the tobacco plant is all essential in order to promote the growth,
and to equalise the ripening of the leaves, I would observe that
this operation should at all events commence the instant that the
bud of the plant shows a disposition to go to seed, and be
immediately followed by removing the suckers, which it will now put
out at every leaf. Indeed, the suckers should be removed from the
plant as often as they appear. The tobacco plant ought never to be
cut before it comes to full maturity, which is known by the leaves
becoming mottled, coarse, and of a thick texture, and gummy to the
touch, at which time the end of the leaf, by being doubled, will
break short, which it will not do to the same extent when green. It
ought not to be out in wet weather, when the leaves lose their
natural gummy substance, so necessary to be preserved. About this
period, the cultivator is apt to be rendered anxious by the fear of
allowing the plants to remain in the field longer than necessary;
until experience removes those apprehensions, he should be on his
guard, however, not to destroy the quality of his tobacco, by
cutting it too soon. When the cutting is to commence, there should
be procured a quantity of forked stakes, set upright, with a pole or
rider setting on each fork ready to support the tobacco, and to keep
it from the ground. The plant is then cut obliquely, even with the
surface of the ground, and the person thus employed should strike
the lower end of the stalk, two or three times with the blunt side
of his knife, so as to cause as much of the sand or soil to fall
from it as possible, then tying two stalks together, they are gently
placed across the riders or poles prepared to receive them. In this
state they are allowed to remain in the sun or open air until the
leaves have somewhat withered, whereby they will not be liable to
the injury which they would otherwise receive, if they came suddenly
in contact with other bodies when fresh cut. Then place as many
plants on each pole or rider as may be conveniently carried, and
take them in the drying house, where the tobacco is strung off upon
the frames prepared for it, leaving a small space between the two
plants, that air may circulate freely among them, and promote their
drying. As the drying advances, the stalks are brought closer to
each