The Benefits of Tobacco
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (3)
Photograph from 1933. Thomas Rowan, tobacco grower, and his wife pose with their horse and cart at the tobacco curing shed on their farm at Stackallen, Co. Meath. The shed is of wooden construction and on the inside can be seen the wooden poles and rafters where tobacco plants were hung for some weeks to dry and cure.
By permission of Meath County Library.Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (3)
By permission of Meath County Library.
By permission of Meath County Library.
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (3)
Photograph from 1933. Thomas Rowan, tobacco grower, and his wife pose with their horse and cart at the tobacco curing shed on their farm at Stackallen, Co. Meath. The shed is of wooden construction and on the inside can be seen the wooden poles and rafters where tobacco plants were hung for some weeks to dry and cure.
By permission of Meath County Library.Tobacco harvesting was a good way for landlords to keep hold of workers while waiting for the harvesting of other crops. It was hoped that by filling the seasonal gap, farm workers would be less likely to join the army or travel to England or America to find work.
Another benefit was that tobacco growing improved the soil as a result of the heavy manuring required. This meant other crops grown on the same land produced higher yields.
Interior of a curing barn
A wooden shed is used to dry or cure the tobacco plant. wooden poles are stretched across the shed with lighter tobacco sticks on them. The stalks are hung over these with the leaves hanging down to dry. Heat from coke fires is evenly distributed for 4-5 days until the leaves are dry and brittle. Sufficient moisture is re-introduced to allow the plants become pliable. They are then taken down, stripped and sorted. The leaves are heaped on the floor and the heat allowed to rise to 130 Fahrenheit to allow fermentation to occur. In 3-5 weeks the process is complete when the leaves have a uniformly brown tint.
By permission of Meath County LibraryInterior of a curing barn
By permission of Meath County Library
By permission of Meath County Library
Interior of a curing barn
A wooden shed is used to dry or cure the tobacco plant. wooden poles are stretched across the shed with lighter tobacco sticks on them. The stalks are hung over these with the leaves hanging down to dry. Heat from coke fires is evenly distributed for 4-5 days until the leaves are dry and brittle. Sufficient moisture is re-introduced to allow the plants become pliable. They are then taken down, stripped and sorted. The leaves are heaped on the floor and the heat allowed to rise to 130 Fahrenheit to allow fermentation to occur. In 3-5 weeks the process is complete when the leaves have a uniformly brown tint.
By permission of Meath County LibraryTobacco's success, even in bad conditions, was a further temptation for farmers. A tobacco grower's farm was generally in better condition than that of a farmer who did not grow tobacco.
With all these benefits, you may be surprised that the tobacco industry did not become established in Meath. However, there were three reasons that it did not, and they had nothing to do with health concerns.
With all these benefits, you may be surprised that the tobacco industry did not become established in Meath. However, there were three reasons that it did not, and they had nothing to do with health concerns.