s
commenced, lest the leaf should be scalded and reddened; on
the other hand, it should not be raised too slowly for fear
of 'raising the grain,' or the leaf becoming spongy and
dingy. Both extremes are to be avoided, and the skill
required is attained only by experience and observation. We
usually cut tobacco the latter part of the week, house it
and suffer it to remain until the first of next week, that
we may not violate the fourth commandment."

In California tobacco is cured by the method known as the "Culp
process" from the name of its patentee. When the plant lies in the
field, Mr. Culp's peculiar process begins which is described as
follows:

"Tobacco had long been grown in California, even before
Americans came. He had raised it as a crop for fifteen
years; and before he perfected his new process, he was able
usually to select the best of his crop for smoking tobacco,
and sold the remainder for sheep wash. One year, two
millions of pounds were raised in the State, and as it was
mostly sold for sheep wash, it lasted several years, and
discouraged the growers. Tobacco always grew readily, but it
was too rank and strong. They used Eastern methods, topping
and suckering, and as the plant had here a very long season
to grow and mature, the leaf was thick and very strong. The
main features of the Culp process are, he said, to let the
tobacco, when cut, wilt on the field; then take it at once
to the tobacco house and pile it down, letting it heat on
the piles to 100 deg. for Havana. It must, he thinks, come to
100 deg., but if it rises to 102 deg. it is ruined. Piling,
therefore, requires great judgment. The tobacco houses are
kept at a temperature of about 70 deg.; and late in the fall, to
cure a late second or third crop they sometimes use a stove
to maintain a proper heat in the house, for the tobacco must
not lie in the pile without heating. When it has had its
first sweat, it is hung up on racks; and here Mr. Culp's
process is peculiar.

"He places the stalk between two battens, so that it sticks
out horizontally from the frame; thus each leaf hangs
independently from the stalk; and the racks or frames are so
arranged that all the leaves on all the stalks have a
separate access to the air. The tobacco houses are frame
buildi