The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-18
TOBACCO GROWING FINELY.
Georgia Win Soon Have a Reputation
for II,


for II.
Tobacco growing in Georgia is on the up
ward movement. aud before long the state
will doubtless become almost as we'll known
for its tobacco as 1t has been for its cotton.
Fine specimens are being sent to the
tobacco houses of this city nearly every
we3k z, and President Herman Myers Of the
Savannah Grocery Company pronounces
the leaf he has received the equal of any
thing produced by the old tobacco countries.
DE says the Georgia farmer who will per-
slst In planting cotton when he can make
three or four times as much out of an acre
OF tobacco is blind to his interest.
MAJ. W. l.. Glessner has an article in a
recent issue Of the Rural NeiC Yorker on
the subject in which he predicts great
things for the state. 1t is as follows:
"For years Georgia led all the states IN
the production of cotton, and when that
great staple began to wRne in price she
! took up the watermelon and made OF il a
great commercial commodity, famous
| throughout the world. One June morning
Delaware, New Jersey and California,
which for years had monopolized the mar
ket with their early peaches, woke up to
| ind that Georgia had not only entered
their fed, but was in the lead. And now
the world can prepare to add Georgia to
the list Of the great tobacco producing
states, and In a few years she will head the
list.
Tobacco has been raised Ia the state ever
since it's settlement, but never until the past
few years for the market. Before and dur
ing the war every plantation had its little
patch of the weed, which was crudely cured
under the wagon shed and in the corn crib
afterward twisted up, and under the name
OF 'stlngy green was used for smok-
log and chewing. A few years ago
fhara - "a - -
leaf tobacco in Gadsden county, Florida,
which extended up into the southwest
ern counties of Georgia. For time it
was claimed that this class of tobacco
could be successfully grown only In this
comparatively small territory. Last spring,
however, a number of farmers along the
line Of the Georgia Southern and Florida
railroad concluded to try the cultivation Of
tobacco. About 200 acres were planted at
Cyclone, Valdosta, Triton, Adel, Vienna
and other points along the line, in plats
ranging from one TO fifty acres. Although
the first of the season was unfavorable TO a
good stand and the planters were new to the
business, the crop has been a good one and
the quality of the leaf fine. Both cigar
leaf and plug varieties we're planted, and
both were good.
1.-THE cigar leaf was from Cuban seed
making not only fine wrappers but good
filters. The yield was from 700 TO 900
pounds per acre, which, at the average
price Of last year 81 cents per pound would
amount to from $2l7 to 1910 per acre.
The cost of production is estimated
at $50 per acre, which would leave net
profit of from $i67 to $3.50 per acre. The
plug tobacco gave about the same yield,
although at Triton there were raised on ten
acres II, 900 pounds. Taking the yield at
an average OF 700 pounds per acre, and
the price at 20 cents per pound
(which is low for the quality. we have a
gross income Of $40 per acre. The cost of
production is estimated at $35 per acre,
which leaves net profit of sos Ter acre.
This is better showing than many Of the
old tobacco producing states, as their aver
age yield Is from 400 TO 500 pounds per acre.
When our planters have more experience
am satisfied that our section will make a
still better showing. Some Of this tobacco
was grown upon land which was in the
forest last February, and ell of it upon land
which can be bought from IS to $40 per
acre.
These facts aud figures show that South
Georgia offers advantages to tobacco grow
ers which are equaled by few If any other
sections. In the first place the soil and cli-
mate are favorable to the production Of
both cigar leaf and plug tobacco, so that
the grower has the advantage of
cultivating whatever variety will
bring the greatest profit. 10 the second
place the land is 50 low in price that man
of moderate means can engage in planting.
The successful ex periments of this year have
awakened a decided interest in tobacco
culture among the farmers along the line
OF the Georgia Southern road, and the
probability is that several thousand acres
will be planted along the line next year"
Tobacco, journal published in New
York city, in its issue Of Sept 9, has
special article on the growing of the weed
in Georgia. Here is what 1t says:
1.-TWO aspirants for honors as tobacco pro-
ducing sections are setting up their respect
i've claims-Georgia and California.
Georgia is the newer and more modest.
And she is more likely to sooner attain graf
flying results, as she seems to understand
that to do one thing at a time, and do it
well, is the sure way to perfect success.
There is no reason why Georgia should
not attain as great success as a bright leaf
producer as Wisconsin has attained in the
production of cigar leaf. Wisconsin had to
fight hard for the position she holds to-day,
and the fight was costly. Success was
achieved only after many years Of practical
experience, and many bitter disappoint-
ments preceded her final triumph.
"a Chicago leaf house was asked by the
writer in 1877: do you handle any Of this
Wisconsin leafP we do was the reply,
but we have to be very careful who we
are so ignorant and preiudIcsd that if we
admitted to them that we did, they would
walk out and never come in again. To
man who we know is a judge OF leaf on its
merits we have no hesitation in showing it
to him for what it is, but to large number
we neither sell it nor admit that
we handle 10 for the reeson stated.
But the speaker added, you
mark my words Wisconsin leaf is going TO
make place for itself in the next ten wears
second to no other seed leaf growing locality
in this country, and we are encouraging the
fellows who are growing itup there to stick
60 1t all We can. However, don't say any
thing about that Two years later their
encouragement Of the industry bankrupted
them, but five years later it made them
fortune.
Georgia has a greater practical experience
to draw upon. aud more natural advantages
than Wisconsin had. Her path is not hedged
with SO many thorns, and her ultimate sue
cess may not be 50 long deferred as was that