Preparing the Tobacco

Hogsheads collect tobacco dust for reuse

image of a large storage barrel called hogshead

Paul Williams stands on the second floor of O’BrienClick for a map of L&M's Durham complex with a large barrel called a hogsheadClick for a glossary definition. When fully packed with tobacco, the hogshead could weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. The hogshead was on a jack so Williams could move it from one location to another. It would be filled with tobacco dust, particles too small to use in cigarettes, which would be sent out to make reconstituted tobaccoClick for a glossary definition.