e plants may be cut either in the morning (after
the dew is off) or just at night, providing there are no indications
of frost. Lay the plants carefully on the sides to avoid breaking the
leaves. If the plants are cut during a very warm day they should be
examined from time to time as they are liable to "sun-burn," an injury
much dreaded by the planter, as sun-burnt leaves are useless for cigar
wrappers.

[Illustration: Putting on lath.]

After the plants are wilted on one side they are turned so that the
entire plant will be in good condition to handle without breaking.
Harvesting should be performed in the most careful manner. At this
time the leaves are very brittle and unless the cutter is an
experienced hand much injury may be done to the leaves. The stem of
each plant is severed as near as possible to the ground and afterwards
if hung on lath they are divided longitudinally to admit the air and
dry them sooner. When the plants are to be hung on lath they may be
wilted before "stringing" or not, at the option of the grower. Most
growers are of the opinion now that the plants should be harvested
without wilting at all, stringing on the lath as soon as cut and
carrying them immediately to the shed.

When wilted in the field there is often much damage done to the leaves
whether they are sun-burnt or not. Oftentimes the ground is hot and
the plants in a few hours both on the under and upper sides become
very warm and almost burnt by the rays of the sun. For this reason the
manner of hanging on lath is the better way and in New England is fast
displacing the old method of hanging with twine. When hung in this
manner five or six plants to the lath are the usual number unless they
are very large. When placed or strung on the lath the plants are not
as liable to sweat or pole rot, owing in part to the splitting of the
stalk, which causes the rapid curing of the leaves as well as the
stalk itself. A new method of hanging tobacco has been introduced of
late in the Connecticut valley by means of tobacco hooks attached to
the lath. This mode is considered by many growers the safest way, and
by others as no better than the more common way of hanging simply on
the lath.

[Illustration: Carrying to the shed.]

In Virginia in "ye olden time," the following method of harvesting was
adopted:--

"When the plant has remained long enough exposed to the sun,
or open air, after cutting, to become sufficiently pliant to