CHAPTER III.

CURING.

Growing tobacco is only half the battle. Having raised a crop to a state

of perfection, the next object is to cure it for the market. This branch

of the business demands fully as much care and skill as the purely

agricultural part preceding it, and is perhaps equally influenced by the

weather. The best crop ever grown may be completely spoiled by

injudicious conduct during the drying, &c., while a growth of moderate

quality may be made the most of by extra care and trouble.

_Harvesting._—The leaf being matured, it should be harvested only after

the dew is off the plants, and not on a rainy day. There are two modes

of harvesting—gathering the leaves singly, and cutting down the whole

plant. Gathering single leaves admits of removing them from the plant as

they ripen; the bottom leaves are removed first, and the top ones are

left some time longer, until they have attained full maturity. The

cultivator is thereby enabled to gather his crop when it possesses the

greatest value. This plan necessitates, however, a great amount of

labour, and, in a hot climate, the single leaves are apt to dry so

rapidly as not to attain a proper colour, unless stacked early in heaps.

But stacking in heaps involves great risk of the leaves heating too

much, and developing a bad flavour, whereby the tobacco loses more or

less in value. For Indian circumstances generally, cutting the whole

plants is better than gathering the leaves singly.

For cutting down the plants, a long knife or chopper is used. A man

takes the plant with his left hand about 9 inches from the ground, and

with the knife in his right hand, cuts through the stem of the plant

just above the ground. If the plants are sufficiently “wilted,” he may

lay them on the ground and proceed to cut down others; if, however, they

are so brittle as to cause the leaves to be injured by laying them down,

he should give them to another person, to carry them at once under

shade. During bright weather, the plants should not be allowed to lie

exposed to the sun on the ground, or they will become sun-burnt, and

lose in value. A temporary shed should be erected; it might be simply a

light roof of palm-leaves or thatched straw, supported by poles; a large

tree standing near will also serve the purpose. Under this shade,

parallel rows of posts are put up, and on the posts, light poles or

strong bamboos are fixed horizontally. The parallel lines should be

about 4½ feet apart and the horizontal poles about 4–5 feet from the

ground, according to the height of the tobacco plants. Rods are cut in

lengths of 5 feet, and laid over the parallel bars, so that they will

project about 3 inches at each end. A very light and convenient shelter

sometimes used for sun-drying in America, consists of rods laid

crosswise, supported on four upright poles, and covered with a sloping

roof of boards. The plants that have been cut are immediately brought

into the shade, tied in pairs, and hung across the rods. They must not

be hung so close as to press each other, and the rods should therefore

be 6–12 inches apart. The framework should be so large as to allow of

one day’s cutting being hung. The plants are left thus for one day,

during which time they will be wilted sufficiently to allow handling

without tearing the leaves. In a very dry wind, mats or other cover

should be laid against the plants most exposed to it, or their leaves

will dry rapidly, shrivel up, and remain green. Next day the leaves are

carted to the drying-shed. A cart supplied with a framework, in order

that the plants may be hung as they were hung under the shade, is the

best means. Perpendicular uprights at each corner of a cart or waggon

are fixed together by horizontal poles. The plants may be hung so close

as not to press heavily on each other, 200–400 being brought to the shed

at one time.

As a general rule, Judson Popenoe thinks “tobacco should be cut in about

2 weeks from topping, at which time the leaves assume a spotted

appearance and appear to have fulled up thicker; double up the leaf and

press it together with thumb and finger, and, if ready to cut, the leaf

where pressed will break crisp and short. Do not let your tobacco get

over-ripe, or it will cure up yellow and spotted: it is better to cut

too soon than too late. Take a hatchet or short corn-knife, grasp the

stalk with the left hand, bend it well to the left, so as to expose the

lower part of the stalk, strike with the knife just at the surface of

the ground, let the stalk drop over on the ground without doubling the

leaves under, and leave it to wilt. The usual practice is to worm and

sucker while the dew is on in the morning, and as soon as the dew is off

to commence cutting. There are some who advocate cutting in the

afternoon, say 3 o’clock; let it wilt and lie out until the dew is off

next day, and take it in before the sun gets hot enough to burn it. I

prefer the first plan, because a heavy dew may fall on the tobacco, and

next day be cloudy, leaving the tobacco wet and unpleasant to handle.

After cutting, allow the tobacco to wilt long enough to make the leaves

tough, so that they can be handled without tearing. Great care is now

necessary to keep the tobacco from sun-burning; cutting should be

commenced as soon as the dew is off, and all that is cut should be

housed by 11 o’clock, unless it is cloudy; from 11 to 2 o’clock the

direct rays of the sun on the tobacco, after it is cut, will burn the

leaves in 20 minutes; after 2 P. M., as a general thing, there is no

danger of such burning, the sun’s rays not striking direct on the

tobacco. Have a waggon at hand, with stiff boards, 12 feet long, laid on

the running gears; as soon as the tobacco is wilted so that it can be

handled without breaking, commence loading on both sides of the waggon

on the front end, lapping the tobacco the same as loading fodder,

keeping the butts out on both sides—build about 2 feet high, and so on

until loaded.”

Any one accustomed to the cultivation of the crop, says Bishop, “knows

when it is ripe,—the veins of the leaves are swollen, the leaves begin

to look spotted and feel thick and gummy. The ends of the leaves will

crack on being doubled up. After it is ripe, the sooner it is cut the

better, as it is liable to injury by frost or hail, and will not

increase in weight as fast as the worms eat it, and the leaves get

broken by catching them. The plants will generally ripen from the 1st to

the 15th of September; they should not be cut immediately after a heavy

rain unless in danger of frost, as a portion of the gum washes out, but

should be allowed to stand 2–3 days. The cutting should not begin until

the dew is off; a cloudy day is best, for when the sun shines hot, they

will not have time to wilt sufficiently before they will sunburn, which

may be known by the leaves turning white and looking puckered. Commence

on one side of the piece, laying the plants all one way, in order to

facilitate loading. The plants may, most of them, be broken off easily,

by gently bending them over one way and another. Small plants, which

will not break, may be sawed off with an old saw or cut with a hatchet.

If the sun shines too hot, the plants should be turned over carefully to

prevent burning. After lying an hour or two to wilt sufficiently, so as

not to break by handling, they may be carted to the barn.”

In the words of Schneider, “when the plant begins to yellow, it is time

to put it away. It is cut off close to the ground, by turning up the

bottom leaves and striking with a tobacco-knife, formed of an old

scythe—such knives as are often used for cutting corn. Let it lie on the

ground for a short time to wilt, and then carry it to the tobacco-house,

when it may be put away in three different modes, by ‘pegging,’

‘spearing,’ and ‘splitting.’ Pegging tobacco is the neatest way and

best, yet the slowest. It is done by driving pegs about 6 inches long

and ½ inch or less square into the stalk, about 4 inches from the big

end of the stalk; and these pegs are driven in with a mallet, in a

slanting direction, so as to hook on to the sticks in the house. It is

then put on to a ‘horse,’ which, by a rope fixed to one corner, is

pulled up in the house and there hung upon the sticks, which are

regulated at proper distances. A ‘tobacco-horse’ is nothing more than

three small sticks nailed together so as to form a triangle, each side

being 3–4 feet long. Spearing is the plan I pursue; because it is neat

enough and decidedly the quickest plan. A rough block, with a hole

mortised in it, and a little fork a few inches from the hole for the

tobacco-stick to rest upon, one end being in the hole and a spear on the

other end of the stick, is all the apparatus required; the plant is

then, with both hands, run over the spear and thus strung upon the

sticks, which, when full, are taken to the house and hung up at once.

There are ‘dart-spears,’ like the Indian dart, and ‘round spears.’

Either will do. ‘Splitting’ tobacco is admired by many, who contend that

it cures brighter, quicker, and is less likely to ‘house-burn’ or injure

from too thick hanging. This mode is pursued easily by simply splitting,

with a knife made for the purpose, the plant from the top to within a

few inches of the bottom, before it is cut down for housing.”

Another planter observes that “when a plant begins to ripen, it will

gradually assume a ‘piebald’ or spotted appearance. As the ripening

advances, the spots will become more distinct and individualized. When

the spots can be distinguished at the distance of 10 steps, and the

leaves of the plant turn down, become stiff to the touch, and their ends

curl under, the plant is ripe, and should be cut. From the moment it has

arrived at maturity, it begins to decay. Remember that all the plants in

your crop are to be hung after they are cut—hung on something, and by

something. Prepare a knife—a butcher-knife answers well—have it

sharp—enter it at the top of the plant, where the top was broken off.

Enter it centrally; press it downwards, dividing the stalk into two

equal portions. Continue it downwards till within 5 inches of the

ground. Withdraw the knife, and cut off the stalk close to the ground.

The plant is now cut. Lay it on the ground with the lower end towards

the sun. The plants should be placed in rows as they are cut, in order

to facilitate the labour of gathering them. There is one caution to be

heeded in cutting tobacco, and that is, do not let it be burnt or

blistered by the heat of the sun. In some varieties of tobacco this will

be effected in one hour; in others, not so soon. But this danger can be

evaded in two ways: first, by cutting late in the evening; second, by

throwing it in the shade, or covering it so as to weaken the power of

the sun. Some varieties of tobacco will wilt (that is, become soft or

limber) in 2 hours; others, in a longer time, according to the degree of

sun-heat.”

Bishop tells us that when “the plant begins to yellow or turn spotted,

it is time to put it away. It is cut off close to the ground, turning up

the leaves, and cutting off close to the roots, by a single stroke of a

hatchet, or tobacco-knife, made of an old scythe, such as are used in

cutting up corn. After cutting, let it lie on the ground a short time to

wilt, when it may be handled without danger of tearing the leaves; it is

then to be taken to the house to be ‘hung.’”

The condition of the leaf, according to Pursley, may be judged in the

following manner:—“When the tobacco is ripe, it has a yellow faded

colour, and becomes brittle; the surface of the leaf is rough and

ridged. By bending the leaf short between the fingers, it will break

before it will double. The sticks to hang it on should be in readiness.

The best mode of hanging or stringing is with a V-shaped spear, made of

iron or steel. The spear has a socket, large to admit the end of the

stick. The sticks should be sharpened at one end, to fit the socket;

should be 4 feet 6 inches in length, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. A

stick of these dimensions will hold 8 plants. The tobacco should be cut

off just below the bottom leaf, then turn the plant upside down, and let

it remain so till the sun wilts it. When it is wilted it can be handled

without breaking; then it should be taken up and laid in piles of 8

stalks each, placing the butts of the stalks towards the sun, to prevent

it from sun-burning. When it is sun-burnt it turns black, and it cannot

be cured any other colour than black, which ruins its sale. The sticks

should be strewed along, one stick to a pile; place the spear on the end

of the stick, and set the stick upright; then take up the tobacco, one

stalk at a time, and thrust it on the stick, letting the spear pass

through the stalk, about 6 inches from the butt end; then take the spear

off and take up the stick, and shake the tobacco out straight, and set

the stick up with the butts towards the sun.”

Some tobacco-growers, remarks Pursley, “prefer splitting the stalk from

the top down to within about 6 inches of the butt, then hang it on the

sticks. But I cannot agree with them, for it is more difficult to

handle, and is apt to slip off the stick, when moving it; besides, the

tobacco cured in this manner is not so heavy as if it was speared. It

dries out quicker by being split, but the substance evaporates instead

of remaining in the leaf. I am not certain that it injures the taste of

the tobacco, but I am certain that split tobacco is lighter than that

which is speared. Some prefer hanging the tobacco on scaffolds in the

field until it is ready to be put in the barn and cured by fire. But it

is the safest to house it as soon as it is strung on the sticks.

Scaffolding is done by placing poles on forks, about 4 feet apart, and

4–5 feet from the ground; then hang the tobacco between the poles,

letting the ends of the sticks rest on the poles. This procedure is

unsafe, for the rain may come and saturate the tobacco and wash off the

gum, thus making it light and chaffy.”

