Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-09
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ACREAGE AND YIELD.

Makipg......... ,26i ,S29
ACREAGE AND YIELD.
The entire crop Of the State Of North
Carolina in 1880 was 7,20S acres,
yielding &c, gS6,2l3 pounds. The av-
erage yield per acre was All pounds.
Owing to the severe drought Of 1885
the color OF the crop YVES greatly
lessened, and extreme low prices pre-
vailing in the spring OF this year (lSS6),
there was but little inducement to
plant-the crop not paying cost Of pro-
duction. 1t is q liberal estimate to
base the planting at IS per cent. The
continued rains Of June, July, and Au-
gust have greatly damaged the crop.
From one third to one half Of the crop
was stuck on new ground and second
YEARS. land. This tobacco, owing to
the excessive rains, grew up spindling
and narrow leaf. The probabilities are
that the tobacco that was planted on
new ground and second-year's land that
did not take second growth will cure
bright. Where tobacco takes second
grewth it is said to be impossible to
cure bright. That portion on old and
lot land, say from one half to two
thirds Of the crop Of 1886, was badly
stunted by the continued rains in the
months named, and it is very late.
Frost occurring at anything like average
date, say early in October, must catch
much of it in the field. The crop in
this State, as well as in Virginia, sul-
fered much from cutworms, causing
replsntiDg, and thereby irregularity in
size Of plant in the field. The quantity
Of fertilizers used in Virginia and
North Carolina on the tobacco crop IS
not estimated at over two thirds
Of last year. The continued rains
Of June, July, and August must in a
great measure have washed the fertili-
ger out Of the hill, and have left the land
thoroughly l0ached and poor. Owing
to droughts Of the past few years the
tobacco grown on branch flats has bscn
the best in the bright crop, and planters
have been gradually increasing their
planting on the fats.
The disastrous rains Of this year have
caused great loss by these bottoms be-
ing overlooked. Independent Of these
facts, there was general effort in all
the markets to discourage large plant
ing, and advocate more thorough cult
vation, and thereby improvement in
quality.
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CROP.
The condition of the growing crop in
North Carolina at this time ESTIMATED
at IS per cent. Of the average crop
would indicate two-thrds yield based
on IS per cent. average planting.
The curings to date are mostly leaves
pulled off stalk are very bright, and
the quality is exceedingly thin, small
sized leaf, adapted to cutting and cigar
cite purposes, and not at all suited for
wrappers or filters. The counties OF
Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin,
Forsythe, Dayie, Iredell, and Davidson
raise more of a rich mahogany ilue-
cured tobacco; the rest OF this State
make a very bright light-cOlored tobac-
co, commonly called by the planters
white tobacco lemon yellow.
The tobacco raised west of the Blue
Ridge mountains ofNorth Carolina is gen.
orally large-sized and of very much the
same character as Southwest Virginia
and West Virginia.
The tobacco that has improved
since the rains ceased is that on
red land, naturally strong and rich
enough to make crop without the
aid of manures. On gray and sandy
thin lands there has been but little if
any improvement in the crop since the
cessation Of the rains. Wet weather
has caused the plant to be topped very
low, resulting in very small crop Of
primipgs in the 1856 crop. What de-
sirable wrappers will be in the 1886
crop must, in great measure, be had
from the late tobacco, the early cuttings
being too small, thin, and poor for
wrappers. One Of the great troubles in
curing brights in late crop is that,
owing to sudden changes of tempera-
ture, it is difficult to keep the heat
regular in the barn after cold weather
sets in.
West Virginia.
OF the West Virginia growing crop
comparatively little is known that is
reliable. OF its ffty-fye counties there
are only five that contribute to this
market, and that chiefly bright tobacco,
which is esteemed for its good color and
smooth leaf. 1t is being more and
more cured by flues, and is thus I'M
proved.
In 1880 this State produced in all
1926, 600 pounds. About $500 pack
sges were received and sold here this
year. The crop is reported at IS per
cent. Of an average, with fair to good
prospects as to yield and quality.
Ksnswha is 4 mixed county in tobacco.
making dark and bright both. Burleys
are extensively made in other counties,
ard are shipped West. Richmond and
Lynchburg get the brights chiefly. Rich
porous mountain land and rich valleys
have produced very perfect leaf, and
such is adapted to wrappers and es-
teemed as good English shipping, but
has heretofore been wanting in fine
favor and high color, but it continues
to improve. The bright counties pro.
6uced in 1880 as follows:
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