The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-07
TOBACCO CULTURE.
A NEW INDUSTRY ATTRACTING
ATTENTION IN MIDDLE FLORIDA.

ATTENTION IN MIDDLE FLORIDA.
Quincy in the Olden Time-Introduc-
ton of the Tobacco Plant-Increase
in the Area Observation-Disclosures
County in the Lead-The Largest To-
bacco Growers in the World-Eight
Varieties of Tobacco-Probable Yield
Total Acreage of Tobacco in Gads-
Gainesville Aspiring to be the
Capital of Florida-A New Railroad
acknowledgements and Hotels the
Great Want.
Quincy, in her palmy ante-bellum days,
enjoyed the proud distinction of being
styled the Athens of Florida. Here much of
the wealth, intelligence and fashion of the
State had congregated, forming a society
famous for its elevated tone and refinement.
1t was the abode of that highest type of
man, the Southern planter, who counted his
broad acres by thousands, and hundreds of
willing slaves obeyed his every behest. Cot
ton then reigned paramount as king, and
unfortunately with fatal neglect of the
most obvious teachings of agriculture, the
fertile soil was almost reduced to sterility
by successive crops of the great staple and
the obesnce of fertilizers. No wonder that
here, as we'll as in all the older settled por-
lions of the Southern States, broad ex-
panse of gully furrowed abandoned fields
are to be seen, denuded of fences and COW
evered with broom sedge and brambles.
They cannot be rented, and until recently
have been selling for mere song. The cure
= 4 CO. Of Hfa;r .e TO h.,
found in
SMALL FARMS,
white immigration, intensified culture and
abundant manuring. Happily, however,
for Gadsden county and Quincy, the remedy
bids fair to be attained by the general in
PRODUCTION OF the tobacco plant. This has
been no sudden movement. For several
years skilled growers and manipulators of
the weed incog, have been prospecting in
all parts of the county, and quietly buying
up various areas of land at prices ranging
from 50 80 to So per acre, until single or
ganization,
THE FLORIDA TOBACCO PRODUCING AND
TRADING COMPANY,
are the owners of 10, 900 acres in fee sim
pie. Others have followed this example,
and now the project has assumed grand
proportions owing to the signal success
WHICH lbs CIOWlleQ Ulic oSN0I al ca
which have been made in the growing of
the new staple. In the meantime in order
to foster the enterprise, for several seasons
Col. Chipley and the Department of Agri
culture at Washington have been distribut-
ing large quantities of the purest seed i'm
ported from Cuba. Many put out small
patches, and when the plants come to ma
turity and were cut and duly cured, the
STARTLING DISCOVERY
was made that the weed in appearance,
flavor and quality was in all respects fully
equal to the best samples imported from
HAVANA
Soon the matter was further tested by
several cigar makers, and the manufac-
tured article was at once pronounced byex-
perts to be equal to any brands in the mar
ket. Since then the production and manu-
facture have been steadily advancing, I'M
til at length the tobacco industry forms a
very important element in the prosperity
of the community A single factory pur-
chased at Quincy the present season
TEN TONS,
and saw farmers bringing in their tobacco
in bags and boxes, all of which was eagerly
sought after and purchased.
Moreover, it has been ascertained that the
best samples are grown upon the old and
worn lands which of course, however,
tilizers One favorable feature in the bust
ness is this: Every farmer can make the
culture of tobacco val able addendum to
his other field crops, just as he does sugar
cane. All know that the latter, converted
into syrup and sugar is fOurfold more
profitable than the same area in cotton.
So, a very small patch of tobacco, say five
acres, which the owner, with the aid of a
son, can attend in person, can be easily
70, xriolI oJ full
80 acres of average cotton at present prices.
This is beginning to be realized, hence the
general desire by the farmers of Gadsden to
embark in the business.
But let us now go into facts. and note the
TOBACCO OUTLOOK
for fhe coming season in this county alone
From Mr.. Oppenheimer, the indefatigable
President of the Florida Producing and
Trading Company, and the manager, w.
NJ Cory, | learn that the concern will
plant no less than 200 acres in tobacco the
present year. This will be the largest
acreage Of the weed ever cultivated on the
globe by single syndicate or organiza-
ton.
OF course their plantations do not COM
prise one compact body, but are scattered
all over the county though under the same
management and direction. Immense
nurseries of young plants are fourishing
luxuriantly, and ere this meets the eye of
the reader, the work of transplanting will
have commenced.
EIGHT VARIETIES
Of tobacco will be propagated from the
best seeds of foreign and domestic growth.
A moderate estimate of the average yield of
cured tobacco is put down at 900 pounds
per acre, or 40, 900 pounds, worth at SOC. per
pound $500 900. But the finer grades will
command higher price.
The company have already erected 100
comfortable framed houses for their ten
ants, and are now employing 400 farm labor
ers. This force will be largely increased as
their operations are extended. Among the
number are many trained tobacco growers,
who are fully conversant with the cultiva-
ton, cutting, curing and manipulation of
the weed.
The pay roll of the company is Ss,000per
month, the larger portion of which is dis
bursed at Quincy. No wonder that the
merchants stores are heavily stocked with
goods, and they wear smiling countenances
Indeed, the dilapidated old town is fast
awakening from it's Rip Van Wrinkle SUM
Der, and will soon begin to look like its an
Gent self once more.
Manager Cory estimates the tobacco
area in Gadsden county the present year at
5000 acres. A single individual, Mr..
Vogt, is putting in 100 acres.
CIGAR FACTORIES.
Although the business may be regarded
as literally in its infancy, yet in Quincy and
its yipipitu tbo,sa a ra no loss thup aigbt o.