The maturity of tobacco is defined by Schneider as when the leaves,

which have hitherto been green, on holding them “against the sun, show

yellowish, reddish, or brownish spots, feel sticky, and when bent break

off short and clean. Before this period sets in, the _drying-house_

should be in good order. This house is built to give room for the free

hanging up of the tobacco, so that it is protected from the sun, wind,

and rain, and is allowed to dry by the free circulation of the air. Any

building, therefore, will answer which has a good roof, boarded sides,

and enough windows and air-holes (which can be closed at will) to keep

up a mild circulation of air inside, and also to keep out strong and too

quick drying winds. If the tobacco is grown on a large scale, the house

should have large doorways to drive a waggon in and out. There must be

sticks all over the house, either cross or lengthwise, and these sticks

must be ready and in their places. Now the work of harvesting the crop

is commenced on a clear or cloudy but not rainy day. The mature plants

(those not ripe are left longer on the field if not too late in the

season) are cut off near the ground, two of them tied together by the

butt-ends and hung up in the field on riders, which rest on two forks

fastened in the ground, and they are left there until evening to wilt;

then they are brought to the drying-house and hung up. The tobacco is

hung up on the upper sticks first, and the work continued downward; care

is taken that the sticks are 6–8 inches apart, also that the plants are

not too near together on the sticks, because the air should have free

passage among the plants, and when they touch or rub against each other,

unsightly spots are produced. The sticks must be pretty wide, so that

the two plants which are tied together, and one of which hangs on each

side, are held well apart. Later, when the tobacco has dried off

somewhat, the sticks and plants may be moved a little nearer to each

other; but the plants on the upper sticks must not touch those on the

lower; they should be so arranged that one lower stick is just in the

middle of the space between two upper ones.”

Another method of harvesting is recommended by Schneider for those “who

cultivate tobacco on a small scale, or who have hands and time enough.

As all the leaves on the plant do not ripen at the same time, but the

under leaves are always a little earlier than the upper ones, they may

gather the crop in the leaf, that is, taking only the matured leaves

from the stalk; this must be done daily, and so long as there are leaves

on the stalk. In this way the crop will be harvested slower, and it will

cost more, but the tobacco will be of more even quality and better. The

leaves are strung on strings instead of being hung up on sticks, with

the same care and precautions as recommended for hanging up the whole

plants. After the leaves are off, the stalks must be cut off or pulled

up, for they would still vegetate, and needlessly take away nourishment

from the soil. No more tobacco, leaves or plants should be cut than can

be taken to the drying-house and hung up the same day.”

Perry Hull’s instructions commence with a caution that the plant should

never be cut while the dew is on the leaves; “but wait until it is off,

say 10 o’clock, and what tobacco is cut from that time until 2 o’clock,

if the day is hot, will need close attention. In short, the whole

operation, from cutting in the field, to the hanging upon the poles in

the barn, needs care, as a little carelessness or inattention will

damage many dollars’ worth. No hand should be allowed to handle it, who

is unwilling to use care, and perform every operation just as directed,

or else by breaking of leaves, or sticking fingers through them, &c., he

may do more damage than his wages amount to. The plant to be cut should

be taken by the left hand, not carelessly by the leaves, but carefully

by the stalk, and as carefully leaned over, to give a chance to use the

axe, which should have a handle about one foot long. Cut the plant with

one blow, laying it carefully down, with the top to the sun; if it is

laid otherwise, the leaf will burn before the main stalk of the leaf

will wilt sufficiently to admit of handling. Even in that position, it

may burn unless attended to, but not as soon. After lying until pretty

well wilted, and before burning, turn it over and wilt the other side.

When so wilted that the main stem has lost most of its brittleness, load

as explained above; taking hold of the butt of the stalk, lay them

carefully upon the arm, and again as carefully upon the load. If the day

be very hot, use expedition in getting to the shed, else, if the

distance be great, the load may heat, which will spoil the leaves for

anything but fillers.”

When the plants are carried into the shed, “if quite warm, they should

be left only one plant deep upon the floor and scaffolds. If the day be

cool, and they are to be hung up soon, they may lie much thicker. They

should never be hung upon a pole less than 5 inches in width. If sawed

pieces are used, saw them just that; if poles are used, see that they

are about that; for if anything of less width is used, the plants will

hang so close, that the chances of ‘pole-burn’ are greatly increased.

They are fastened to the pole by a half hitch. (Their position is

represented by Fig. 9 on p. 95.) It requires two hands to hang them, one

to hand them, another to tie them. The poles should be about 18 inches

apart, and the number hung upon a 12-foot pole will depend upon the

size, from 24 to 30, so regulating them, that when thoroughly wilted,

they will scarcely touch each other. If hung thicker than this, a little

unfavourable weather will cause more or less pole-burn, sweat and mould.

After the tobacco is hung, the building should be so thoroughly

ventilated that there will be a circulation of air through every part.

The ventilators should be kept open during all fair weather, until well

cured down. During storms, shut the doors and exclude as much wet as

possible; being cautious to give it a thorough ventilation again, as

soon as the rain ceases. When it is cured enough to be husky in dry

weather, exclude all hard winds, that will crack and damage the leaves.

When the leaves are so much cured, that there is nothing about them

green but the stem, a moderate quantity of wet weather will not injure

it, but rather improve the colour; as the sap of the stalk works through

the stems into the leaves, during moist weather until the stalk has been

well frozen; after this takes place, the tobacco should be picked.”

White estimates that in “the course of 2 or 3 weeks after topping, the

plants will begin to ripen, which may be known by the change in colour

of the leaf. It will look spotted with spots of lighter green, a

yellowish green. When fully ripe the leaf may be folded together, and

moderately pressed without breaking or cracking. Now is the time to

begin to harvest it. All this is supposed to take place before there is

any appearance of frost, as a very light frost often does great damage.

All touched by it is ruined, and good for nothing. The crop must be cut

and hung, even if not fully ripe, before any frosts occur. If there are

strong appearances of a frost, you can secure the crop by cutting it

down, and putting it either under your sheds, or by putting it in piles,

not over 1 foot deep, in the field, and covering with straw. It is well

to let it stand, if not fully ripe, as long as it can safely, for the

cool nights have a tendency to thicken up the leaves. The cutting is

best performed with a hay-knife, with a sharp, rounding point, in the

following way: stand at the right-hand side of the plant or row; with

the left hand grasp the stalk down 2 or 3 leaves from the top and lean

it back on the row; now, with the point of your cutter held in the right

hand 2–3 inches from the stalk, close to the root under the bottom leaf,

with a sudden stroke or dab, sever the same from the root; lay it gently

down back in a line with the row. Proceed in like manner to cut what you

can take care of, and not get injured by sunburn. Have two rows of butts

together, lying the same way for after-convenience. This cutting is done

after the dew is off in the morning, or in the afternoon. Let it remain

until the top side is somewhat wilted; then commence to turn it over.

Step between the two rows with the butts lying toward you, and with each

hand take a plant on either side; raise them from the ground, and by

twisting the hands in or out, turn the plants, laying them either to the

right or left, as most convenient, at right angles to their former

position. Go through with the 2 rows, and you have the next 2 with the

butts the other way; take these and lay the tips directly opposite those

first turned, and you have an alley, with the butts of the plants of two

rows on either side, which will be convenient to drive in to load. When

wilted sufficient to be handled without breaking, if in the forenoon,

you can load it from the rows as they lie; if in the afternoon, it is

best to put in hakes, which is done by putting five plants at the

bottom, and on these four, decreasing one on each layer, and terminating

with one on the top; this will protect it from dew and wet. The best

cart for hauling the tobacco is a one-horse waggon, geared long, with

merely a platform resting on the axles. Such a cart can be driven

between the rows and loaded from either side, having the butts of the

plants uniformly one way, and laid crosswise on the platform. Great care

should be used, in all the handling, not to bruise, break, or tear the

leaves. Having cut all, excepting your seed-plants, strip all the leaves

from these, and set a stake to each to tie it up to; let the stake be a

foot taller than the plant; it will answer to keep a piece of old carpet

from breaking down the stalk when you wish to cover it up on cold

nights. Let the seed-plants stand till the pods or bolls are cured to a

brown, and the seed is ripe; then cut off the top of the seed-stalk, and

hang it up in some dry and safe place, where it will be ready to shell

and use the next season; only the ripest and best pods should be used.”

Libhart alludes to the existence of several ways of hanging cut tobacco

plants, but specifies the two following as the best and shortest:

“first, splitting and hanging it upon laths or poles and leaving it to

partially cure in the field; secondly, nailing it to rails with

lathing-nails, at once in the shed. The former method, for high northern

latitudes, is by far the best, as it will cure in a much shorter time

(and thus prevent the destruction of the crop by freezing in the shed),

by the drying of the pith of the stalk, which is the main reservoir of

moisture. It is performed as follows:—Have a chisel about 1 foot long

and 3 inches broad, the sharp end not bevelled on one side, but coming

to an edge by a gradual taper on both sides (a common tenon-saw will do

pretty well); place the edge of the chisel in the centre of the stalk

upon the end where it has been topped, and push it down, guiding it in

its course so as not to break or cut off any leaves, to within 3–4

inches of the ground; the stalk may then be cut off with a hatchet, or

with the chisel if it be made pretty strong. The splitting may be done

in the morning when the leaves are too brittle to admit of the stalk

being cut down, and then when the sun has sufficiently wilted the

leaves, the stalk may be cut and left to lie until it will bear handling

without breaking the leaves. The lath being previously prepared, 4 feet

in length and about 1 inch in thickness on one edge, and ½ inch on the

other, and 2 inches broad (or poles cut in the forest will answer pretty

well); then have trestles prepared high enough to allow the stalks to

hang suspended without touching the ground, and set far enough apart in

the field to admit of the lath reaching from one to another; now place

the stalks of tobacco upon the lath (previously laid across the

trestles), by slipping them over and down until they will hang

perpendicular and 6–8 inches apart, so they will merely touch, without

crowding too much. It may be left hanging thus exposed to the weather

until the leaves are so wilted that the stalks hang apart without

touching, and the lower leaves begin to dry, when it is taken off the

trestles, each lath entire, and laid upon a waggon and hauled to the

drying-shed.”

Before the tobacco is ready for harvesting, Hudson suggests the

preparation of “a supply of sticks for hanging. Sticks 4 feet long and 1

inch square are most convenient; 12 sticks to every 100 plants will be

sufficient. For sun-curing, there should be a shed built at one or more

convenient points of the patch. This may be done by placing posts in the

ground to support the poles, as represented in Fig. 8. The poles _a_

being for the support of the smaller poles _c_, upon which the

tobacco-sticks are placed, and _b_ for the cover, when necessary that it

should be shedded.”

[Illustration: FIG. 8.]

Mitjen’s translator gives the following account of the Cuban practice.

“Tobacco should be cut during the wane of the moon; and although most

_vegueros_ say that it is impossible to do this, because the leaves

commence to ripen both during the new and the full moon, and would be

over-ripe before its wane, we can, nevertheless, assert that we know

persons who never cut their tobacco during the first quarter, or when

rain has made it again green. These persons have never experienced any

difficulty; rather, on the contrary, they are those who always obtain

the best prices and the greatest money results. Cutting tobacco during

the first quarter of the moon, or when vegetation is renewed in the

leaf, is one of the principal reasons why the leaf becomes pricked with

holes, and this very frequently even before it is taken from the

plantation to the market. The system generally observed is, in cutting

tobacco, to take off, at once, all those parts of the plants which may

be really or apparently ripe, and to load up the poles indiscriminately,

without any division between the pairs of leaves (_mancuernas_). This

system is highly prejudicial. The leaves of the same plant are not all

of the same quality, neither do they all at the same time acquire the

same degree of ripeness. Those of the crown, or the pairs at the top of

the plant, immediately next the flower or seed, receive the sun direct

on their upper surface, and are the first to ripen, whereas the lower

ones, being shaded by the upper ones, remain still in an unripe state;

moreover, the lower leaves at the foot of the plant, and even those of

the fifth or fourth pairs (_mancuernas_), compared with those of the

first, second, and third pairs, are inferior in quality, and,

comparatively speaking, may be termed leaves without substance. The

contact of these leaves with the upper ones frequently occasions putrid

fermentation on the poles (_cujes_) and in the packs (this is vulgarly

called _sahorno_), especially if there is much dampness in the

atmosphere. When this misfortune happens in a tobacco curing-house all

the weak leaves will be lost, and the strong ones will be so injured

that the best quality of _capa_ would turn to _tripa_, and that of bad

consistency.

