DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 61

may damage very readily under extended rainy weather. Gen-
erally lugs and primings are handled less frequently because
they get in too high order easily. Other important factors in
the bulking of tobacco, is how it is bulked, stems should
always point to the outside of the stack. The length of time
that the tobacco should remain in bulk is very important
from an over-all improvement in quality. Greenish tinge tobacco
definitely improves to a desirable lemon color when per-
mitted to remain in the bulk. Many off colors in tobacco are
often improved after it is bulked. It is also advisable after
it is bulked that the stacks be covered with tarps, sheets or
some similar material to keep out light and moisture.

 PREPARATION FOR MARKET
 This is one of the final steps in handling a crop of tobacco.
it suffices to say that good preparation is a very important
phase of the tobacco program. Preparation is something that
requires some pride on the part of the producers in presenting
his products for sale. The amount of time required to properly
prepare a crop of tobacco would depend upon the quantity and
quality of the crop. Sloppily prepared lots of tobacco only
serve to show the degree of pride a grower has in his crop.
 Careful harvesting, stringing, handling, and curing con-
tribute immensely to a reduction in the amount of time and
labor required for good market preparation.
 A good practice is to keep all of the groups of tobacco
such as priming, lugs, cutters, and leaf separated by curing.
This is most important because of the desire of processor's
to be interested in certain types or group classifications more
than in others. A co-mingling of the group classifications is
very undesirable and reduces their market acceptance.

 Under most conditions only two to three farm grades need
to be considered in the sorting with group classifications.
Things such as string, sand, and feathers, and broken stems
should be removed from all tobacco.

 Green and non-descript tobacco should be removed from
groups and marketed separately.

 Type 14 tobacco is sold loose leaf. The tobacco is stripped
from the stick, graded if needed, and then it is placed on bur-