Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-02-13
For the Herald and Tribune.
TOBACCO A PAYING CROP.
Why We Should Grow 1t In East Ten.

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vantage to grown tobacco at all times;
and at this especial time, considering
the condition of affairs, it will be the
safest crop you can grow. First, it is
best to grow it at all times, because it
always has a market value and you can
get the cash for it; and there is not any
thing you a raise on the same amount
of land, that will bring you as much
money, Though l am free to admit it
takes more labor than some other crops.
1t is best that you raise it at this espec-
ial time, because everything is far
cheaper proportionally than tobacco.
Hogs and cattle are very low, wheat is
cheaper than it has been since the war.
Corn is selling better, but the outlook
is, that it will be much cheaper another
season, for corr at the present price
would pay the western farmer better
than wheat, and he will plant a large
crop, which will cause over production
and cheap corn. Considering the pres
ent prices of tobacco, l would conclude
that tobacco is more stable and is not
effected by hard times SO much as other
crops. And you should raise you a
crop of tobacco to tide you over this
year; for times will be harder than they
have ever been in my opinion. l do
not wish to be a pessimist or an alarm
list, but when l look at the condition of
the country impartially and dispassion-
ately l can see nothing but financial
straits ahead. There is not enough
money in circulation to carry on the
business of the country and to move
the crops; and as a result of bad legis.
lation the Government is scarcely able
to maintain its credit. 1t has issued in
twelve month 8 bonds to the amount of
one hundred million to maintain its
credit, and today it is on the eve of is
suing bonds for another hundred mil
lion. Though the people of the coun-
try were putin debt a hundred million,
this hundred million did not pay a sim
gle obligation of the Government, or
will the second hundred million dis
charge a single obligation. When will
this end, and how long could a com
mercial institution run, which could
only be kept up by going in debt? The
Government is in this condition. Hence
it is rational to suppose, that some rad
ical change will have TO be made in its
financial system. This alone would
bring hard times, for q change so radi.
cal, however good, would cause a con.
vulsion in the financial world and it
would take a good time to assume a
normal state. And too, there is q Pres
idential election in 1896, and election
years are generally marked by financial
stringency. Now as tobacco is not eff
fected by the financial condition of af.
fairs so much as other crops, l would
advise you to raise it. Farmers have
received in Greeneville from $50 to $3.50
for bright tobacco grown on a single
acre. one farmer two weeks ago made
an average of twenty six cents a pound
for his entire crop; he received 1886 for
tobacco grown on n and a half acres.
A hundred pounds of good wrappers
will sell for more than a good mule, or
will bring more than a hundred bushels
of wheat. When Virginia was first
settled tobacco would buy u wife, and
if it won't buy Il now, it will go a
long ways towards supporting N We
know of renters who have bought the
landlord 8 farm raising tobacco. Yes,
tobacco will pay, aud we want you
farmers of East Tennessee to raise it
and we give you every encouragement.
You have the finest country in which
to raise tobacco under the blue canopy
of Heaven, and you are remaining
quietly and allowing the golden oppor-
t%unities to slip from you. You, who
have lands adapted to the growth of
bright tobacco, should raise bright to-
bacco by all means; but those who
have a rich red clay soil or good loamy
land, which would produce from fifty
to eighty bushels of corn per acre should
grow hurley tobacco. 1t will pay about
$50 per acre; it is not so troublesome as
bright tobacco, and can be raised at a
cost of 800 per acre leaving a profit of
about $50 per acre. If any wish to
grow this tobacco and make q definite
contract to be paid so much for it per
plant, drop me a postal and a man will
come to see you, and if your land is
suitable, will a contract with you and
furnish, without charge, seed and print
ed instructions how to grow hurley to-
bacco. 1t takes more room to cure
hurley as it is air cured. Those who
wish to grow bright tobacco can get
seed and instructions on application.
In raising tobacco q farmer should raise
grain aud meat enough to supply his
family and buy nothing he can raise
on the farm, in this way his tobacco
crop would be clear money. You, of
course, can sell your tobacco where it
suits you best, but we of Greeneville
think We can pay you as much for it,
as you car get at any market. The
American Tobacco Company, backed
by many millions, has a branch house
here. Two large factories export d.
rectly to Europe, and three concerns
manufacture plug and smoking tobac-