“The cause of this destruction, from which the _veguero_ suffers more or

less in the best of crops, may be easily explained. The curing of

tobacco is nothing more than a series of fermentations. It ferments on

the poles (_cujes_), ferments in the heaps (_pilon_), and ferments in

the bales. All these fermentations are requisite for obtaining a good

colour and smell, but it is better that each quality or consistency of

tobacco should ferment apart. Tobacco of good strong quality, which is

that produced by the upper leaves, naturally suffers a much stronger

fermentation than the weak ones, because the former contain a larger

proportion of juice; as the lower leaves have less substance, the

fermentation is naturally weaker and lasts less time; but if the leaves

are put in contact with those of a stronger quality, the fermentation

would be kept up by the latter, and it would indispensably result that

the weak ones would rot, and their contact be injurious to the stronger

ones. But by separating, in the field, the leaves of different

consistencies which each tobacco stalk produces, this evil is avoided,

and the dry rot is rendered impossible, unless no care whatsoever is

given in the curing-house. Therefore, the mode of reaping should be

reformed. It is best to cut the tobacco when it is thoroughly ripe, and

in the wane of the moon, making this operation in three sections or

cuts, each of which should always be placed on separate poles, in

separate rooms, heaps, and carefully picked.

“The first cut should consist only of the pair of crown leaves, and for

the poles which they are hung on, a special corner in the curing-house

should be set apart. After the first cutting, and 3 or 4 days of sun,

the second and third pairs of leaves will be ripe, and may be cut at one

and the same time, care being taken to place them on separate poles and

rooms; and, lastly, 3 or 4 days after the second cutting, the remainder

of the leaves may be gathered, but the last leaf near the ground should

not be taken, as it has no consistency, and therefore no value as

tobacco, and only serves to increase the work and give discredit to the

class of tobacco.

“Tobacco should be cut during the hottest part of the day; each pair of

leaves should be placed on the ground face downwards, so that the sun

may strike on the under part of the leaf, and in this state it should be

allowed to remain a sufficient length of time to wither, after which the

pairs of leaves (_mancuernas_) should be picked up one by one, placed

evenly on the arm, with the upper side of the leaf inwards, and each

armful should be carried to and placed on the poles (_cujes_), which

should be prepared beforehand near the spot where the tobacco is being

cut. Two forked sticks should be placed strongly in the ground, and on

these the pole should rest. After the tobacco leaves have been placed

carefully on these poles and been allowed to wither, they should be

carried to the curing-house before the sun has time to dry them. This

operation must be performed by two labourers, who can carry each time

two poles, placing the end of each on either shoulder, so that, in

walking, the leaves on one pole may not cut against those on the other.

These poles of leaves, when brought to the curing-house, should be fixed

or hung by the points on the lowest stages, but so high that the points

of the leaves do not touch the ground, and sufficiently apart one from

the other that the leaves may not touch, because, being brought in from

the field warmed by the sun, it is not judicious to allow them to touch.

When the sun is not sufficiently strong to wither the cut leaves,

reaping should not be continued. The tobacco should be so arranged on

the poles that the pieces of stalk should gently touch one with the

other, but without crowding.” However, if the weather should be damp,

and the leaves large, space should be left between the pairs.

_Drying._—The drying-shed is prepared beforehand to receive the tobacco.

When cultivating tobacco on a small scale, any shed will do, provided

that it contains a sufficient number of doors and windows to admit of

regulating the circulation of air. A roof made of straw seems to answer

very well. The shed should be high enough to admit of hanging 3 rows of

tobacco in it, one above the other. The bottom tier for the first row

should be about 3–5 feet from the ground, according to the size of the

plants, which should not touch the ground; the second tier should be 3–5

feet higher than the first; the third, 3–5 feet higher than the second;

the whole being 10–17 feet high from the bottom of the shed to the

highest tier. The tiers must be so arranged that the tobacco when hung

on the upper tier should not touch that of the lower one, and that the

rods on which the tobacco has been hung in the field fit exactly. The

windows must face each other, and be placed between the tiers, so that

the bottom part of the window is on the same level as the tier. When

cultivating on a large scale, the same arrangements are made, but the

building is higher, and is provided with a cellar, in which to place the

tobacco for the purpose of stripping, &c.

The drying-shed being ready, the plants immediately on arrival at the

shed are transferred from the conveyance, on the rods, to the lowest

tier. No rule can be given as to the distance the rods should be placed

from each other, as it varies according to the species of the plant, the

degree of ripeness, and especially the state of the weather. The purpose

of hanging the plant here on the lower tier is to cause the leaves to

dry gradually, and assume a good yellow colour, and to create a slight

fermentation in them, while allowing such a circulation of air between

the plants as will facilitate the gradual escape of the moisture from

them, and prevent the injurious development of ammonia and other

combinations that give rise to bad flavour in the tobacco. How to attain

this, exercises the judgment of the cultivator, who, by frequent

examination of the plants, and by careful observation of the changes

going on in the leaves, will soon find out the right way.

The rods should be placed closer together—(_a_) when the plants are much

wilted on reaching the shed; (_b_) when the air is very dry, and the

temperature is high; (_c_) when the leaves of the plant are very thin

and contain little water. Plants which have the leaves closely arranged

on the stems must be hung farther apart. When the air is very dry, and

there is a strong breeze, the windows must be closed. If this is not

sufficient, water may be poured on some heaps of sand, to create a moist

atmosphere in the shed. When the stems of the plant are very thick, and

consequently contain much sap, it is beneficial to open the windows,

especially at morning and evening, for some hours, that the wind may

pass over the butt-ends. As the windows are situated above the lowest

tier, the leaves will not be much affected by it.

The leaves must be examined carefully every day; one plant may progress

very well, whereas another close by may decompose too rapidly, and

another too slowly. Although no change of weather occur, it may yet be

necessary to alter the position of the rods, in order that each plant

and leaf may receive air in such a degree as is most conducive to its

proper decomposition. Any change in the weather necessitates different

arrangements. The plant should remain on the lower tier until the leaves

have turned yellow, which will take place within 6–10 days, according to

circumstances; after this, they are hung on the upper tiers. There they

should be more apart, each plant hanging free. When on the upper tiers,

the tobacco may be said to be in the free-hang; and when on the lowest

tier, in the close-hang. The object in hanging the plants more apart on

the upper tier is to dry them more rapidly there, and for this purpose,

the shutters may be opened, unless there be a strong dry wind. The

light-yellow colour of the leaves should change into a dark

yellow-golden or light-brown colour. After hanging on the upper tier for

about a week, the veins of the leaves will be nearly dry, leaving only

the midribs pliant. The drying of the leaf and the changing of its

colour proceed gradually, commencing from the margin and proceeding to

the midrib. At this time, the plants are hung closer together, the

evaporation from the leaves being little, and the space and sticks being

required. The plants hanging on two or three sticks may be hung on one

stick. All the windows may be kept open from this time; the tobacco may

also be brought into an open shed, or even hung outside exposed to the

sun. In about a week more, the midribs will be entirely dried up, and

the tobacco will be fit for stripping. In some climates, it may be

necessary to facilitate the drying by the aid of artificial heat. For

this purpose, heated air should be conducted into the drying-shed,

without the fire, or the products of combustion, being admitted.

Pursley warns tobacco growers that the plant should not be exposed to

the weather after it is cut, but should “be immediately conveyed to the

barn and hung up. As soon as it gets about half yellowed, a slow fire

should be started under it; if made too hot at first, the tobacco will

turn black. About the second day the ends of the leaves will begin to

curl up; then the fire should be gradually increased, till it heats the

tobacco blood warm; it should be kept up so till the leaf is thoroughly

cured. If this rule be strictly adhered to, the tobacco will be cured

bright. The brighter it is cured the better it sells.

“Our barns are generally built of logs, some have frames. The barn

should be made tight up to the tobacco, which should hang about 8 feet

from the ground; above this leave cracks or air-holes, sufficient for

free ventilation. A barn to hold 2½ acres of tobacco, which is as much

as one man can attend to, should be 24 feet square. It should have 5

tiers of poles, the lowest about 6 feet from the ground; these should

extend across the barn, and be fastened at each end into the walls. The

poles should be 4 feet apart, and the tiers directly one above another.

The sticks which contain the tobacco should be placed within 8 inches of

each other, on all the poles except the bottom ones, which should be

left vacant directly over the fire. When tobacco is nearly cured, it

very readily catches fire. If there be a wet spell of weather before the

stalks are thoroughly dry, build a fire under the tobacco sufficiently

hot to keep it dry. It should not get damp and pliant until the stalks

are dry, then it may be allowed to get damp.”

Libhart recommends that the shed “be constructed of timbers strong

enough to resist storms, and boarded ‘up and down.’ About every 3 feet

one board should be hinged, to readily open and shut. If it is intended

to split and lath the tobacco, the inside of the shed must be divided by

rails into widths to accommodate the lath, and likewise into tiers, one

above the other, far enough apart to allow the stalks to hang from, well

separate. The frame of rails and timbers inside the shed destined to

sustain the weight of the tiers of tobacco (which, when green, is

exceedingly heavy) should be strongly constructed, so as to preclude the

possibility of breaking down, for if this should happen to the upper

tier, in all probability the whole would be tumbled to the ground.”

The housing of the crop proceeds, says Dennis, “as fast as it is cured

up on the scaffold, or as the indications of rain make it necessary,

care being taken not to bruise or tear it in hauling. The sticks of

tobacco may be piled upon the waggon or cart, and hauled to the barn and

hung up, commencing in the highest part of the building, and filling up

as you go downwards. If the leaves are pretty well cured, you may hang

it so as to touch, without crowding it; if not, there should be a little

space between. If a cold, rainy spell comes on, you will need to

introduce some means of artificial drying. A trench is sometimes dug,

and a log or two of wood placed in it, and a fire made, taking care to

remove the tobacco immediately over the fire, and avoiding much blaze.

This is dangerous, and a better plan is to make a trench across the

floor of the barn, of mason-work, covered with sheet-iron, and leading

from a furnace outside the house on one side, to a chimney at a safe

distance on the other. The colour and quality of tobacco may be improved

by hanging it closely and curing by artificial heat, watching that it

does not become ‘funked,’ or moulded, while curing; but the best plan

for a beginner is to dry it safely, and make a sure crop, experimenting

as he goes along, in order to improve the quality, as he may safely do

so. When the stalk becomes dry and entirely cured, which will not

usually be for some weeks, the crop is ready to ‘strip.’ The hanging

tobacco yields to the influence of a rainy day or a foggy morning, and

‘comes in case,’ or softens, so it will not crumble. It must never be

handled when dry. When it is just soft, not damp, or when it is barely

so soft that it can be handled (if it is approaching that softened

state), it may be taken down and taken off the sticks, and ‘bulked,’ by

piling it alongside a partition, or by itself, with the butts of the

stalks outward in every direction, and the tops or leaves in the centre.

Several hundred pounds may be thus bulked down, and can be worked up

while the hanging tobacco has gone out of case, and cannot be touched.”

