Let the Harvesting Begin!!!

Now that the Tobacco has been growing for 60 days it's time to harvest it.  

First the men hand chop then place the broadleaf into rows.

The Tobacco has to wilt for an hour before you can begin to pick it up.

When picking up the tobacco there are two ways to secure the plant to the lath. 

One way is to spear.  The second way is to hook.

 At this farm they spear the tobacco then load the wagons (riggens).  The riggen is now full.

 The driver carefully transports  the broadleaf to the shed.

Driving between 9 and 15 miles an hour to make sure the leaves are not damaged from the wind speed.

The tobacco is now hung in the curing sheds.  

The curing process now begins.  The shed is open on all sides only to be closed during heavy rain or wind for the next few weeks.

Broadleaf is cured by natural air and open ventilation.  When it rains for 2-3 days and the leaves start to feel clammy they must be dried or the tobacco will rot. We dry the tobacco with charcoal or propane burners.  The tobacco will be completely cured in 60 days.

Broadleaf Harvest Preparation

Tractors are getting tuned up for harvest.

 Riggens  {tobacco wagons} are being checked for strong wood good welds and good tires.

50 gallon water barrels on wheels are cleaned and filled with water so the workers can have fresh water as needed.

Tobacco sheds are open to air out. 

 Tobacco lath {sticks broadleaf hangs on} are checked.  Broadleaf hatchets are being sharpened. Air tanks, spare tires, cases of oil, and antifreeze are piled high. Fuel tanks are full. Propane tanks are at the tobacco sheds. Burners, pipes and charcoal are ready for curing the leaves. Of course the 1950's old red tractors run for 12 hours a day. Top speed  is between 9 to 15 mph. Speeds over 15 mph the leafs slap back and forth and break from the wind . 

Topping Broadleaf

After the plants have flowered, Workers walk at a snails pace snapping off the top of the plant. Leaves smaller than 18 inches gets snapped off as well. When the flower is gone the broadleaf plant will now starts the ripening process. This takes 14 to 21 days the leaves become thicker feeling like leather. Then the leaves become a ripe gold tint.

Almost time to snap off the flowers, add some sucker control  wait 14 plus days then Harvest Time begins!!!

Ct Broadleaft Crop Report

2013 is the best crop in years. The early rain during planting, record  90 degree temperatures with hot humid nights . All these weather conditions have everything to do with a great cigar wrapper.  If it rains everyday the leaves are thin and fall apart. Without enough  rain the tobacco leaves do not have the correct color, bad aroma, and will not burn properly on cigars. With no real damage to the valley broadleaf during our weekly thunder storms.With all the cultivating and fertilizer completed our next photos will be the broadleaf flowering.  Early 2013 looks to be a banner cigar wrapper year!!!

history

 1944 a young man left home with friends went north to Simsbury Ct . In Simsbury the young man worked tough days in tobacco fields . Very hot nights with no A/C . After the summer harvest the youngster went back home. Then Summer of 1947 the now 17 year old returned to the tobacco farm in Simsbury .Worked hard made some money made great friends . This training , work ethic and most of all great life experience to "Finish what you started "!!! Helped shape the young man into a great Leader.   Yes " Martin Luther King !!!

tobacco museum

Had a great visit at The Tobacco Museum, located at Northwest Park in Windsor Ct . http://www.tobaccohistsoc.org/

It's great to see the  history, farm equipment, Cigar boxes , Actual Tobacco hanging .

On a 500 acre Tobacco farm converted into an incredible park . 

Broadleaf growing 30 days in the field

This field is growing great after fertilizer rain and heat 92 degree's. During these hot days of summer the leaves are growing thicker and thicker by the day.Thick leafs are for the used for wrapper . Thin leafs are trashed .