54 FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IN FLORIDA

 (2) Lighting: A damage that is observed quite frequently-
 the damaged areas are generally small-and the plant stems
 exhibit a flaccid condition, and the pith will be separated
 into sections or disc.
 (3) Leaf scald: Already discussed on page 29.
 (4) Drought spot: These spots are generally produced dur-
 ing prolonged dry weather. The spots are reddish brown and
 occur between leaf veins, or even the leaf may rim fire com-
 pletely, this condition is quite noticeable on the lower leaves.
 Frenching: There are increasing reports of this disease;
however, only a few plants are generally affected. Leaves are
narrow and strap like and it is thought that environmental
conditions influence the development.
 Hail: Very damaging in tobacco when it occurs in abundance.
If heavy hail damage occurs early in the season; the crop
may be salvaged by cutting off the plants about three leaves
above the ground, leave one sucker and continue the regular
cultural practices. In some instances additional fertilizer may
be needed for best growth. If stalks are cut back be sure to
leave the two or three bottom leaves attached to the stalk.

 HARVESTING FLUE-CURED TOBACCO
 Flue-cured tobacco is harvested by priming or picking the
leaves from the stalk. This method extends the harvest season
much longer than the stalk cutting method used in many other
types of tobacco.
 Harvesting of flue-cured tobacco by priming should be done
as soon as the bottom leaves begin to develop a yellow color,
which generally occurs in seven to ten days after flowerbuds
begin to show. Tobacco that is primed before flowerbuds develop
is immature and lacks the necessary quality characteristics
of good tobacco. Two to four leaves are usually primed at
weekly intervals, more frequent priming may be needed under
some conditions. Individuals who remove the leaves from the
stalks are called croppers.
 In recent years the field harvesting of tobacco has become
more mechanized.* (See figure 30) The old method of priming
* Use of Tobacco Harvesters in Columbia and Suwannee Counties, Florida
1954. Agr. Econ. Series No. 55-6. March, 1955.