According to Bishop, it usually requires about 12 weeks to cure the

plants thoroughly, that is, so that there is no more juice in the leaves

or leaf-stems; it matters not if the main stalk is not dry, you need not

expect it, and there will be green leaves that will not cure but freeze

while green and are worthless. He calculates that to “hang an acre of

good tobacco requires a building about 30 by 24 feet with 15-feet posts.

Two girths should be framed into the posts on all sides of the building;

one 5 feet above the sill, and the other 10 feet above, to rest the

poles on, also to nail the covering boards to. This gives a space of 5

feet for each tier of plants. Have a beam run across the centre of the

building, with a post in the middle with girths to correspond with those

on the side, extending lengthwise through the middle of the building for

the poles or rails, each 12 feet in length, to be laid upon; or if

sticks are to be used (as hereafter described) lay rails or poles once

in 4 feet for the sticks to rest upon. Place a ventilator upon the

centre of the roof, and have one board in every 4 feet hung on hinges,

to be opened or closed at pleasure. If made with a floor and a cellar

underneath, to let down the tobacco into when ready stripped, it is all

the better. We will now return to the crop, and commence hanging it. A

common way of doing it is by tying with common twine. Tie the end of the

string tightly around the butt of one plant, and by placing it against

the side of the pole nearest you, put another plant on the opposite side

and carry the string over and around it, placing the plants alternately

on each side of the pole until filled, then fasten the string, place the

pole in the right place (it should be nearly right before it is filled),

and commence on the next one in like manner, having some one to hand the

plants as wanted. As to how thick to hang it depends upon the size of

the plants, but in good-sized tobacco about 9 inches on each side is

close enough, that will be from 30–32 on each pole of 12 feet; place the

poles 15–18 inches apart. Another method of hanging, much practised and

approved by many, is to hang on slats or sticks sawed out 4 feet long,

1¼ inches wide, and ⅝ inch thick. Chestnut timber is generally used

here. The common lath answers very well for this purpose. An iron made

something like a chisel is used to slip on to one end of the sticks,

which are sharpened a little at one end to receive it. It is made about

8 inches long, wedge-shaped at the small end, and a socket ½ inch by 1

inch to slip on to the sticks. When ready for use have a place fixed

near where you unload, to hold one of these sticks out at right angles

from a post and about 4 feet from the ground. Let the plants be handed

you from the load and slip them on the stick, piercing the stalk about 6

inches from the butt; put 6 or 7 plants of medium size on each stick,

thicker if smaller; when hung it will appear as in Fig. 9. As each stick

is filled, it may be carried to its place in the barn. In getting them

to the top of the barn, they may be handed up with a pitchfork, lifting

them by the middle of the sticks. These sticks should be about 8 inches

apart. I think a greater amount can be put into a given space by this

method without danger of sweating, as it is more evenly distributed. The

loose leaves that have been broken off while handling, may be cured by

placing 4 or 5 together and securing to a small pole, in the same way as

plants are hung with twine.”

Hanging is done in the following manner:—“The ‘hanger’ stands in an

erect position, having for a foothold the poles on the tier below the

one which he is hanging; he has a ball of tobacco-twine (a twine made of

flax, procurable at any seed-store) which for convenience is carried in

the bosom of the loose blouse generally worn; he stands with the left

side to the pole on which the tobacco is to be hung, left arm over it;

the stalk of tobacco is handed to him by a boy whose duty it is to pass

it to him; the stalk is then taken in the left hand and placed against

the side of the pole, the butt projecting an inch or two, around which

projection the twine is wound from left to right (the twine having

previously been fastened to the pole); the next stalk is placed on the

other side of the pole, just far enough along so that the leaves of the

two stalks will not touch and ‘pole-burn,’ and so continue, the stalks

being hung alternately on the sides of the pole, as seen in Fig. 9.

After the house is filled, some put fires under the crop to hasten its

drying; but it is found by experience that the practice is not a good

one.”

[Illustration: FIG. 9.]

[Illustration: FIG. 10.

TOBACCO-HOUSE.]

Bishop describes the common size of tobacco-house as about 100 feet long

by 24 feet wide, posts 17 feet long, and built upon a wall 18 inches

high; the buildings are framed with girths from bent to bent, for

boarding up and down, the bents being 12 feet apart. The external

appearance is illustrated in Fig. 10. “The boards for closing up the

building should be 1 foot wide, and at intervals of about 5 feet a board

should be hung with light strap hinges, to serve as a ventilator to

admit light and dry air, and to exclude damp. These ventilators or doors

must be closed on frosty nights, but in fair dry weather should remain

open. The tobacco poles, the ends of which rest upon the bents, should

be about 13 feet long, 2 inches thick by 6 inches wide, of some light

timber, such as elm or basswood, and when hung with tobacco should be

8–10 inches apart. A large door should be placed at either end for

ingress and egress. The poles, of which there should be 4 tiers, are

laid from bent to bent, resting the ends of the cross beams in the bent,

tiers 4 feet 4 inches apart.” A sectional view of the barn is shown in

Fig. 11.

[Illustration: FIG. 11.]

White suggests that stables, sheds, and barn floors can be arranged “so

as to hang up an acre or two by setting stanchions with holes mortised

in them to hold rests for your poles about 4½ feet apart. Set such ones

on either side with a very stout rail, one end in either post. Set these

as often as you may need them, depending on the length of your poles. No

poles should be so long as to sag very much when filled with plants. But

for another reason I would build a house expressly for hanging and

storing tobacco. Make it of good, liberal dimensions, 30 feet wide, by

40 or more in length; posts, 14 feet, with two tiers of girths for poles

to rest on; one tier can hang on the beams, and another above on the

purlin plates, thus hanging 4 tiers under the same roof. Ventilate by a

ventilator in the roof, also by hanging every other board of the siding

on hinges. For such a building, I would have a tight floor to the whole,

and underneath a good walled cellar lighted with suitable windows, and

chimney in one corner, with a stove, to keep fire in in very cold

weather, to work by when stripping the tobacco. For poles to hang on, I

would get, if possible, straight, slim, white pine staddles about 4–5

inches in diameter; shave the bark off smooth, and we have poles that

will last and remain straight a lifetime, if kept housed.

“Having provided all required, even to the strong cotton or hemp twine

for tying up the tobacco, have a good man to hand it to you. Commence by

tying the end of your twine around the butt of a plant, about 2 inches

from the end, in a slip or loose knot; place this plant at one side of

the pole near the end, your hand carrying the twine over the pole; on

the opposite side of the pole, about 6 inches along, place another

plant, and with a single turn of the twine around it from before, round

back, and by drawing it close, the plant is secure. Proceed thus till

you have filled your pole; then with a knife, cut a notch in the pole

and draw your twine through, and it is fast. You can now cut it off and

commence another pole. Place the poles far enough apart to prevent the

tobacco crowding; about 1 foot will do. In this manner you will have a

row of plants hanging on each side of the pole about 1 foot apart. The

man, in handing up, should take the plant by the butt, carefully from

the pile or load, raise it up and gently shake it sideways, to shake off

dirt and loosen the leaves when stuck together, and also adhering to the

stalk; with the other hand, take hold about midways of the stalk and

pass to the one tying up, enabling him to receive the plant in such a

way as to not need to shift it in his hand, but to place it immediately

into its position beside the pole. All leaves which are accidentally or

otherwise broken from the plants, should be gathered up each day, and

hung three or four in a bunch, the same way as the plants, or string

them on a string; the latter is the best way—with a large needle-thread,

a suitable cord, and on to this string the leaves one at a time, by

running the needle through near the end of the stem. These can be hung

by attaching the two ends to some suitable nail, and having it remain

stretched. In this way they will cure very well.

“Having housed the whole of your crop, give it all the air you can, by

opening doors, shutters, &c. Let them remain open during pleasant

weather, remembering to close them in wet, damp weather, as well as

nights; and also shading the crop so far as may be from the direct rays

of the sun, to prevent blanching. When it has nearly cured, shut it up

and let it remain till perfectly cured. This may be known by the stem of

the leaves being dried up, so that no green sap will show itself. If you

have hung in your stables and other places that you wish to use, it will

be necessary to take it down and strip it at the first favourable

opportunity, which is described farther along. The separate building

elsewhere described is to be preferred, as it does not necessitate any

immediate hurry in getting it down. In such it can be allowed to hang

and freeze and thaw two or three times, which improves the colour and

weight, and will give more leisure in stripping, &c. Watch a favourable

time, when it rains and is damp, to open your buildings, and let in the

damp air till the tobacco is damped, so that it can be handled without

any danger of breaking the leaves. It need not get too damp, as in that

case it is liable to injure in the pile before you can get it stripped.

It will gain dampness from the stalk.”

The Cuban tobacco planter, according to Davis, “would force the drying

in wet weather and retard it in dry weather, as either extreme is

injurious; the wet is injurious, as the leaves, when they change from

the natural colour to a pale yellow and light brown, easily mildew; when

dry, as before-named, it is taken down. Damp weather is best, so as not

to break the leaves, which are immediately stripped from the stalks and

sorted into as many grades as the market may require, from one to four

and even more grades, as ‘bright yellow, dull, seconds, and

ground-leaves.’ But I see no necessity for but three grades, as the

over-ripe, the unripe, and the just ripe at cutting, and when properly

dried they show their grade plain enough to sort. After being stripped

and sorted, they are to be separately piled (‘bulked’ some say) in

courses of leaves—2, 4, or 6 tiers of leaves, stems end out, and 3–4

feet high. The leaves should be kept straight in all these handlings.

The heap should be made up each day separate, as it begins to make

tobacco in 12 hours or so, by fermenting, which is variously called

‘curing,’ ‘sweating,’ ‘conditioning,’ &c. Soon as the heap begins to get

warm it should be re-piled, putting the inner tier out so as to equalize

the fermentation; some re-pile several times and some none; but the

fermentation should be kept equal, and if covered with old sail-cloth it

can be regulated. This fermenting is allowed to proceed for 4–6 weeks by

careful manufacturers; as it is the process that makes the tobacco to

suit the taste of tobacco-epicures it should be carefully done, yet many

do it in a careless manner, and thus have an article so poor as to not

find many lovers. At the end of the 4–6 weeks the Cuba grower would have

one side of each leaf slightly moistened with the decoction of tobacco,

which is made by letting some leaves rot in clean water, and then he

would tie it up in hanks of 25 or 30 leaves, and hang one day for

drying, then take it down and pack it in tight casks as being best. From

these leaves he would make the best Cuba cigars. The Virginian grower

would not wet his tobacco after it had fermented, but simply tie it in

hanks so that 5 or 6 would weigh a pound, and then pack it in his

hogsheads for market; and this, after it had lain from one to six months

in the ‘conditioning bulks.’”

Burton, translating from Mitjen, goes more fully into the Cuban

practice. He advises firstly that the “shoots and the sprouts should be

put apart from the principal tobacco, with which it should never be

mixed, neither in the heaps nor in the packages. The day after the

tobacco has been cut and placed in the curing-houses, the poles should

be pushed together, making thus a compact mass, with the object, that by

means of the warmth, which this contact produces, the fermentation

should commence, called _maduradero_. In this state it should remain 2

or 3 days, according to the consistency of the tobacco and the state of

the atmosphere. By means of this first fermentation it acquires an equal

and a yellowish colour: by the second or third day, at the latest, this

colour should be uniform, and then without loss of time the poles should

be spread apart, and given all the ventilation possible, so that

fermentation may not continue, and the drying of the leaves may be

facilitated—care being taken that they are not exposed to the dew, the

sun, nor to sprinkling of water, should it rain. As the tobacco dries,

the poles should be hung on higher pegs, so as to leave the lower ones

unoccupied for the fresh leaves brought from the fields. This operation

should be performed early in the morning whilst the leaves are flexible

and soft; because later in the day they become crisper, and are more apt

to tear.

