Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-23
BRIGHT TOBACCoEs.
The Success in Raising Them Around
Richmond.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
1t is very gratifying 10 those members
Of trade who interested themselves in
the culture Of bright tobacco around
Richmond to have their predictions yeri-
fed. There are in this vicinity some nice
crops OF as bright colOrei fine
textured tobacco now being housed as
can be grown anywhere. Several OF these
are right at the corporate limits Of the
city. And thus the fact has been de-
monstrated beyond any further question
that Richmond can be and ought 10 be
surrounded by bright tobacco fields the
equal Of any in the world. Even though
the prices Of bright tobacco have fallen,
there is still more money in it Gor the
capital invested than In any other farm
product. In the old belt there Is still
another failure this season. making the
sixth one in succession. Not since 1870
have they had good crop OF bright to-
bacco. II the advantages Of our lands
were advertised and made known to the
farmers, share-hands. and laborers Of
the old sections, there would be such a
stream Of them pouring in here as would
surprise our people. These farmers even
who own lands and who have been knock
ing clods and stopping gullies and
winding up with repeated failures would
come here, II they could not sell their
own. and rent lands. did they know their
adaptability for fine tobacco. What a
discovery IL would be 10 many of them
TO find our lands-cheap. light and sandy
easy Of cultivation. and underneath a
yellowish clay subsoil. To this might be
added. accessible to a great city and
market, good roads, and climate free
from the malaria OF other new bright to-
-. q
widdie. who sold a load OF his crop on
our market last week said II grew upon
land that would not bring more than
two barrels of corn per acre. 1t was
the poorest part OF his crop that he
marketeS but / dare say he carried back
more money for this than for any other
load of farm produce he ever raised.
heard an intelligent and conservative to-
baccOnist remark a few days ago that
he believed with a little effort on the
part Of our people ten million pounds OF
bright tobacco could be raised and
marketed here another year. This would
mean the paying out TO farmers of one
million dollars. Add 10 this FIVE to ten
millions more pounds shipped 10 US from
other sections and the holding and adding
TO our dark loose trade. and we would
have a market worthy OF the name. The
future is certainly full OF promise for
Us In this line.
1t is strange indeed that our merchants
and Businessmen in their seekings for
trade do not see their interest in this mat
ter and supplement what has already been
done with efforts Of their own. Only
few dollars was spent In distributing to-
bacco seed. &c. and already the ground
work has been laid. II seems stranger
stlll that the real-estate men OF our city
do not advertise these lands and their
peculiar fitness for this great money
crop-bright tobacco. A farmer from
North Carolina, and one OF the wealthiest
and most successful In that State. In
looking at one OF the crops growing in
our new section few weeks ago. said II
was the finest he had ever seen growing.
When a foreigner comes over 10 place an
order for tobacco he naturally seeks Rich
mond as the Oldest and best-sdvertised
market. Could he see here great ware
houses filed with tobacco fresh from tho
fields and farmers hand. as can be seen
In all other tobacco cities, he would
never go further. There would be no &C.
caslon to do SO. Through this channel.
and this alone. can Richmond's lost orders
DO brought back to her. The sustaining