By breakfast-time the two acres were
cleared. They were left all day to dry in the sun, and a little
before sunset they were taken up, and carried up to one of the
store-sheds, which had been cleared and prepared for the purpose.
Here they were placed in a heap on the ground, covered over with
raw hides and mats, and left for three days to heat. After this
they were uncovered, and hung up on laths from the roof, close to
each other, and yet sufficiently far apart to allow the air to
circulate between them. Here they remained until they were quite
dry, and were then taken down, a damp covering being chosen for the
operation, as otherwise the dry leaves would have crumbled to dust.
They were again laid in a heap, and covered up to allow them to
heat once more, This second heating required some days to
accomplish, and this operation required great attention, as the
tobacco would have been worthless if the plants had heated too
much.
In ten days the operation was complete. The leaves were then
stripped off, the upper leaves were placed by themselves, as also
the middle and the lower leaves; the higher ones being of the
finest quality. They were then tied in bundles of twelve leaves
each, and were packed in layers in barrels, a great pressure being
applied with a weighted lever, to press them down into an almost
solid mass.
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