“It is not judicious to allow the tobacco to dry too precipitately, by

exposing it to a very strong current of air, because strong wind greatly

injures its quality; many leaves break, and that silkiness of appearance

is destroyed which good leaves should have, and which it is desirable to

preserve. During heavy winds the doors of the drying-house should be

kept closed; they should also be kept closed if there is much dampness

in the atmosphere occasioned by heavy and continuous rain. Dampness

causes mildew, which shows itself first in the points of the leaves, and

is the commencement of the rot. Under these circumstances, and to check

this evil, it is convenient to spread, or part the poles a little; and

if the rains, or the excess of humidity continue, fires should be

kindled and smoke made in the curing-houses, opening at the same time

the doors and the windows, so as to facilitate the circulation of air

whilst the smoking is going on.

“After the tobacco is thoroughly dry, it should be placed on the highest

beams, or pegs, of the framework which support the poles, squeezing them

compactly together. This must be done in the morning whilst the leaves

are soft, and all this should be done with a view of protecting it from

the effects of change in the atmosphere. The house should, after this,

be kept closed, until it is time to make the heaps.

“The object of heaping up the tobacco is to produce a second

fermentation, so as to equalize the colour of the leaf and wear out of

it that excess of gluten or resinous matter which is natural to the

plant; this fermentation makes the leaves more silky and ductile, and

gives them a more agreeable flavour. The place for making the heaps

should be prepared beforehand, in one or more of the rooms of the

tobacco-house, by making a kind of box lined with _yaguas_ (sheets of

palm-tree bark) at the bottom and the sides, the base is a boarding on

which should be placed a sufficient quantity of dry plantain leaves,

which serve as a bed for the heaps.

“In the months of April or May, when the rainy season commences, the

poles which are on the highest pegs of the scaffolding should be taken

down and placed somewhat apart, one from the other, on the lower pegs.

The doors of the house should be left open at night, so that the

humidity from the atmosphere may enter, and when, in the morning, the

tobacco is found to be soft and silky, it is fit to be placed in heaps.

The pairs of leaves should then be collected in armfuls, with all the

bits of stalks placed in one direction; the leaves that may be found

doubled or crooked should be smoothed out, and each armful should be

placed in layers in the heaps, placing the first layer at the bottom

with all the woody pieces of the stalk touching the _yagua_ which forms

the sides of the case; other layers should be placed with the stalk

reversed, and in this manner, crossing the leaves, the pile should be

raised up level. When a pile has a sufficient height, another, and

another, is made until the tobacco is finished or the case is full, so

that each heap may form a compact mass of leaves protected by the pieces

of stalk all round, which should never touch the leaves, but only touch

each other. When the heaps have been thus made, they should be covered

with dry plantain leaves, or palm skins, and, in front, by palm leaves.

“Tobacco should not be packed thus when it is too damp, because a very

strong fermentation would ensue, which, if kept up longer than

necessary, would pass to putrefaction. The tobacco only requires to be

soft, or flexible, before packing, so as to produce a certain degree of

heat, neither is it convenient to pack tobacco when too dry, for then it

would not ferment at all, nor would any beneficial results be produced.

When it has been packed sufficiently soft, it undergoes after the second

or third day a degree of heat of 110° to 120° F. in the centre of the

heap, and if it does not acquire this degree of heat it is because it

has been packed too dry.

“We have already said that reaping or cutting tobacco should be

performed in three distinct sections, preserving always a distinction,

consequently the crown leaves should form one heap, or one set of heaps;

the second and third pairs another, or others; the fourths and the

fifths others; and lastly, the _capaduras_ (second shoots from the same

plants) others. This system, besides having the advantages which we have

in another place described, greatly facilitates the sorting of the

leaves, as the different qualities are from the first kept apart, and

scarcely any other work remains to be done than that of taking out the

broken leaves. Tobacco should be kept for at least 30 days in heaps,

after which, sorting and choosing the leaves may commence, beginning

first with the heaps of the inferior qualities.”

_Stripping._—Stripping may be performed at any time, provided the

leaves, after being once properly dried, have again become pliable. For

stripping, such a number of plants as will furnish work for several days

are taken down on a morning, when the plants have absorbed some

moisture, and have become elastic; they are put in a heap, and properly

covered, to check evaporation. If, however, the night air should be so

very dry that the leaves cannot absorb sufficient moisture to become

pliable, a moist atmosphere can be created either by steam, or by

pouring water on the floor, or by keeping vessels with water in the

shed. If this cannot be done, the tobacco must remain hanging until

there is damp weather. Under no condition should the tobacco be stripped

when not pliant, that is if the leaves are so brittle that they would

break when bent or rolled. The best arrangement is to keep the

drying-shed and stripping-room separate, since the latter requires to be

more moist than the former. A cellar under the drying-shed is best

suited for stripping. It should be large enough to admit of the erection

of a scaffold to receive the tobacco.

Pursley looks upon stripping as being labour suited to damp weather. He

says, “the lugs, shipping, and manufacturing, which are worst, medium,

and best qualities, should be separated at stripping. The ‘lugs,’ or

worst quality, are found at the bottom of the plant; they are chaffy and

light leaves, and should be stripped from the stalk and tied in bundles

by themselves with all of the ragged, black, and injured leaves. The

second quality, or ‘shipping tobacco,’ is a grade above the lugs; it is

the red or brown tobacco; this should also be tied in separate bundles.

The best, or ‘manufacturing,’ is the finest and brightest leaves, and

should be put in bundles by itself. In stripping, the stems of the

leaves should be broken off as close as possible to the stalk; this adds

to the weight of the tobacco. In forming a bundle, the butts of the

leaves should be placed evenly, and closely together, and pressed

tightly in the hand; then a leaf should be folded to form a wrapper 2

inches in width; then wrap it tightly and smoothly around the butts of

the leaves, winding it from the end down, about 2½ inches, then open the

bundle in the middle, and tuck the wrapper-leaf through the opening, and

draw it snug, so that when the opening is closed the wrapper-leaf will

remain; this forms a bundle which we call a ‘hand of tobacco.’ The hands

should be strung on sticks, and hoisted up in the barn on the

tier-poles; 18–20 hands may be put on each stick, at equal distances

apart.”

Libhart expresses his opinions on stripping in the following words. “At

the setting in of a warm, drizzling, wet, foggy spell of weather, the

shed must be opened on all sides to allow the damp atmosphere to pervade

the whole interior; after the dry leaves have become damp enough to

allow handling in any degree without breaking, the stalks must be taken

off the lath or pulled down and laid in heaps about 18 inches or 2 feet

high, and any desired length; if it is not intended to strip it

immediately, it should be conveyed to a cellar or other apartment, where

it will remain damp; it should not, however, be suffered to remain

longer than 2 or 3 days in heaps, without examination, as there is

sometimes sufficient moisture remaining in the stalks or frozen leaves

to create heat and rot the good tobacco. If found to be heating, it

should be changed about and aired and be stripped immediately. If found

to be drying out, further evaporation may be checked by covering the

heaps with damp straw or corn-fodder. Tobacco is usually stripped into

two qualities, ‘ground-leaf,’ or ‘fillers,’ and ‘wrappers’; the leaves

that lie next the ground, generally from 2 to 4, are always more or less

damaged by sand beaten on by the rain and other causes, hence they only

command about half the price of the good tobacco or ‘wrappers.’ The

ground-leaves are taken off first and tied up separately in bunches.

With a bunch clasped in one hand, take a leaf and wrap it around

(beginning at the end of the bunch), confining the end under the first

turn, continue to wrap smoothly and neatly until about 3 inches of the

leaf remains, then open the bunch in the middle and draw the remaining

part of the leaf through. This forms a neat and compact ‘hand,’ that

will bear a great deal of handling without coming open. After the

ground-leaves have been removed, the good leaves are stripped off and

tied up the same as the ground-leaves, with this exception: the leaves

of each stalk should be tied in a bunch by themselves, to preserve a

uniformity in colour and size, as tobacco is sold in the market

according to colour and size, therefore if the leaves of a large and a

small plant, or of a dark-coloured and a light one, be tied up together,

it at once diminishes the appearance and value of the crop.”

[Illustration: FIG. 12.

HAND OF TOBACCO.]

Dennis describes stripping as being “performed by holding the plant, top

down, with the left hand, while with the right hand the leaves are

pulled off, taking care to have the stems all even in the hand, so that

the ends are together. When 10–15 leaves have thus been grasped by the

right hand, change the handful to the left hand, and with the right,

select a leaf and wrap it around the stems at the end, so as to bind

them altogether and cover up the ends, then split the other leaves apart

with the finger, and pull the end of your wrapping-leaf through, and you

have a ‘hand’ of tobacco. A small ‘hand’ of leaves, uniform in size and

colour, will be found the most desirable shape to tie it in, resembling

Fig. 12. The bottom leaves of the plant, and all torn and defective

leaves, should be tied up by themselves, and are known as ‘lugs.’ These

‘hands’ should be ‘bulked’ again, with the wrapped end out, and covered

with straw, or anything that will retain the ‘case,’ and if subject to

immediate sale, may be boxed up or hauled to market. If boxed, it should

be put in tight boxes—if hauled, it should be kept covered until

unloaded. Care must be taken to avoid ‘high case’—extreme dampness or

softness in bulking tobacco after it is stripped—as it may be ‘funked’

in bulk, and ruined; and it should not be packed in that condition when

it is liable to remain long. It is a crop that is never off of hands.”

According to Perry Hull, stripping, or, as he terms it, “picking,”

should not take place till about December; “at least not until the _fat

stems_ (main stems of the leaves, which are not thoroughly cured at the

butt-end) have mostly or all disappeared, which they will have done by

that time, if the crop reached maturity before harvesting. The

operations of picking and assorting are by many, who make only two

classes or qualities of the tobacco, carried on at the same time. By far

the preferable way is, especially if there is a very large crop to pick,

to take off the leaves during damp or wet weather, tie them into bundles

of 15–20 lb., with twine, and pack it away into cellars, or wherever it

can be kept without drying up. It can then be assorted in any kind of

weather, thus gaining considerable time, as two will pick and tie up in

this way as much during one wet spell as 6 hands would, assorting and

hanking up, at the same time. Another reason why the last practice is

preferable is, that, by the former, the assorting can be but

indifferently done; whereas, by the last, it can be done as carefully as

desired. Tobacco should not be allowed to get too wet before picking; in

fact, should not be allowed to get wet at all, so as to feel wet, only

just damp enough to make the leaves pliable, so as to handle and pack

without breaking or feeling husky. If allowed to get wet, before

picking, it is next to impossible to get it dried to the proper state

again so uniformly but that some of the leaves will still be too wet,

while others will be dry enough to crack and break. So if the rains are

long enough to get it too wet, which they often are, by all means let it

remain upon the poles until the next wet spell.”

_Sorting._—Tobacco intended for smoking should be carefully sorted when

stripped. There should be four sorts: 1st, large, equally good coloured,

untorn leaves; 2nd, leaves of good size and colour, but torn; 3rd,

leaves of inferior colour, and bottom leaves; 4th, refuse, shrivelled-up

leaves, &c., to which may be added the suckers No. 1 leaves, when thin,

elastic, and of good sorts, are mostly valued as wrappers (outside

covers) for cigars, No. 2 may also be used as wrappers, but are less

valued than No. 1; they are adapted for fillers and cut tobacco. The

different sorts are kept separate. The best plan is to let the most

intelligent man strip the leaves from the stem, and at once separate

them according to quality. The leaves should then be made into hands,

i.e. 10–20 leaves should be tied together by twisting a leaf round the

end of the stalks, each sort being attended by a special man, to avoid

mixing. The leaves of the first sort being large, 10–15 will be

sufficient for a hand; more are required of the other sorts. When making

the hands of the two first sorts, each leaf is taken separately,

smoothened on a flat board, and left there while another is treated in

the same way, continuing thus until a sufficient number is ready to make

a hand. When the hand is ready, it is laid aside, and a weight is placed

upon it to keep the leaves smooth.

