Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-28

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CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

thC hSiu huu III Iilie ptCh NONSlCu WIN
cotton plants, which had burst first into
a bright yellow blossom, and had then
been covered with many balls Of white
fluff. The picking the cotton had been
looked upon at first as great fun, al
though it had proved hard work before
it was finished. Its weight had rather ex-
ceeded Mr.. Hardy's anticipation. The
process of cleaning the cotton from the
pods and seeds had proved long and
troublesome operation, and had taken an
immense time. Judging by the progress
that they at first made with it, they
really began to despair Of ever finishing
it, but with practice they became more
adroit Still it was found to be too great
a labor during the heat of the day, al
though carried on within doors. 1t had
been dirty work, too; the light particles
of fluff had got everywhere, and at the
end of couple of hours work the party
had looked like family of bakers. In
deed, before more than a quarter of the
quantity raised was cleaned they were
heartily sick of the job, and the remainder
was sold in the pod to an Englshman
who had brought out machinery, and was
attempting to raise cotton near BueuOs
Ayres. Although the profits had been
considerable, it was unanimously deter
mined that the experiment should not be
repeated, at any rate for the present.
Mr. Hardy had not at first carried out
his idea of planting a couple of acres
with tobacco and sugar cane, the ground
having been required for other purposes.
He had not, however, abandoned the
idea; and about two months before the
marriage of Terence and Sarah he had
planted some tobacco, which was, upon
their return from Buenos Ayres, ready
to be picked.
The culture of tobacco requires consid-
cradle care. The ground is first prepar-
ed with great care, and is well and thor
oughly manured; but this was not requir-
ed III the present case, as the rich virgin
soil needed no artificial aid. 1t is then
dug in beds something like asparagus
beds, about two feet wide, with deep
trench between each. The seeds are rails
ed in seed-bed, and when nine or ten
inches high they are taken up and care
fully transplanted into the beds, two
rows being placed in each, and the plants
being foot apart.
There are various methods of cultiva-
tion, but this was the one adopted by Mr..
Hardy. The plants grew rapidly, the
ground between them being occasionally
hoed, and kept free from weeds. When
they were four feet high the tops were
nipped off, and any leaves which showed
signs of disease were removed. Each
stem had from eight to ten leaves. When
the leaves began to turn rather yellow,
Mr.. Hardy announced that the time for
cutting had arrived, and one morning all
hands were mustered to the work. 1t
consisted merely in cutting the stems at
level with the earth, and laying the
plants down gently upon the ground. BY
breakfast time the two acres were clear
ed. They were left all day to dry in the
sun, and little before sunset they were
taken up and carried up to one of the
store sheds, which had been cleared and
prepared for the purpose. Here they were
placed in heap on the ground, covered
over with raw hides and mats, and left
for three days to heat. After this they
were uncovered and hung up on laths
from the roof, close to each other, and
yet sufficiently far apart to allow the
air to circulate between them. Here
they remained until they were quite dry,
and were then taken down, damp cover
ing being chosen for the operation, as
otherwise the dry leaves would have
crumbled to dust. They were again laid
III heap, and covered up to allow them
To heat once more. This second henting
required some days to accomplish, and
this operation required great attention,
as the tobacco would have been worthless
il the plants had heated too much.
In ten days the operation was complete.
The leaves were then stripped off, the up
per leaves We're placed by themselves, as
also the middle and the lower leaves; the
higher ones being of the finest quality.
They Were then tied in bundles of twelve
leaves each, and We're packed in layers
in barrels, n great pressure being ap-
piled with a weighted lever, to press
them down into an almost solid mass. In
all they filled three barrels the smallest
of which, containing sixty pounds of the !
finest tobacco. The venture, like that of |
the cotton, had proved a success, but the |
trouble and care required had been very |
great.
The next experiment which was per
fectcd was that with the sugar cane. In
this, far more than in the others, Mrs.
Hardy aud the girls took a lively inter
est. Sugar had been one OF the few ar.
ticlcs OF consumption which had cost
money, and 1t had been used in considera.
bile quantities for converting the fruit
into fine puddngs and preserves. 1t was
not contemplated TO make sugar for sale.
btu only for the supply of the house: two
ncrcs, therefore, was the extent of the
plantation. Mr.. Hardy procured the cut
.ings from friend who had small STU
gar plantation near Buenos Ayres.
The cultivation of sugar cane Is simple.