Tobacco Barns

[puffy]

I was born in 1942 in North Carolina.As I remember those days around these parts tobacco was king.Almost all farmers grew at least some.It was their main way of having a crop to sell for cash money.In a lot of cases it was about the only actual money they made all year.It seemed that the barns that it was cured in were all over the place.That word cured is one that was used by the old timers.The tobacco was hung on racks then the barn was heated and the tobacco was dried.If the wind was rite you could smell tobacco a good ways off.Someone (usually a man) had to stay at the barn twenty four seven to keep the fire going,and make sure it didn't get out of control.More than one barn full of tobacco has burned to the ground.My father once told me that some times there were also girls who came to visit the barns during the nite.According to him a good many babies were made in those days at tobacco barns.I live in the city these days.I hardly ever see a tobacco barn.Though there are still a few around out in the country.They are fading into history.I'm sad to see them go,because a way of life,and a type of people that I grew up around and respected are going with them.

 

[pstlpkr]

I remember seeing them when I was a kid in N.C.

I still remember how good they smelled when they were operation.
But today the only Tobacco Barn I see is this one:

 

[admin]

Here's a little visual of what you described Puffy.

That is "Fire Cured" Tobacco. Usually fire cured tobacco is Kentucky, and Green River (also Kentucky) and has a HIGH nicotine content and low sugar content.
However, I think most of the tobacco grown in North Carolina is "Flue Cured" Virginia style tobacco. This also involves heating up the barn while the leaves are hung upside down. The heat is gradually raised using "Flues" which are like big tubes, which creates an oven-like effect, but the heat is kept under 200 degrees.
Flue-cured tobaccos have a high natural sugar content and low nicotine ... I feel a new thread coming on.

 

[admin]

Continued here ...

 

[teamhavoc28]

Puffy Sorry for your loss. I live in Tennessee near the border of Kentucky and always get a good glimpse of tobacco barns. Would post pics of the tobacco barn on the farm but in 99 a tornado removed it. They are definitely a part of our cultural history.

 

[pstlpkr]

However, I think most of the tobacco grown in North Carolina is "Flue Cured" Virginia style tobacco. This also involves heating up the barn while the leaves are hung upside down. The heat is gradually raised using "Flues" which are like big tubes, which creates an oven-like effect, but the heat is kept under 200 degrees.

Exactly right Kevin.

 

[unclearthur]

Up this way most of the tobacco production went into chew and was air cured. You still see a few rather sad looking tumble down tobacco barns around with the side boards hinged to adjust air flow.