To sell well, according to Perry Hull, tobacco “should be assorted into

three classes or grades, Wrappers, Seconds, and Fillers. The wrappers

will include the soundest, best-coloured leaves, the colour (a dark

cinnamon) should be as uniform as possible; this quality should include

nothing but what is fit for wrappers. The Seconds, which are used as

binders for cigars, &c., will include the small top leaves, of which, if

the tobacco was topped too high, there will be one or two to each

plant—the bad colours, and those leaves somewhat damaged by worms and

bad handling, but not so much so as to be ragged. The third class, or

Fillers, will include the balance of the crop, bottom leaves, ragged

leaves, &c. The tobacco should be done up into hanks of about ⅓ lb.

each, or about what can be encompassed by the thumb and fingers, winding

at the butt with a pliable leaf, drawing the end through the hank to

secure it.”

The Cuban system of sorting is described at considerable length by

Mitjen, whose remarks are interpreted by Burton as follows. The

operation consists in “separating one from the other the different

leaves, according to their strength and quality, and dividing the

produce of the crop into various classes. These are, in practice, styled

_Libra_, 1st quality; _Quebrado_, 2nd quality, broken; _Injuriado de

primera_; _Injuriado de segunda_, _de tercera_, _de cuarta_, _de

quinta_, _de sexta_, _de setima_; _Libra de pie_, and _capadura_.

“Under this classification it is presumed that attention has been

bestowed, not only to the special quality of the leaf, but also to its

size, and its state, whether whole or broken; but it is very seldom that

exactness is found in this classification, because but very few persons

possess the requisite skill which such a complicated mode of sorting

requires. Moreover, by the abuse of mixing in one heap all kinds of

leaves, frequently brought in from the fields all mixed together, the

proper sorting of tobacco becomes a very complicated affair.

“This kind of classification and nomenclature is, moreover, absurd, and

does not positively represent fixed qualities, under the denomination of

which, prices might be arranged which would serve as a guide to the

merchant as well as the grower. In a word, the names, with which the

different qualities of tobacco are to-day distinguished, signify

nothing, and it is ridiculous to be guided in business by them. Until

this kind of classification and nomenclature is changed, it is

impossible to quote the mercantile prices for the different qualities,

because the name does not represent the quality; and this confusion

tends greatly to the prejudice of the planter, and the merchant; and

hinders attaining the perfection after which we should strive.

“We have shown that the practice of making a classification of seven

_Injuriados_ must not be taken as absolute. There are better modes of

sorting in which a separation of 8, and even 9 _Injuriados_ should be

made, and others, and by far the greater proportion, in which only 5

_Injuriados_ should be separated; so that the quality which, in one

sorting, would appear under that of fifths—being the lowest of the

crop—would be equal to eighths, or ninths, if picked more carefully; and

the fifths, in a sorting, whose lowest class may be sevenths, is about

equal in quality to that of thirds of other pickings, whose lowest class

would be fifths, if both crops had produced equal kinds of tobacco.

“There is even more to confirm our opinion. Supposing two crops equal in

all respects, and that each planter makes a separation of 7

_Injuriados_. This would not ensure that the intrinsic value of each

respective quality would be equal; for each _Veguero_ has his own

particular mode of considering the different classes, and some make a

much more careful sorting than others. In the supposed case it may

happen, as it frequently does, that the _Veguero_ A will take from his

crop—which we will suppose to be one hundred packages—2 of the first, 3

of the second, 5 of the third, 8 of the fourth, 12 of the fifth, 30 of

the sixth, and 40 of the seventh; whereas the _Veguero_ B will take from

his, 4 of the first, 6 of the second, 10 of the third, 16 of the fourth,

32 of the fifth, 21 of the sixth, and 11 of the seventh; and it would

result, from the comparison of these two supposed pickings, that each of

these classes of the _Vega_ A would correspond to the immediate superior

one of the _Vega_ B, as will be shown on the following calculation:—

A.

$ $

2 Bales, 1st at 120 = 240

3 ” 2nd ” 100 = 300

5 ” 3rd ” 80 = 400

8 ” 4th ” 60 = 480

12 ” 5th ” 40 = 480

30 ” 6th ” 25 = 750

40 ” 7th ” 20 = 800

—— ———

100 $3450

—— ———

B.

$ $

4 Bales, 1st at 100 = 400

6 ” 2nd ” 80 = 480

10 ” 3rd ” 60 = 600

16 ” 4th ” 40 = 640

32 ” 5th ” 25 = 800

21 ” 6th ” 20 = 420

11 ” 7th ” 10 = 110

——— ————

100 $3450

——— ————

“Here it may be seen that the second of A is worth as much as the first

of B, the third of A as much as the second of B, and so successively in

the other classes; and as it is of importance that names should

represent fixed objects, and that each quality should represent a

relative value, we think that the sortings and the classifications

deserve a reform, which would undoubtedly bring with it advantages to

the planter, to the merchant, the manufacturer, and the consumer.

“The reform in the sortings should take its origin from a reform in the

plantation or field, and principally in the manner of cutting. By

observing a methodical and well-calculated system, each one of the

operations prepares and facilitates the execution of the succeeding one.

In its proper place, we have recommended that the tobacco planter should

not attempt to plant more than 12,000 plants for each labourer employed,

so that all the plants may receive proper cultivation and attention. If

all these plants are equally well taken care of, if the land has been

properly prepared with manure, and all have had the same advantage of

season, it is a necessary consequence that the fruit will be equally

good. If afterwards the cutting or cropping is made in 3 sections,

preserving always the separation we have recommended, we shall have,

naturally, not a capricious assortment of leaves, but one in the order

established by nature.

“None will, we think, question the fact that the pairs of leaves on one

stalk must be equal in quality to those cut from an adjoining stalk,

that is to say, all the crown leaves must be of the same quality, all

the second also, and so successively. This admitted, we have the

separation of qualities made, almost, in the field, and it only remains

to separate the sizes, and the sound leaves from the torn ones, an

operation which any person can make; and thus it will be unnecessary to

employ those workmen who style themselves sorters, who are supposed to

have an exact knowledge of the properties of each leaf. The sortings

ought, therefore, to be made by classes, or by bales, each containing

the separate qualities beginning with the bale of _capaduras_ and

_mamones_, which may be mixed together in the same bale. Of this

quality, however, not more than two classes should be made, which may be

called suckers and sprouts; and in the class called sprouts, the sound

and larger leaves of good consistency should be placed. The result would

be a _tripa_ of good quality, and, after throwing away all those that

are really without substance, the remainder would form the second class,

and would make a useful _tripa_, although inferior to the former.

“When these are made, the next bales should be made of tobacco chosen

from the inferior class of leaves, of which 3 classes ought to be made,

and called _sano_, _quebrado_, and _desecho de tercera_. In the first

class of these, which we will call third quality, should be placed all

the sound leaves which have any consistency; and this would form a weak

_capa_, equal to that which is now called clear fifths, _quinta limpia_,

and this might be called _sano de tercera_. The second class should

contain the torn or broken leaves of good consistency, but not so much

broken or injured as to merit only the name of shavings, as the leaves

which are very much torn, or small pieces of leaves, are called. This

class would be called _quebrado de tercera_, and might be used for

inferior _tripa_. The last class of this quality, after throwing away

all the useless leaves, would be called _desecho_.

“After this, and in the same order as the preceding, three classes

should be made from the sortings for the heaps of bad seconds and

thirds, and called _sano_, _quebrado_, and _tripa_ of the second class.

The first of these should contain all the sound leaves, and should be

called _sano de segunda_, second-class sound. The second should be

composed of the damaged leaves, but good for making _capa_, and should

be called second-class broken; and the third, which will be the most

broken, should be called second-class _tripa_.

“Finally, the picking, or sorting for the pile of pairs of crown leaves

should be made; and of this quality there should also be three classes,

which will be denominated ‘_sano_,’ ‘_quebrado_,’ and ‘_tripa de

corona_,’ observing always the same order as was done for the piles or

heaps of seconds and thirds.

“Sorting carried on in this order is so simplified that we do not doubt

it might be done in one-third the time taken under the present system;

and the labour of the resorters would be dispensed with, which most of

the _vegueros_ have now to employ and pay, as many of them do not

consider themselves sufficiently expert in the matter to classify their

own tobacco. This classification and nomenclature represent exact

qualities to which a relative value can be fixed, and may serve as a

base for mercantile transactions.

“The manufacturer will not have to contend with bales of mixed tobacco

containing all the different classes which the _vega_ may have produced;

and he will find this division very convenient to determine the time

when each class may be used without having any loss from finding in them

leaves that are not seasoned, whilst others of the same bale, and

perhaps of the same _manojo_, may have become deteriorated from having

remained too long in fermentation. The manufacturer will, without any

great trouble, be able to make the assortment for strong and weak

_tripa_ according to the quality of _capa_ which is going to be used, a

most essential point in cigar making, and thus he will be able to make

cigars with all perfection. All these advantages will result from

adopting the reform in the manner of sorting which we propose. And, in

spite of its simplicity, it is much more positive and extensive, as it

will be composed of four qualities subdivided into eleven classes. The

consumer, too, will have the advantage of being able to procure cigars

manufactured completely of the quality which he prefers, and the

contents of each box, or each set of boxes, will be all equal both in

flavour and colour, which, under the present system, it is difficult to

find. The classes will be styled:—

{ 1st class Sound crown.

First quality { 2nd ” Broken ”

{ 3rd ” Stuffing ”

{ 1st class Sound seconds.

Second quality { 2nd ” Broken ”

{ 3rd ” Stuffing ”

{ 1st class Sound thirds.

Third quality { 2nd ” Broken ”

{ 3rd ” Stuffing ”

Fourth quality, 1st and 2nd Suckers and sprouts.

“It is scarcely necessary to add that, according to the preceding system

of sorting, only 3 divisions, cases, or rooms, with _yaguas_, will be

required for depositing the respective qualities which the workmen may

be assorting, until sufficient quantity has been collected in each to

commence the seasoning or painting, _betumeo_, _enmannillado_, or

_engavillado_, _manojo_, and _enterciadura_.

“In all kinds of sortings, the fragments of broken leaves, too small to

use for cigars, should be collected, sponged, and with them packages

made of _picadura_. This should be preserved, and the following year it

will be useful for making _betun_. Wash the tobacco, or rather sponge

it, with a solution made from these pieces of good leaves, and not with

a solution made from stalks and trash of new tobacco, as some do. The

wash (_betun_) has the same effect on tobacco that yeast has on bread.

It is the agent employed to produce a strong and quick fermentation,

from which results that strong and agreeable aroma that may be observed

in old tobacco which has been well _betumeado_ (sponged with tobacco

infusion). This infusion, made with fresh tobacco, is not bad if made

carefully, but we consider that made with old tobacco is the best,

because it instantly imparts an agreeable odour to the leaves on which

it is used; and, instead of the infusion which is generally used, it

would be cleaner and better, if a strong decoction was made from

_picadura_—the small pieces of leaves of good tobacco—and used after it

had become cold, or on the day after the boiling is made.

“If the wash is made by infusion, at least two jugs should be used to

make it in, and it should be only used on the third or fourth day,

renewing it as often as it appears to pass into a state of putrid

fermentation, in which state it is of no use, and on which account two

deposits are necessary, so that one at least may always be in a fit

state to use, whilst the other is acquiring the necessary strength and a

transparent golden colour, in which state it is fit for use.

