The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-04-05

a gentle voice asked me 10 wall.
Her blessing she with kiss,
And tears on her cheeks could see,
Oh. how often that sweet face I've missed,
There is no one like mother to me.
An Open Letter to the Tobacco
Planters.
Mr.. EDITOR Feeling deep inter-
est in the welfare of my countrymen |
have taken the liberty to write this
letter that it may result in some good
to that class of men 'who pay for
ALP (the farmers), and the outlook for
the coming crop of tobacco. The
tobacco market like other markets is
governed by supply and demand. We
all admit that the recent advance in
prices have been of great benefit, but
l am decidedly OF the opinion that
this sudden rise is no good reason why
the planter should pitch large crop
for this year, hoping for same results
next year. Ask yourself the question:
What caused this sudden advance in
price? Was it the short crop in North
Carolina and Virginia? No, sir. 1t
was the short crop of Burley made IN
the West, which, for the past few
years, has in great measure taken
the place of North Carolina and Vlr-
cinia tobaccos, and must, IN a great
measure, govern the prices of our to-
baccos for some time to come. En-
couraged as they have been for the
past few years, it is reasonable to sup
pose that they will put forth every
effort this year to raise a large crop,
and we are informed that they are
doing everything that can be done to
pitch the largest crop of tobacco that
has been pitched. You may put it
down as a certainty, with good plant
ing and fair seasons, they will house a
heavy crop.
With these facts standing out before
us. will it not inevitably weaken oul
prices and place us back to the 10"
average made last year, when many
sold their tobacco for less than the
cost OF production? Already news
papers are heralding to the world that
North Carolina is preparing for
beavy crop. This even affects the
prices; but how will it be when th'
fact is established that North Carolina
and Virginia have planted a large
crop than they have for many years
What must he the resuit2 1t will b.
+ lower prices on the remainder OF tn
: crop On hand as we'll as the one to b.
marketed next year. Plant large crop
5 and make the bulk of it common
e YOU want to see low prices-below tn
e cost of production.
n If you want to save your time an
v money, and be prosperous and happy
Il make your own fertilizers, buy but lit
G tie. Plant small crop without to
much cost of labor, and make it goo
+ and cure it we'll, then your labor WI
|, not be in vain.
a ! verify believe it will always pay
If raise fine yellow tobacco in the golde
1t belt of North Carolina. If that Is 81
le which every one must admit, then WI
2, not plant only SO much as you Ca
Is make good and that demands a goo
Il price? l can say truthfully that m
le great desire is to see our farmers pro-
p per. The fact is uncontrovertable-
" large crops means low prices. 1t
in for you to decide. You may say II
buyers control the prices, but you a
ot very much mistaken; the farmer can
1e it, if you will. not make more ths
c, there is demand for.
Il, | would call your attention to t
lg fact that the conditions of affairs
Europe look warlike and war is pr
dicted by many of our wisest and bt
men. Troops are massing on t
frontier of Russia. Preparations loo
ing to war, and if it sho uld come tn
must fill their immense armies prin
pally with laboring men, those tt
'' drive the plow. That makes the
then consumers ard not produce
The result will be that they must, II
great measure, draw their supplies frH
the United States, then you will II
that vessels with tapping sails irt
other seas and nations, will throng {
ports to carry Our products to forel
lands. Raise more grain and be p
4. pared to meet the demand for
various products of our soil. With
best wishes for the success and hap
ness Of all,
l am, very respectfully,
]. S. LOCEHART
l. The above letter, as read by J.
Lockhart before the Durham Toba
Board of Trade, was unanimously
dorsed, with the request that he h
the same published.
]. l.. WATKINS, Chm n
LucIoUs TMLri, SeC'y-
Durham, y. {