egree of heat, say
95 deg. to 100 deg. Fahr., 'the yellowing' or 'steaming' process.
This is the first and simplest part of the whole process,
and requires from fifteen to thirty-six hours, according to
the size and quality of the tobacco, and this degree of
heat should be continued until the leaf opens a lemon color,
and is nearly free from any green hue. When this point is
reached, the heat should be gradually raised to 105 deg. in
order to commence drying the leaf, and here lies the whole
difficulty in curing (I mean in drying the leaf). The last
degree of heat indicated, should be continued five or six
hours, when it should again be gradually raised to 110 deg.,
when it should be maintained at this point, until the tail
or points of the leaves begin to curl and dry. Indeed it
will probably be safest for beginners to continue this
degree of heat until one-third of the leaf is dried.

"The temperature may then be gradually increased to 115 deg.,
and kept for several hours at that point, until the leaf
begins to rattle when shaken, then again raise the heat to
120 deg., at which point it should be continued until the leaf
is dried, after which the temperature may be increased to
150 deg. or 160 deg. to dry the stem and stalks; the latter should
be blackened by the heat before the curing is complete.
Ordinarily it requires from two and a half to five days to
cure a barn of tobacco, dependent entirely upon the size and
quality. Put seven or eight plants on each stick and place
them eight inches apart on tier poles. In the yellowing
process the door of the barn should be kept closed to
exclude the air. When this point is reached for drying the
leaf, the door may be opened occasionally, and kept open for
twenty or thirty minutes at a time, especially if the
tobacco gets into a "sweat," as it is called, or becomes
damp and clammy.

"The temperature is raised in the barn by cautiously adding
coal from time to time to the fires, which should be placed
in small piles on the floor, in rows, allowing about five
feet between each pile, which should at first contain a
double handful of coal. In adding coal, you will soon learn
the quantity necessary to be applied by the effect produced.
Avoid raising the heat hastily after the drying i