The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-02-05
TOBACCO CULTURE.

The scarcity of Cuban tobacco, caused w t1s ~
surrecton on the island of Cuho has cofnpslle nn-
ufacturers of high grade TO look elsewhere 'sW
their supplies The fact that the entire stock o.
han tobacco in the markets will all be exhaasted III
from six to nine months and that even should the war
in Cuba cease it would take several years before the
industry could again be established, has filled the
manufacturers of fine cigars as well the smokers
Of the weed with alarm In their extremity they
have turned their attention to the State of Florida as
the only state in the Union that has the conditions re-
aured in soil and climate to grow tobacco that VIII
compare in texture flavor and aroma with the Cuban
product.
The convention of the National Tobacco Growers
Union which convened in Ocaa, Fla Jany 18th, was
largely attended by tobacco growers from thirteen
different states The different types of tobacco
grown in the United States the natural conditions OF
soil and climate as well the best methods OF grow
ing curing and marketing were fully discussed AL
this meeting papers We're read ana addresses de
yered by delegates from various portions of Florida
Extracts from these papers are herein printed and
respectfully presented for your careful consideration
Other reports from diverse points IN the state show
uniform success in the growth of fine tobacco,
Especial attention is called to the address OF Mr..
Medero, of Ocala, who is native Cuban OF hne III
tellgence and large experience in the growing, cur
ing and marketing of the Cuban product In this adj
dress he dwes largely the natural advantages of
Florida over Cuba showing that lands labor, fertlz
ers farming implements, lumber required for tobacco
barns and everything connected with the industry
much cheaper here than in Cuba.
He claims that no protection i'll the way of import
duty is necessary; and says he has smoked as fine
cigars made from Florida tobacco can be produced
from tobacco grown in the most favored spots of Cuba
In addition to the natural advantages recited we
have tariff of 35 cents pound for filters and 81
pound for wrappers which is more in itself than the
Cuban grower gets for his product This certainly is
enough to convince anyone of the large profits that
can and will accrue to the intelligent and successful
grower of tobacco in Florida.
DR. e. II. Jenkins, of the Connecticut Tobacco
Experiment Station and Prof Milton Whitney, of
the Agricultural Department at Washington, attended
the convention held here. These eminent specialists
have made extensive study and research in the to-
bacco industry especially as the conditions of soil
and climate necessary to the Improvement in quality
of the different types of tobacco grown in the United
States They freely expressed their opinions that the
lands surrounding Ocala met all the requirements es
sentia to the growth Of the finest grades of tobacco
for cigar wrappers and filters Quite a number of
extensive and successful growers of tobacco from
other states in attendance at above said conventions
sgnied their intention of going back to their homes
and arranging their business matters as speedily as
possible SO as to return and engage in the industry
here While there is grand opening here for the
small farmer If he has sufficient TO last him
through the fir .sseason work, there is far more
extensive opening for the enterprise large scale.