The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-03
TOBACCO IN GEORGIA.

Its Culture Successful and Profitable.
For years Georgia, says W. L. Glessner in
Rural NelU Yorker, led all the states in the
production of cotton, and when that great
stable began to wane in price she took up
the watermelon and made Of it a great COM
rnprcial commodity, famous throughout the
world. One June morning Delaware, New
Jersey and California, which for years had
monopolized the market with their early
peaches, woke up to find that Georgia had
not only entered their field, 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 few years she
will head the list.
Tobacco has been raised in the state ever
since its settlement, but never until the past
few years for the market. Before and
during the war every plantation had its
little patch Of the weed, which was crudely
cured under the wagon shed and in the
corn-crib, after ward twisted up. and under
the name Of "stiugy green" was used for
chewing and smoking. A few years ago
there was a revival OF the culture of cigar
leaf tobacco in Gadsdeu county, Florida
which extended up into the south western
counties OF Georgia. For a time it
was claimed that this class of to-
bscco could be successfully grown
only in this comparatively
mall territory. Last spring, however, a
number of farmers along the line OF the
Georgia Southern and Florida railroad con-
cluded to try the cultivation of tobacco.
About 200 acres were planted at Cyclone,
ValdOsta, Triton, Abel, Vienna and other
points along the line, IN plaJs ranging from
one to fifty acres. Although the first of
the season was unfavorable to good stand,
aud the planters we're new to the business,
the crop his teen a good one and the
-. - L.
plug varieties were planted, and both were
good.
The cigar leaf was from Cuban seed,
making not only fine wrappers but good
filters. The yield was from 700 to 1000
pounds per acre, which at the average
price last year 81 cents per pound, would
amount to from S2l7 to $50 per acre. The
cost Of production is estimated at $50 per
acre, which would leave a net profit of
from $l67 to 1850 per acre. Th6 plug
tobacco gave about the same yield, although
at Triton there were raised on tea acres
1900 pounds. Taking the yield at an
average Of 700 pounds per acre, and the
price at ~ cents per pound (which
is low for the quality we have
The cost of production is estimated at S35
per acre, which would leave net profit of
sos per acre. This is a better showing than
many of the old tobacco producing states
make, as their average yield is from 40) to
500 pounds per acre. When our planters
have more experience l am satisfied that
our section will make a still better showing
Some Of this tobacco was grown upon LAID
VIII h was in the forest last February, aud
all Of 1t upon land which can be bought for
from S. to $40 per acre.
These facts and figures show that South
Georgia fferstadvantages to tobacco grow
ers which are equaled by few if any other
sections. In the first place the soil and
climate are favorable to the production of
both cigar leaf and plug tobacco, 80 that
the grower has the advantage or cultivating
whatever variety will bring him the great
est profit. In the second place, the land is
30 low in price that q man of moderate
means can engage in planting. The sue
cessful experiments of this year have
awakened 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.
As one who has felt for twenty-five wears
\ the greatest interest in the progress and
Il well being of the southern farmers, and
WHO has often had occasion TO advise them
an regard to methods of farming and some
other matters. the agricultural editor of
q "I this paper has watched with interest the
81
culture In this state. We have felt for
several wears that to large number of far
IherS tobacco culture would offer great in
uacements as money crop, but il cannot
Tuer the same inducements to all
q for thousands it would no doubt
prove false move to give up the
a crops that they are familiar with and that
gre more necessary to the welfare and ad-
8 saAcemenU and turn to the cultivation of
souac o as panaoea for the ills that beset
r"e staple system of the present. AS mere
sentiment 1t will appear as a sad reflection
81 upon the civilization of man and his teDr
ueucy TO sacrifice the growing of food and
V,Gi,hnlng to the growing OF crop that is
,oIIuer Iood nor clothing, but on the con-
,rary product the use of which is in no wise
HHellIuI TO man even if it is not deOasing to
10 a's III ntaI, moral and physical nature. As
"a st'2 page Is devoted TO the practical matters
-. 'lr'hl rather than TO philosophy we do
a D ~, p'opose TO discuss the matter from any
'laLuDont of sentiment.
"a , Hne OBJECT he 9 is to find out If tobacco
Juture is good thing for Georgia farmers.
~ crop that will MAKE them money,
o-u' VIII put their farming on a higher and
81 , ,no' satisfactory basiss II they grow it to
eue exclusion of every thing else, to the same
lent that they have grown cotton for che
plSe LIty years, will its culture prove so
NJ ttuulaole that it will supply the means of
-; Guy hg everything else that they may need
W. va, :, way OF food and clothing? some of
# No. NC "a, mers OF the country, even of South
ca oo' Georgia, we presume, will still go
n thou raising food aad clothing
sign they may see many OF
c ,qr nelghbors rising in the world from the
lse OF tobacco as a speciality. For the
rrse mass of farmers, however, tobacco
ero' as specialty-as an exclusive
ev op-"lll be out Of the question. Let
lsry one that will, and that has suitable
~ "u Ior the purpose and knows how to
S,,,'and put 1t IN shape for the market,
siL1'uVate tobacco, but let it be easonable
81 crop, charging the area only as they
~1f oee justified by the results.
Il no yuis advice is questionable we should
- e'au TO hear from our readers, especially
c uIse who have had experience in tobacco
ure' s. A. G.