The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-08-19
THE TOBACCO MARKET.

bacco market at this place inaugu-
rated. More than fifty five thousand
pounds of tobacco were brought in
bv farmers of this and adjoining
counties and, as the warehouse was
not large enough to hold more than
half of the quantity at time, the sale
was continued on he succeeding day.
The prices ranged from l cent per
pound fo: the lowest grade of scrap
to 81 so per pound for small pile of
extra fancy wrappers The average
price for the two days was fraction
less than IL cents per pound. Dur
ing the season, which closed on
March lst, the total sales aggregated
three quarters of million pounds,
just so per cent more than the or'gl
nal estimates for the season. The
average price paid on this market
throughout the season was as high as
that of any market in the State and
considerably higher than several.
The season was successful one in
every respect, and before the ware
house closed, on March lst, the d.
rectors of the Sumter Tobacco Ware
house Company had begun to plan
for increasing the facilities for hand
ling the crop Of the next season. The
capital stock of the company was in
creased from $4,000 to $4,000, aad
a new warehouse lS0xl10 and three
large prize houses erected IN the
immediate vicinity of the old ware
house The old warehouse will
continue under the management Of
Mr. j. A Brogdou, who con-
tributed so largely last season by
his progressive and intelligent man
agement, toward establishing the
Sumter market on a safe and firm
basis, aud caused ii to be recognized
as one of the three leading markets
of the State. The new warehouse,
The Planters, will be managed by
Mr J L Morgan, an experienced
warehouseman and one of the most
expert Judges of tobacco now in this
State Each of the warehouses has
a full corps of clerks and nothing is
wanting that will contribute to the
convenience of the patrons of the
Sumter market.
To day the opening sale of the
second season will be he|d in both
houses, and that the sale viii be the
largest aud most successful yet held
was settled beyond question before
nightfall yesterday. for tobacco wag
ons had been arriving for several
hours and sufficient quantity Of the
weed was already on the floor to en-
sure big break The market opens
with the brightest prospects, and 1t is
confidently expected that the sales
this season vii! be double those Of
las. season. The corps of regular
buvers CD this market is as large as
that on any other market in the State,
and they represent The largest ex-
poriers aud manufacturers Of bright
tobacco ii America As several
rival concernS have representatives.
located here, The farmers may rest
assured that they viii receive the
highest market price for al tobacco
that they bring to this market
From the most reliable information
obtained during a recent visit to the
leading markets OF North Carolina
and Virginia we are Of the opinion
that the price Of tobacco will be
lower than last season The lower
prices are due to several causes );
principally the large surplus Of
bright stock still in lhe hands of
dealers III this country and Europe,
the disturbed financial condition and
the larger crop Of brights that will
be thrown Oh the market
1t is true that the severe drought
has cut the crop short, especially in
Virginia and the older bright districts
of North Carolina, aud that may tend
to raise prices. The tobacco farmers