Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-25
Adjutant-General and Chief of stan
TOBACCO AND SUGAR BEETs.
Colonel Whitehead Gives Some In
teresting Extracts to Va. Farmers.

Richmond, Va. April II, 1871.
| To the Editor of the Dspatch:
AS 1 am pressed daily for informa-
ton about Cuban tobacco and sugar
beet culture, soil, etc, etc., / think you
can interest your country readers, and
l can benefit some Of them If 1 Gull out
and give published extracts from the
various sources OF information L re-
ceive on these subjects. Southwest
Georgia has, for a few years, Teen ex-
perimenting In the production of cigar
tobacco from Cuban seed, following in
the wake of the Gadsden county (fla.)
planters. I have received through a
Virginia tobacco dealer, from a Georgia
source. perfectly reliable. interested, and
successful i'm producing Sumatra and
Cuban tobacco, some literature and sta
tistics, from which L make extracts, and
l do this the more confidently, remem-
bering that Georgia is the most ener-
getic. pushing. shrewd. and successful
Southern State, and has earned fairly
the title, The Empire State of the
SOUTH
Below are given the extracts:
Decatur county, Southwest Georgia.
near the Florida line-The general
advantages of this district may be sum-
med up almost in the words OF our adj
yertisement to which you have replied
The famous old "speckled leaf" wrap
per was grown here, and here only, for
thirty years before the war; Cuba for
the past twenty years, and Sumatra for
three years with great success. Besides
wrappers, the finest Favored Cuba
filler is produced. Five hundred acres
were planted in 1896 by one concern.
ana 50 acres by another. Yield up
TO lOoO pounds, and even more per acre;
1856 crop all sold; price. 10 to 40 cents.
a portion of this belt-embraclng
Roseland-is remarkable as tobacco
land. Before the war it produced large
ly the 'speckled wrapper tobacco.
Large fortunes were made in raising
this "old Florida leaf" over a thou
sand pounds being raised per acre. Tim
bered land was often rented for this
purpose at so per acre, yearly-the rent
er clearing and fencing at his own cost.
Within twenty years it has been found
that tho climate and soil of this limi-
ted belt are remarkably favorable for
growing Cuoa tobacco, both wrappers
and filters; but later experience having
shown that the conditions are remark
ably favorable for Sumatra wrappers,
this variety is now also largely and
increasingly cultivated. Two important
tobacco frms-the owl Cigar Com
pany" (Stratton az Storm ana A. Cohen
q Co.-both Of New York, have bought
extensive plantations, and raised large
crops of Sumatra and Cuba tobacco.
Last year these two firms planted
over 1900 acres in tobacco. The latter
firm have also bought very largely, and
are now packing. Neigboring farmers
have received from 500 10 500 an acre
for tobacco. The best has brought Al
cents per pound, and next years crop
could have November Q, 1866 been con-
tracted at % cents per pound as soon
as cured. which is probably equal to
80 cents. If thoroughly driel. The
northern quarter of Roseland planta-
ton is fiat. pIney woods" The rest
Is sandy, red clay hills. with large in
termedIate, well watered bottom and
rich hammock land" so suitable for
tobacco. a large part is virgin forest.
offering plenty of new ground" by
many thought desirable for both guam
tity and quality Of tobacco.
For an acre OF cigar tobacco the whole
cost Except superintendent for labor,
fertilizer. and all expenses does not ex-
,eed s35 to $50. The horses. besides tend
ng the tobacco. raise more than enough
.orn and fodder to feed themselves. To-
1acco Is usually raised In connection with
ether crops. as cotton, corn. sugar cane.
ice oats. sweet potatoes. and peanuts for |
hogs. etc.
The cambridge Democrat OF Oanuary q,
S97. contains four statements OF farmers |
Who grew tobacco In 1896. from which the
GLOWING Is condensed:
q. T.. Wood made on two acres 1000 '