Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-23

cured tobaccos raised in the counties con-
tiguous to Richmond, and which were
brought in by wagons and carts. They
were part Of the vanguard OF the new
crop, and as usual were its poorest speci-
mems, yet they were fairly workable for
manufacturing and for stripping Tor
export, and prices ruled good.
From such Of the dealers as the
Dispatch representative talked with 1t
was discovered that subsequent loose
tobacco breaks would probably grade
much higher. as the best OF tho crop IL
put upon the market last. Not
a few OF the piles of loose tobacco are
brought into the markets by negroes
who plant on shares, and Who illustrate
the evolution Of the humors of tobacco
transportation. In the primitive days
of the tobacco trade the hogshead was
its own vehicle, and a mule pulled the
hogshead and a negro pulled the
mule. Sambo could not ride on the
hogshead because he was not raised IN
tho school of the circus man who walks
the barrel. and "Old Master would
not let him ride the mule. Now that
the negro is his own master and the cart
has taken the place OF the hogshead 1t Is
not an unusual sight to see more pounds
of negro than of tobacco on the vehicle.
BRIGHT TOBACCO.
As regards new bright tobaccos-those
raised in the Virginia and North Carolina
counties along the border-it appears,
from the best information obtainable,
that they are disappointing IN both
color and quality. But small quantities
OF these have yet come In. as the heavy
movement in them does not commence
until they have been hung up and dried.
The mountain tobaccos are also classed
as brights, and gentleman IN the
business who had recently travelled
through West Virginia informed the
DISPATCH representative yesterday that
these tobaccos were more otf-color than
they had been for years. The crop IS
fairly full one, however, and has body.
CAUSE OF DULNEss.
The cause of dulness in the trade can
be accounted for on several grounds.
To begin with, tobacco always feels
any stringency in the money market,
and, as a very prominent tobacco-dealer
expressed It activity could not be
expected until the recent furry IN
financial circles North had subsidized.
Again the manufacturers generally
showdown as the holidays APP
proach. and last but not least the rebate
question is potential faction In re-
stricting orders for the manufactured
article. Congress, at its last ses
sion, it will be remembered, reduced
the tax ON tobacco from eight 10 SIN
cents per pound. and the bill as passed
provides for a tax rebate of two cents per
pound on all tobacco on hand on the first
Of January. In engrossing the bill, how
ever, the rebate clause was left out. AS
strong pressure will be brought to hear
by manufacturers TO have Congress at
It's next session re-onact that clause,
buyers are not disposed 10 "stock" until
the question is definitely settled.
THE OUTLOOK.
But from the information gathered
from weli-posted and conservative Leaf
dealers the outlook for activity IN the
trade after Christmas appears very
bright. There will be, said several OF
them, q great demand for tobaccos
when the holidays are over. and this
news is fortified by the confident tone OF
the manufacturers. The present condl'
ton of the market and it's promises are
such as to indicate that nowhere can the
new crop be handled to better advantage
than here.
AMONG THE MANUFACTURERS.
Considering the season and the other
drawbacks mentioned, the manufacturers
are moderately busy, while of the export
trade it may be said it holds up well.
The cigarette business, it was learned,
is active. A concomitant development
OF the situation in tobacco circles, which
speaks well not only for that trade, but
sustains the reputation for conservatism
of Richmond businessmen general
ly, is that the citys trade has
been kept we'll in hand. In refer
ring 10 the financial furry, the proprie-
tor Of one Of the largest tobacco manu-
featuring establishments remarked to the
DISPATCH representative that The bust
ness community had been watching the
financial movements closely for some
time. and that there was no lover
trading" He expressed himself regard
ing the situation here in u most assuring
manner.
on HAND.
The old stock on hand amounts tc
about IL, 900 hogsheads, and quotations
on Change show that prices rule here
as firm as elsewhere. The Richmond to-
bacco-dealers as rule will tell you al
they know, good and bad, touching the
trade, and if it is competent 10 pass any
criticism on them it is that they are too
conservative-not to say cautious-ir
setting forth the advantages OF the city
D. O market. That it possesses superior
advantages as a market for both Virgins
and North Carolina does not admit o.
question. It's large manufactures anC
its facilities for preparing and shipping
export grades conspire TO make 1t I
natural tobacco-centre. Recurring u
the loose-tobacco sales, it may be OBJ
served that if the animation exhibited
around the piles at the warehouses Fri
day is O criterion Of what is 10 follow
when the better grades of reds begin Il
come in and the movements in bright
shall be fully on the market will expert
ence one Of its most active years.
TO SUN UP.
In summing up and rejecting as IA
as possible the opinions and informa
ton obtainable from mingling for o fey
| hours with tobacco-men and studying
the scenes on Change and around tn
warehouses the conclusions reached ar
as follows The crop moving from coun
ties adjacent to Richmond is not up Il
| expectations, but Of good workable quail
ity, and promises better show
ing when the season shall hav
fully opened. Virginia aud North Caro-
lima border brights not up to expectation
in color or quality. but will prove readi,,
marketable. West Virginia's heavy ant
off color, but promising in the bette
grades some compensation in weight
i a ~. I'd loo No.