very hot, wet weather catises house,
burn. House-burn may be prevented
to some extent by giving 1t the adj
vantage Of all the dry air possible,
and by keeping the doors shut against
hot, foggy atmosphere. The tobacco
gradually goes through the process
Of curing, and as soon as 1t is thor.
ocghly cured the crop is ready to
strip.
L STRIPPING.
The art of handling tobacco, for it
may be called an art to handle 1t prop
erly, is one of the most important
parts of successful tobacco culture.
The proper handling of an ordinary
crop adds greatly to its appearance
and value. While, on the other hand,
an extra good crop may by poor and
improper handling be made to fall
below the ordinary. After the to-
bacco is thoroughly cured and il
comes "in case" that is, when it has
received sufficient moisture from the
atmosphere TO make it pliable and
tough, the grower proceeds to strip
the crop. Most growers provide them.
selves with stripping room, In order
that they may coutinue cir work in