The herald., 1893-08-11
A TOBACCO ELIJAH.
HE ADDRESSES THE STATE BOARD
OF TRADE.
The Difficulty Of Making Asriculturists
Follow Up Their Researches.
Some Points About To-
bxcco Culture.

The tobacco industry in California
was the subject of discussion at yester-
days meeting of the state board OF
trade, says the San Francisco Chronicle.
The subject was introduced by J. ID.
Culp of Gilroy in paper which was
read at the opening OF the meeting. In
this document the statement is made
that the early Mexican settlers, the
Jeeuits in fact, brought tobacco seeds to
this state, but that the cultivation as
sumed no commercial Importance until
1852, when 2,000, 900 ponnds of leaf to-
bacco were produced. Mr.. Culp says
that, with few exceptions, he is the
only one left of the original growers, in
fact that he Is the Elijah of tobacco
growers. He has been rewarded for his
persistency in the cultivation in Santa
Clara county of superior quality and
OF good value. He is now organizing q
company to introduce and direct the
general planting of all varieties OF to-
bacco in every portion OF the state.
The peculiar advantages OF California
soil for the raising of tobacco were
pointed out; among them is the great
saving in manuring, which is quite un-
necessary here. As there are no frosts
here two crops can be raised annually.
As an illustration of the success with
which tobacco growing is meeting, the
fact is mentioned that contract has
been made for 81, 900 pounds Of Califor-
mia leaf at 30 cents pound, and liberal
estimates place the cost OF growing an
acre of tobacco at not more than $50.
Connecticut has produced an average Of
$3.50 an acre clear profit year on it's
tobacco lands, while in Lancaster county,
Pa, alone the average product of tobacco
is 100000 pounds. Eastern dealers
pronounce California grown tobacco Of
superior quality, and each crop of to-
bacco contains large percentage of
wrapper stock, more than sufficient to
work up the crop. These wrappers have
higher value than anything produced
in Florida, where 81 pound is paid for
entire crops.
The paper closes with the assertion
that where the raw material is raised
the manufactures are sure to be devel-
oped, and thns great industry may be
created.
In the discussion which followed W.
H. Mills pointed out the fact that Cali
fornians are too apt to neglect the op-
portunities they have to make use of
the results Of scientific research and ex-
periments in other lands. He referred
to the statement of German professor,
Mr.. Solomon, who recently visited this
coast In the interests of the tanning in.
dustry- He said that the Americans
are the most extravagant people in the
world, using the resources at their COM
mand with a lsvishness that has no re-
gard for the future, and neglecting to
develop resources which it would cost
nothing to foster. In illustration of
this Mr.. Solomon pointed to the contin-
usl use of oak bark, which contains
from to 13 per cent OF tannic acid, in
preference to cultivating golden wattles
or acacias, which will grow on the forest
soil and in marshy ground. and contains
80 per cent OF tannic acid. In Germany
the lack OF oak bark has required scien-
tific research. and there acacia is used.
This led to discussion OF the means
taken to inform growers of all kinds OF
the results OF scientific research. and the
conclusion was >resched that though .
horse may be lea altb AHei water he cam
not be made to drink, any more than
the cultivator can be smsda to read the
documents at his epmihahds rA
IN