“Each tobacco leaf should be dyed separately, and not, as some do, after

it has been made up into _gavillas_—small bundles tied at one end of the

leaf. It is very important that all the leaves should equally receive

the benefit, and this is impossible when several are tied together. The

good system of dyeing is used by all practical _vegueros_; to save

labour some do it otherwise, to the great injury of the aroma and

quality, and no small risk of the tobacco becoming spotted, and full of

holes; for tobacco invariably commences to show these spots and small

holes near the heads of the _gavilla_, where the dye has not been able

to penetrate owing to the manner in which the leaves are tied. Each leaf

ought, therefore, to be dyed separately, as the most intelligent people

do. The leaves should be placed separately in rows on a bench, having

all the heads in one line; then the dye should be applied by means of a

sponge, which should be soaked in the dye or infusion, and squeezed, so

that a dampness only will be communicated to the leaf.

“In passing the sponge over the leaf, it should be drawn from the head

or thick part near the stalk, down the large vein to the point, so that

the thick vein down the centre of the leaf may receive the heaviest part

of the infusion, from which the dye pushes along the transversal veins,

and all parts derive benefit from it.

“After dyeing the first layer on the bench, another one is placed above

this, keeping always the leaves in the same direction; and this

operation is repeated, and each layer is sponged, until the pile from

which they are taken is exhausted. As this new pile of dyed leaves

gradually increases in height, it should be gently pressed down with the

hand, and, when finished, should be covered over with green plantain

leaves. This operation should be done in the morning, and by nightfall

the tobacco will have acquired the necessary softness, and soaked up the

infusion, so that the leaves, although very flexible, will have no signs

of excess in moisture. If they have, they should be spread to dry

somewhat, because, when the bundles of leaves are being tied up, they

should not be excessively wet, as the result would probably be so strong

a fermentation that it would degenerate into a putrid one. The leaves

should have a soft silkiness, but should have no positive signs of water

on them after they have been dyed.

“When the tobacco is in a good state of softness, the next operation is

the ‘_cabeceo_.’ This operation consists in uniting the leaves by the

heads—putting them perfectly even, and joining together a uniform number

of each class. The leaves should be collected in the palm of the left

hand, drawing gently the right hand over all the length of each leaf

from the head to the point, and tying them at the heads with a piece of

_yagua_ or vine, or, as most people do, by binding one of the leaves

round the head of the bundle. This operation is generally made in the

evening, and the following morning they should be placed in the bales,

as it injures the tobacco to allow it to dry in _manojos_ before putting

it into bales, for, if too dry, fermentation is retarded, or is

incomplete in the bales.

“We have described the manner of washing or dyeing, in making the

_gavillas_, and tying them in bundles as the most practical _vegueros_

do. In this part we should not, we think, advise any innovation, except

that of using old seasoned tobacco instead of fresh for making the

infusion, and substituting a decoction made by boiling, instead of an

infusion in cold water. But we strongly advise a reform in the sorting

and the classification; and a fixed number of each class of leaves

should be put in each _gavilla_, as a basis from which to start all

calculations for mercantile transactions. We believe, therefore, it

would be convenient to fix, after the following order, the number of

leaves which each head ‘gavilla’ should contain:-

{ Sound 25 leaves to each _gavilla_

First quality { Broken or torn 30 ” ”

{ For stuffing 40 ” ”

{ Sound 30 ” ”

Second quality { Broken or torn 35 ” ”

{ Stuffing 43 ” ”

{ Sound 40 ” ”

Third quality { Broken or torn 45 ” ”

{ _Desecho_ } These three classes

} may be added without

Fourth quality { Suckers } counting the

{ Sprouts } number of leaves,

but making the heads (_gavillas_) of a regular uniform size; and the

_manojos_ and bales of about the same size as those of ‘sound’ and

‘broken’ of the third quality, the latter weighing 100–125 lb.

“By following strictly this method, and by establishing these quantities

and qualities, as a basis for all contracts, any defects found might

easily be obviated; and very exact calculations might be made of the

number of cigars each bale would yield, after having examined its

special condition; and its real value might be estimated either by bales

or bundles, or by weight.”

_Bulking._—Bulking means placing the tobacco-leaves in heaps for the

purpose of heating, in order to develop colour and flavour; this is

carried out in various ways, nearly all involving great labour and risk,

as in most instances tobacco loses more or less in value during the

process called “curing.” The more care is taken in raising the crop, the

less attention the tobacco requires in the shed. With a good kind of

tobacco, grown on light, friable soil, treated as described, little care

will be needed, after the leaves are dried and stripped. By the drying

process, the leaves will have undergone a slow fermentation, which makes

it unnecessary to watch or guide a regular fermentation afterwards,

hence bulking and fermenting, as generally understood, are not required.

After being made into hands, the tobacco is put into heaps (bulked)

before it again dries. Every evening, the tobacco that has been stripped

during the day is bulked; but if the weather be very dry, it must be

bulked as soon as a certain number of hands is ready. The heaps should

be made 4–8 feet square and 4–8 feet high; all the stalks are outside,

and the whole is covered by mats, &c., to check evaporation. The drier

the tobacco, the larger must the heaps be made, to encourage a slight

fermentation. The extent of the fermentation can be easily controlled.

If the colour of the leaves is not uniform, or if it is desired to give

them a browner colour, the heaps must be made large, and a somewhat

moist atmosphere is required in the storing-room. This will cause

fermentation to set in after a short time, and the heat to rise after

some days, so much so that rebulking is required, which is done by

putting the top leaves of the old heap at the bottom of the new one.

Under such circumstances, the heap must be frequently examined during

the few first weeks, to prevent overheating. It is advisable to rebulk

the tobacco also, even when not much heated, after the first fourteen

days, and again a month later, to ascertain the exact state in which it

is. Sometimes the tobacco becomes mouldy; this occurs especially with

tobacco which has been manured with chlorides, which cause it to become

more hygroscopic than when manured otherwise. If this occurs, the mould

must be brushed off, and, if necessary, the tobacco be dried. The

tobacco may now remain heaped in the store-room until there is a chance

for sale. It must be remembered, however, that the best time for selling

varies very much. Some tobacco is fit for smoking a few weeks after

drying, whereas others may burn very badly at that time, yet become a

good burning article after being stored for several months.

After assorting, Perry Hull advises that the tobacco “be corded up

awhile, in a dry place, that the butts may be thoroughly cured before

packing in the cases. The pile is made with the butts out, and tips

interlapping in the middle, at every other course, at the ends turning

the butts toward the end. Get upon the pile upon the knees, take hold of

the butt of a hank with one hand, drawing the leaves at the tip together

with the other, and placing it upon the pile in that position,

immediately putting the knee upon it. After the pile is finished, it

should be covered over with boards, to keep it from drying up, and a few

days before packing into the cases, should be well weighted down, which

will save a great deal of pressing at that time. Such a pile should be

made only about 2½–3 feet high, and then closely watched to prevent a

premature sweat, which often, if the weather be mild, will take place in

such a pile, which will not be sufficient to render the tobacco fit for

working, but which, if not intercepted at the commencement, will be

sufficient to prevent a proper sweat afterwards. Check, therefore, the

first symptoms of heat in such a pile, by opening the pile, and

repacking it, shaking out the hanks and giving them time to cool off.”

Bowie gives a caution that the tobacco “should not be too moist or

‘high,’ as it is termed, when put in stalk bulk, or it will get warm,

the leaves stick to the stalk, get a bad smell, and change colour;

besides, if left too long, it will rot. To bulk tobacco requires

judgment and neatness. Two logs should be laid parallel to each other,

about 30 inches apart, and the space between them filled with sticks for

the purpose of keeping the tobacco from the dampness of the ground. The

bundles are then taken one at a time, spread out and smoothed down,

which is most conveniently done by putting it against the breast and

stroking the leaves downward smooth and straight with the right hand. It

is then passed, two bundles at a time, to the man bulking. He takes them

and lays them down and presses them with his hands; they are laid, two

at a time, in a straight line—the broad part of the bundles slightly

projecting over the next two—and two rows of bundles are put in a bulk,

both rows carried on together, the heads being on the outside, and the

tails just lapping one over the other in regular succession. The bulk,

when carried up to a convenient height, should have a few sticks laid

across to keep it in place. It must often be examined, and if getting

warm it ought to be immediately changed and laid down in another bulk of

less height, and not pressed as it is laid down; this is called

‘wind-rowing’; being loose and open, it admits the air between the rows

of bundles, hence the term. The next process in this troublesome, but

beautiful crop, is to ‘condition’ it for ‘packing.’ The ‘bright,’

‘yellow,’ and ‘second’ tobacco will condition, but most generally in

such bulks as I have just described, but it is best to hang up the

‘dull’ as soon almost as stripped. If the bright or second do not dry

thoroughly in the bulks, that should also be hung up in the house to

become well dried. To properly hang up tobacco to condition, small-sized

sticks should be procured, and each one nicely smoothed with the

drawing-knife, and kept for that purpose. After it has once been

perfectly dry, either hanging up or in bulks—so dry that the heads are

easily knocked off, and the shoulders of the bundles crack upon pressure

like pipe-stems—it should be taken down, or if in bulks, removed, the

first soft, moist spell of weather, as soon as it is soft and yielding

enough, as it will become too dry to handle without crumbling or

breaking, and it must be put in 4 or 6 row bulks of any convenient

length and height, the higher the better, laid down close, so that as

little of the leaves or shoulders as possible be exposed on the outside

of the bulk. When completed put sticks and logs of wood, &c., on the top

so as to weigh it down. Here it will keep sweet and in nice order for

packing at any time, no matter what the weather be, if it was

conditioned properly, it will not change a particle while in the

condition-bulk.”

_Packing._—Tobacco in America is commonly packed in barrels, the layers

being at right angles to each other alternately, and the butt-ends being

always towards the outside. The usual size is about 4 feet 6 inches

deep, 3 feet 6 inches in diameter at one end, and 3 feet 4 inches at the

other, to enable the contents to be uncovered for examination without

disturbing the mass. The packing is effected under considerable

hydraulic pressure. Elsewhere all kinds of packages are employed, and

their weights are very various.

In Bishop’s opinion the best size for boxes is the following:—“3 feet 6

inches long, 2 feet 4 inches wide, 2 feet 6 inches in depth,

manufactured from planed pine boards, 1 inch in thickness, with

standards 2 inches square, inside at each corner to nail to. Having thus

your boxes prepared, and the tobacco in good condition, the first soft,

mild day that comes proceed to packing; the bundles or ‘hands’ of

tobacco must be taken from the bulk and laid in courses in the box,

laying the butts of the ‘hands’ to the outside of the box, allowing the

ends to lap over each other, and endeavouring to keep the centre of the

box a little higher than the edges—these courses to be packed as solid

as possible by the hand. If any of the bundles are ‘soft’ or have an ill

smell, they must be exposed to the fire or sun until sweet and dry

before being packed. When the box is nearly full, a false cover (just

large enough to slip inside the box) must be placed on the tobacco, and

pressed as heavily as possible with the lever or screw power; remove the

pressure and re-fill, pressure finally being applied to the real cover,

which may then be tacked down. A box of the size I have mentioned, when

filled, should contain about 400 lb. of tobacco, and thus packed, will

keep for years.”

Another planter considers that parcels of “less than 1500 lb. may be

carried to market almost in any way; but more than that should be

‘prized’ in hogsheads. Several farmers might combine their crops for

prizing. As to the size, form, and materials of the hogsheads. In

Virginia, the size of the hogsheads is prescribed by law. They must be

made of seasoned pine or poplar. They must be 4 feet 6 inches long; 3

feet 6 inches in diameter, at one end, and 3 feet 4 inches at the other.

This difference of diameter is to allow the tobacco to be inspected.

This may be something new to persons of the North, therefore I will

explain the mode of inspecting tobacco in the hogshead. An inspector is

appointed by law to inspect or examine the tobacco prized in hogsheads.

