Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2417, 7 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

TOBACCO CULTURE: HARVESTING TUK CROP. 4 This is an important period, and generally ] commences about the beginning of March; j and though requiring some experience to . know when tobacco is ripe, the following instructions should be snllient to enable anyone whe cannot procure the advice of a ' competent judge to determined for himself: J —When the top leaves have attained the 1 size of the lower ones, tho colour changes ] from a dark green to a, spotted appearance ■ of a reddish colour; the under-side of the when pinched between the thumb and finger • will crack; the suckers commence to put out , below tho bottom leaves; and tho plant presents an entirely different appearance from what it previously did. There is decidedly less danger of tobacco getting too ripe than there is of it being seriously injured by being harvested before perfectly mature. The'p'ant should never be cut while the dew is on the leaves; but wait till it is off. say ten o'clock, and what tobaccco is cut from that time until two o'clock, if the day is hot will need close attention. In short, the whole operation, from cutting in the field to the hanging upon the poles in the barn, needs care, as a little carelessness or inattention will damage pounds' worth. No hand should be allowed to handle it who is unwilling to use care and perform every operation just as directed, or else by breaking off leaves, or sticking fingers through them, etc, he may do more damage than his wages amount to. In other countries the plants, when cut, arc allowed to dry partially in tho fields, but hero, owing to the heavy dews, it would perhaps not be generally advisable to adopt this course without more experience. Before cutting any, see that the drying sheds are fully prepared with poles and scaffolds, the twine examined for rotten places, etc. The simplest mode of conveyance from the-neld to the shed is the best. A sledge will be found most convenient. To load, place the plants crosswise, with tho butts out, and tips lapping in the middle, being careful in loading to lay a tier across one side, then the other regularly, that it may be taken off without any pulling or tearing of the leaves. In this way between four hundred and five hundred plants may bo carried at a load.

A Yooxa lady being vexed with her lover treated him so coolly that he requested permission to wear his ulster in the parlour. He said she soon made it warm enough for him after that,