There the crop must stay for some months, with the windows open in dry weather and closed in wet.

Finally came the striking, sorting and prizing in weather moist enough to make the leaves pliable.

Part of the gang would lower the stalks to the floor, where the rest working in trios would strip them, the first stripper taking the culls, the second the bright leaves, the third the remaining ones of dull color.

Each would bind his takings into "hands" of about a quarter of a pound each and throw them into assorted piles.

In the packing or "prizing" a barefoot man inside the hogshead would lay the bundles in courses, tramping them cautiously but heavily.