Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-01-03
HOW TO GROW ANDSELL TOBACCO

We take the following interesting
extract, on the question of the cultiva-
ton and sale of Tobacco, from the
New York Tobacco Leaf:
There are such a variety of circum-
stances, local and individual, affecting
the sale of tobacco that only general
views may be expressed. If a planter
wants to realize the full value of his
tobacco, then we say to him never draw
upon it, but retain control of it and
take the choice of markets and agents.
As general thing the sooner this crop
can be put in market in safe order the
better. The planter is not bound to
sell, but can better hold for rise, with
his crop ready for sale at days notice.
Thousands of dollars are annually lost
to the planters of Virginia and North
Carolina by failing to order and prize
tobacco early before it is injured in the
barns; for no crop is so difficult to
keep sound and good as tobacco, and
none deteriOrates faster for want OF
proper attention. Early sales are gen.
orally best.
Sales of tobacco are conducted very
differently in some of our markets from
the custom that prevailed a few years
ago. In some markets planters are not
allowed to- sell their own tobacco, but
are taxed one half of one per cent. to
pay the revenue tax of the middle men,
but from which the producer is exempt
Grant that Tobacco Exchange is a
necessity in some markets, and then
for the privilege of selling therein tax
each hogshead and package sold and
let the planter sell it himself, if he
chooses. The half per cent paid to
commission merchants will pay for the
privilege and leave surplus behind
But the middle man in becoming the
planters agent excludes him from
change and makes him pay tax fol
the privilege of selling on change,
that the planter is not required by law
to pay. The middle men have got this
matter as it now stands in their own
hands, and planters need look for nc
reform or even hope for it from their
agents, the commission merchants. We
must, ourselves, work out this reform.
After matured deliberatiOn we COM
mend that a Planters Tobacco Ex-
change be established in each of our
large tobacco markets, where the regu-
lations of the trade forbid the planter
selling his own tobacco in person, un-
less at the discretion of The board he
is admitted q member of their organi-
cation. If the council gives this
measure the imprimature of its sane
ton, there will not be wanting good
men to take this enterprise0 hand and
conduct it successfully and to the sat
isfactiOn of the tobacco planters. We
recommend that resolutions of inquiry
be passed by the Legislature inquiring
whether the amended law passed at the
last session requiring that the prOprle-
tors of every such warehouse where to-
bacco is inspected by law, shall KEEP
free of charge to the planter, an open
policy of insurance upon their respec-
| tive warehouses, sufficient to cover ev-
cry loss by fire which any planter hav-
ing tobacco stored therein may sus-
tain, has been fully complied with
whether charges by commission mer-
chants of insurance against the plan
ter is not an infractiOn of the law, and
what further legislation is necessary
to protect the planter from all unjust
and illegal charges. The establish
ment of Planters Exchanges where
the rights and interest of the planter
are consulted and respected, and the
| direction placed on each package OF
tobacco by the planter himself, to be
sent to the warehouse of his own
choice, will do much to remedy the
evils of which We complain"