His first step is, to place the hogshead big end upward. He then removes

the lining, and takes out the head. He next inverts the position of the

hogshead, that is, puts the little end up, and raises it entirely from

the tobacco. The mass of prized tobacco stands before him without a

covering. The outside may be all right, but his sworn duty is to examine

it through and through, as well as round and round. For this purpose he

drives an iron bar to the middle, near the top of the mass, prises up

and takes out a handful of bundles. He repeats that operation on two

other points of the mass. He then inspects or examines the parcels

extracted, and rates the whole hogshead according to their quality. The

hogshead is replaced and made secure. The hogsheads and the samples

taken from them bear corresponding marks, and the former is sold by the

latter. The staves of the hogshead must not be wider than 5, nor

narrower than 3 inches, ⅝ inch thick, and dressed on the inside. The

heading must be seasoned pine or poplar, and 1 inch thick, with 8 hoops.

Such a hogshead will well answer in other States as well as in Virginia.

“Weigh out, say 300 lb. It takes two hands to do this work, one inside

the hogshead and the other out. One is called the ‘packer,’ the other

the ‘waiter.’ The packer so arranges the bundles, in placing them, as to

make 4 courses in one layer. Repeat the layers until the 300 lb. are

packed. The weight (lever-power) is then applied. After 6 hours, put in

200 lb. more and apply the weight; 6 hours, and so on, until 1300–1500

lb. have been put in. The softer the tobacco, the more of it can be put

in a hogshead. If the tobacco is of the first quality, 1500 lb. is

enough. But if lower qualities, 1800 lb. can be put in. The finer the

quality the less weight it can bear without injury; and _vice versâ_.

Having prized the crop, it is ready for market.”

According to Pursley, a hogshead “4 feet in length, and 3 feet in

diameter, is the medium size; 1000 lb. is considered a full hogshead;

but one of the above dimensions can hold 1500 lb. by hard pressing; but

this blackens the tobacco, and injures the sale of it. Packing in the

hogshead is done by first laying a course or layer of bundles straight

across the bottom, keeping the butts even and close together; then fill

up on each side of the centre course, placing the butts against the

staves; then the butts of the hands that lie against the hogshead should

be covered up with 2 or 3 others, pressed closely down. The next centre

course should be laid across the first, and done in the same manner as

before, and so on, crossing each course in succession, until the

hogshead is two-thirds full; when the press should be applied till the

tobacco is pressed down to within 1½ foot of the bottom of the hogshead.

The press should remain on an hour or more, in order that the tobacco

may settle together; then the press should be raised, and the packing

resumed as before, till the tobacco is within 1½ foot of the top; then

the press should again be applied till the tobacco is pressed half-way

down the hogshead; the same proportion should be observed until the

hogshead is full. Then put the head in, and it is ready for market.”

Perry Hull would have packing-cases “made of cheap pine lumber, 3 feet 8

inches long by 2 feet 6 inches wide and high, outside measurement; they

should be made tight and strong; there should be corner-pieces nailed in

1½ inch square, nailing to them well from both ways. The tobacco is

packed in, with the butts towards each end; taking hold of the butt with

one hand, the tip with the other, and giving the hank a slight twist,

lay it in the case in that position. A lever or screw can be used to do

the pressing, whichever is the most convenient. From 360 lb. to 380 is

the proper weight for packing; though if the tobacco is very dry, 400

lb. will probably not sweat too hard; and if quite wet (which it never

should be), 350 may.

“After being packed, the tobacco should never be kept in a damp cellar;

a good tight barn or other outbuilding, where the cases can stand on a

floor, is the best place. The crop usually passes from the hands of

growers, into those of speculators and dealers, before the sweating

season. The first symptoms of sweating appear about as soon as settled

warm weather comes, usually the fore part of May; it then commences to

grow warm, and ‘wet’ to appearance, which increases for about 3 weeks,

when it reaches its culminating point and commences to cool off. One

unaccustomed to the crop, upon examining it at this period, would be

sure to think it was rotting, but if not too damp when packed, there is

no danger. Sometimes, if a case is known to be too wet, the lids can be

started, to give a little vent to the steam and gases which are

generated, and this is about all that can be done for it; and it is far

safer to see that the proper condition is secured before packing, than

to do even this. The weight will commence to decrease about as soon as

the heat commences, and it has been ascertained by weighing at the

various stages, that more than half of the shrinkage is accomplished by

the time that the sweat has reached its culminating point. About 10 per

cent. is allowed for the shrinkage of a crop, in just the right state

when packed; if wetter, it will shrink as high as 12–13 per cent., and

if very dry, it may shrink less than 10 per cent. The different grades

usually bring about the following prices: Wrappers, 14 cents per lb.;

Seconds, 7–8 cents; Fillers, 3–4 cents. The proportion of the different

grades in a good crop should be, Wrappers, three-fifths, and Seconds and

Fillers, each one-fifth.”

Judson Popenoe thinks boxes “should be made 30 inches square by 42

inches in length outside; saw the end-boards 28 inches long, nail them

to two 1¼-inch square slats so that the head will be 28 inches square;

when two heads are made, nail the sides of the box to the heads so as to

come even with the outside of the head, the sides being 28 inches wide;

then nail the bottom on firmly; the top can be nailed slightly until

after the tobacco is packed, when it can be nailed firm. Set your box by

the side of the bulk, and let one hand get in the box and another pass

the tobacco to him, one hand at a time, taking care not to shake it out,

but put in the box as it comes from bulk, with the butt of the hand next

the end of the box. Place close and press with the knee firmly; lay

alternate courses at each end, and if the tobacco is not long enough to

lap sufficiently to fill the centre, put a few hands crosswise in the

centre. When the box is full, place it under a lever; have a follower,

which is a cover made of inch boards, nailed to two pieces of scantling

and made to fit inside of the box; lay this on the tobacco, and build

with blocks of scantling on it of a sufficient height for the lever to

be clear of the box when pressed. Press down firmly with a strong lever,

and, while kneeing in another box full, let the lever remain, so that

the tobacco gets set in the box. When ready, take the lever off and fill

up as before, about 6 inches higher than the box; press it below the top

of the box, take off your lever and nail on the top as quickly as

possible. Some use tobacco-presses for packing, which are perhaps more

convenient; they are of various patterns, but a lever saves the expense

of a press and is in the reach of all. If tobacco is sold at the shed,

it should be sold before packing, being easier examined in bulk than

box.”

Mitjen is of opinion that, “except in cases where the extraordinary size

of the leaves will not permit it, all the bales should be made up of 80

‘_manojos_’; but in the former case 60 of the first classes of the first

quality will be sufficient. The fixed number of 80 _manojos_ is

convenient for making calculations. We have already said that the day

following that on which the _manojos_ were tied up, they should be

packed in bales, so as not to allow them time to dry too much. Bearing

this in mind, the dyeing and tying up of the _manojos_ should not be

commenced until there is a sufficient quantity of assorted leaves to

make a bale or bales; should there be a surplus of _manojos_ after the

bales are made up, they should be kept protected from the air, until

another set of bales is about to be made up.

“We do not think it is necessary to further explain the manner of

placing the _yaguas_, in order to make the bales, but it is expedient to

state that 8 layers of _manojos_ should not be put in one bale, because

it makes a bad shape, and the tierces or bales appear much smaller than

they really are. The bales should be made of 2 layers, having the heads

of the _manojos_ placed towards the outside. When the first layer of one

of the heads of the bale is placed, the heads of the other layer should

be so arranged that they will be about half-way over the points of the

others; and if the tobacco is very small, to each row of _manojos_ may

be laid crossways, two _manojos_ with their heads touching the _yaguas_,

so that the tobacco placed in the bale may form a compact even mass,

impervious to the air. The same should be done in the other rows, care

being taken that the bale is made somewhat thicker in the middle, and

never have a hollow there,—a sure sign of loose packing,—and into which

the air finds its way, preventing fermentation, proper curing, as well

as aroma—the tobacco becoming dry too soon. After the bales are tied up,

they should be placed in the sun or wind until the humidity of the

_yagua_ is dry. They should then be placed on boards in the storehouse,

putting them two and two, one on the other; and after eight days they

should be moved, placing them below those which had been above, so that

they may ferment and be equally pressed.”

[Illustration: FIG. 13.]

For pressing tobacco into the hogshead, Hudson suggests that “a hole be

mortised in a tree, in which the end of the lever can be inserted,

passing over the hogshead, and working by a tree or post, in which

should be pins at intervals of 8–10 inches, by which a small lever may

be used to force the first lever down on the tobacco; 50–100 lb. may be

placed in the hogshead and firmly pressed a few hours, and as much added

again, and so on. Fig. 13 will serve to represent the manner in which

the hands (or ties) may be placed in the hogshead—filling the middle

first, then the outer edges—placing the tops toward the centre, and

observing to keep the centre and edges full.”

_Improving._—It is sometimes the custom to subject the tobacco-leaves to

some sort of improvement. There is no doubt that, by proper application

of ingredients, the value of tobacco may be much enhanced. The most

costly tobacco often commands a high price, not so much on account of

its inherent flavour, as from that given to it artificially. In most

instances, the best course to be adopted is to leave the improvement of

the leaves to the manufacturer. Many ingredients are employed to improve

smoking-tobacco. They tend:—1, to make the tobacco more elastic and

flexible; 2, to remove the coarse flavour; 3, to add a particular

flavour; 4, to improve the burning quality; 5, to improve the colour. To

make the tobacco more flexible and pliant, the leaves are macerated in,

or sprinkled with, a solution of sugar. In hot countries, this process

is often necessary, to give tobacco such an elasticity as to fit it for

handling, especially when intended for wrappers. To remove the coarse

flavour, it is often macerated in water, or in very dilute hydrochloric

acid. In Holland, 4–8 oz. of hydrochloric acid, diluted with 25–30

measures of water, is applied to 100 lb. of tobacco. The coarser the

flavour of the tobacco, the stronger is the solution used. The time of

maceration varies between ½ and 1 hour. Sometimes tobacco is steeped in

a mixture of sugar solution and diluted hydrochloric acid. To extract

the fatty matter, it is macerated in alcohol or spirit of wine. To give

a fine flavour, numerous substances are employed, some of which are kept

secret. The following ingredients are mostly in use:—Water, cognac,

vanilla, sugar, rose-wood, cassia, clove, benzoin, citron oil, rose-wood

oil, amber, thyme, lavender, raisins, sassafras-wood, saltpetre, orange,

and many others. The burning quality is improved by macerating in or

sprinkling with solutions of carbonate of potash, acetate of potash,

acetate of lime, or saltpetre, &c. Badly-burning cigars inserted for a

moment in such solutions are much improved. Tobacco treated with acetate

of lime yields a very white ash. The colour is sometimes improved by

fumigating the leaves with sulphur, and by the application of ochre and

saffron.

Although it may be said that fine tobaccos generally do not require any

impregnation with foreign matter for the sake of flavour, yet the

manufacturer frequently endeavours to give the leaf a particular aroma.

An inferior tobacco, however, which often would not find a market, is

sometimes so much improved by artificial means, as to compete

successfully with the genuine fine article. It is said that in Germany

indigenous tobacco is often so much “improved” that the cigars made from

it, after being covered with a fine tobacco leaf, are sold as genuine

Havanas. A special preparation of tobacco for snuff is seldom attempted

by the cultivator. With reference to the preparation of tobacco for

export, the sorting of the leaf is of the utmost importance; only first

and second sorts should be exported. It would be well to remove the

midribs, whereby the cost of transport and customs duty would be greatly

reduced.

The value of a cigar depends, not only on the intrinsic value of the

leaf, but to a great extent on the mode of manufacture. Thus, the raw

material may be of good quality, but if the maker does not classify the

leaves properly, or if he rolls his cigars too hard, which must vary

according to the qualities of the leaves, the cigar will burn badly. The

best-burning leaves must always be used for wrappers. If this should be

neglected, the inside of the cigar burns faster than the covering, the

air has no access to the burning parts, and the empyreumatical

substances are volatilized without being decomposed. Such cigars

therefore make much smoke, and smell badly.