Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-11-14
The Toharco Crop.

From the Washington correspondent 81
the Baltimore American the following, as to
the condition Of the tobacco crop Of tie Uni
ted States, is gathered:
/ Prof. Conrad, special agent Of the Cepsas
Office on the tobacco crop Of the United States,
has Just returned from an extended trip
through Virginia and North Carolina and the
southern counties Of Maryland. Prof Conrad
VISITED the tobacco ccnters Of these States, 60
ing FIRST to Richmond, thence to Petersburg
and then to DAnvile aud Lynchburg, in Vir-
ginia, and Durham, Oxford Winston, Raleigh
and Asheyille, in North Carolina. The crop
Of the PRESENT year he found in both North
Carolina and Virginia to be a large full crop.
In fact, the crop is much larger and better
than for many years, that for the census year,
1890, only having been half crop. ID the
Southern counties of Maryland there was
found nothing encouraging and nothing to
indicate that the future held any hope for
Maryland tobacco growers as long as they
holi 10 present methods and take no steps to
better their condition. As soon as his duties
will permit Prof. Conrad will publish bull
eiu on tobacco, its culture and improved
methods of curing for the benefit Of Maryland
farmers and planters. Unless certain changes
in varieties and methods Of cure are made,
Maryland can never hope for any improve
ment in her tobacco crop, but if these new
methods and changes are adopted, Prof Con-
rad is assured, through observation Of the ef-
feet of these improvements in the South, that
the planters of Maryland can make tobacco
what it was, remunerative crop.
In the Southern counties Of Maryland Cal
vert, Charles, ST. Mary's, Prince Georges
and Anne Arundel-the schedules collected
show the remarkable fact that the acreage is
one-half that of 1880, and the product one
half that Of the last census year. The price,
however, remains the same. There seems to
be no effort, be says, to improve the land on
which tobacco is grown, aud a general condi-
ton of stagnation seems to prevail.
The States Of Virginia and North Carolina
Hdft dWahEHGu 70 tdC ldSt ttiit tOUhGGO 70 u
more valuable crop than cotton, and by the
use of fertilizers and improved methods OF
curing, are yearly making larger and more
valuable crops Flue-curing obtains in these
States, and according to Prof Conrad, any
other system is out Of date.
Maryland has not adopted this system OF
curing at all, and in consequence the coarse,
common tobacco that is raised, is cared in a
manner to bring out all the bad qualities Of
the leaf, and destroy whatever good qualities
it may have.
Prof Conrad has started again on his trav-
els, this time taking an extended trip through
the tobacco seed-lelf region of New England
New York and Pennsylvania. The imporm-
ton of Snmatra leaf has seemingly affected
these sections aud he hopes to learn of the
beneficial effects of the new tuitT law on tobac-
co production in the future of these planters
Hon. John Hyde, the chief Of Agriculture
Division \, of the Census, is deeply interested
in this important branch of the eleventh cen
sus. and is doing great and lasting work for
the farmers and planters Of this county
His department when completed will be a com
pendlum of valuable and useful statistical
information. the Ike of which has never been
done ia the history Of this country.