The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-01
TOBACCO DEPARTM ENT.
TOBACCO TRADE nEvIrw.


been in vain, and to-day no man knows
what the policy OF the Government on
this question will be. or how much longer
the trade will have 10 suffer and endure.
BY the masses this tax j. regarded ~
menopolistic, helping the rich, depressing
the poor. BY theoppressed tobacco-fais-
ing States, planters regarded the tax AS
an unjust discrimination in products and
taxation. Politicians are prone TO see
good appointment machinery in the reye.-
nue. officers. and seem afraid TO proceed
against IL. But whatever keeps the tax
on. the people want ig OF, as the tobacco
business has suffered untold losses for
years by the continued agitation, and no
steady business may be expected until 1t
is a settled question.
OyER-PRODUCTTOS.
There has been a manifest over-pro-
ductiOn of all sorts OF tobacco for several
years. only the higher classes of brights
and the finest dark grades excepted.
With crops as poor, carelessly cultivated,
and regardless Of the markets demand
and the worlds consumption, dull
market could but result While added
10 home causes for decline, in Germany
a heavy import duty was levied this year
on foreign tobacco, which almost eXclud-
cd the vast quantity OF low grades that
were formerly and for many years eX-
ported 10 that country. Under such pro-
lection the German tobacco crop was
of course stimulated, and large
reduction in the price OF common
American shipping tobacco resulted,
with large stock accumulated at home,
and in other European open markets leaf
remained dull on both sides of the ocean,
and many heavy losses have resulted TO
shippers and shippers Of leaf; and the
wonder is that the year closes as success
full as it appears to be, for bad failures
there have been none in or midst, nor
have these around Us affected this market
materially, thus showing the great STA
hilitv and c0nseryativenea Of The bust
ness as conducted in our fair city.
BRIGHT TOBACCO
More fortunate have been those who
have dealt in this grade. The cOnsump-
tive demand ~ home aud abroad has in
creased on the higher grades, and In par
ticulsr for fine bright cutters suitable for
cigarettes and Ane-cuts and though nj
times the market may have been dull,
prices have been always well maintained,
and toward the latter part OF the year
larye advances took place, with the piac-
ing Of large lots 10 leading manuiaciur-
ers. This movement was stimulated 10y
the ascertained great reduction in TIE
product of this class OF fine leaf m III.
1883 crop. which likewise has Effected
and will advance the new hrights as well
as old fine stock, and the day seems not
far of when the lover grades Of hrighis
Will also participate IN the upwardmoYe-
meat. while on the other hand for very
common grades there l. less likelihood Of
any permanent advance soon.
BRIGHT WRAPPERS.
The market has passed through some
very dull and long spells. but there was
no cause for any sacrifice as prices PAID
originally admitted OF safety in carrying
This stock for a rise. which has been
realized in the past sixty days and this
has resulted i'm q marked speculative
ociigitv that viii no doubt rebound 10
the good Of holders of fine leafy stock
with the beginning OF the new year. The
new crop lacking color and quality and
leaf alike will cause the demand 10 be for
the old grades, even down TO the com
mOner mahogany sorts.
FILLERe
were dull like smokers, and have gen
crallv caused the heavier losses among
holders. and IN the past sixty days only
the better grades were salable in round
lots at anything like fair value. Stocks
at present appear, however, so much re-
duced that the market is likely to stliien
on such tObaccOs.
DARRs
Dark leaf has been generally duh and
declining. ard all classes OF dealers in
this kind have now cause for complaint
for reasons given heretofore. Our pres
ent stocks are largely composed OF com
mon accumulatiOns, for which the ]ui-
look is not very inviting, while the new
is only adding TO the lOw-grade surplus
Planters are in this alike sufferers with
the dealers and manufacturers In the
/ low, dull markets.
NEW TOBACCO.
The crop Of 1883 is coniessedly poor
/ In quality and large in quantity, afford
I inc most unsatisfactory business basl,
I for home tobacco In the face OF iul
warning. our planters have made 2 ful
crop of Just what the world has been re-
/ iecting and the demand has been lessen
/ Ing for years, and thet now pay the pen
atty in the low prices that have irresisu
/ bly followed. The receipts OF tobacco
/ in this market have been nearly all loose
and so small a quantity as compared u
/ the crop size and the receipts of formei
wears. that we conclude that planters are
better contented and better of, per
/ haps. by holding 10 recorder thei
crops for better prices thar
at present sacrifices for il is sure tha
they cannot realize cost Of production a
the average prices lately received at =
to cents per pound. Although it ha
been time and again proposed to rais'
less tobacco, and thereby improve thl
smaller quantity, and thus to stimulate
prices, there has not been any definite &C
lion taken in this matter by planters, sn'
the worst always comes 10 the worst be
fore there Is any change for the better ,an1
this only from natural causes rather thar
any intelligent fOrethought on tho par
of producers. The prospects for goo'
prices on fine tobacco are very hatterin!
for 1880, and II may be said also tina
the also very scarce fine dark grades vii
sell well for dark export work an
shipping.
sUNCURED TOBACCO.
The old stock has been well used W
and at good paying prices. This grad
has a good future, with moderated
large new crop There is rarely a sur
plus, even of the medium grades Of thi
line chewing plug grade. more in use a
home than elsewhere.
BURLEYs.
Burlevs have been more and more re
sorted to in years passed, till there ar
to-day more than seyen-eights OF on
factories using the same Some OF III
earlier factories 10 adopt this kentuck
growth have already an established
reputation and valued brands that alon
enables them TO compete with the i'm
mense Western tobacco concerns in thi
line. Our market viii probably US
fO OnO LhIs Of hurley i'm 1889 and Their