oreign market. It is practised in
cases where the malady termed the fire, or other casual
misfortune during the growth of the plant, may have rendered
it doubtful in the opinion of the planter whether something
or other which he may have observed during the growth of his
crop, or in the unfavorable temperature of the seasons by
which it hath been matured does not hazard too much in
packing the web with a stem which threatens to decay. To
avoid the same species of risk, stemming is also practised
in cases where the season when it becomes necessary to
finish packing for a market is too unfavorable to put up the
plant in leaf in the usual method; or when the crop may be
partially out of case. Besides the operation of stemming in
the hands of the crop-master, there are instances where this
partial process is repeated in the public warehouses; of
which I shall treat under a subsequent head.

[Illustration: Stemming.]

"The operation of stemming is performed by taking the leaf
in one hand, and the end of the stem in the other, in such a
way as to cleave it with the grain; and there is an
expertness to be acquired by practice, which renders it as
easy as to separate the bark of a willow, although those
unaccustomed to it find it difficult to stem a single plant.
When the web is thus separated from the stem, it is made up
into bundles in the same way as in the leaf, and is laid in
bulk for farther process. The stems have been generally
thrown away, or burnt with refuse tobacco for the purpose of
soap-ashes; but the introduction of snuff-mills has, within
a few years back, found a more economical use for them."

As soon as the tobacco has been stripped it is ready for

PACKING.

[Illustration: Packing.]

It is necessary to pack the "hands" after stripping in order to keep
it moist, or in nearly the same condition as when stripped. Select a
cool place, not too dry or too damp, but one where if properly
protected, the tobacco will remain moist. It should be packed loosely
or compact, according as the hands are moist or dry. It may be packed
in the center of the floor so that it may be examined from either
side, or against the sides of the packing house, as may be thought
best. Hand the tobacco to the packer, who presses the hands firmly
with his knees and hands, laying the tobacco in two