The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-12
MONEY IN TOBACCO.
SOUTH CAROLINA FARMERS ARE
GETTING RICH PLANTING 1T.
Figures Showing PrOfts-Practical
Results Obtained by Wide Awake
Farmers in Eastern North and
south Carolina.

KeSults ODtaiheu ny WINE A"ahAO
Farmers in Eastern North and
south Carolina.
From the Beaufort Gazette.
Up to a few years ago it was thought
that cotton was the only crop that could
be prohtably grown as a money crop in
this state, but the experiments with to-
bacco in the eastern part of the state has
completely exploded that idea in that Sec
ton. The statement can be safely made
without fear of being disputed that no
crop in the South has ever proven SO
profitable, all things considered, as tobac"
CO in the eastern section of South Carolina.
If you doubt this statement, ask the peo-
pie of Darlington, Florence, Marion, Sum-
ter, Marlboro and other counties in this
states where tobacco is grown A few
years ago experiments were made with
such wonderful results that South Caro-
lima now grows millions of pounds of to-
bacco Of the finest leaf. Tobacco growing
in these sections has changed the condi-
ton Of the people to a wonderful degree.
Before the advent of tobacco the planta-
to their full value, and the farmers, as a
rule. owed more than they were able to
pay. All business with the planters was
done on the credit system, with all the
evils which that system means in the
South. But tobacco came as a harbinger
of better days, and from its mystic leaves
fell the shekels which have made the once
impoverished planters independent.
In dealing with the question of money
making from tobacco culture, 1t is the aiIn
of the writer to quote examples showing
the amount of tobacco grown to the acre,
and also the price for which is sold. To
better understand such figures it is well to
INQUIRE at the outset as to the actual cost
of producing and curing tobacco per acre.
Some years ago the writer asked the
question of twenty leading tobacco grow
ers as to the probable cost per acre and
the average cost was placed at $3.50 per
acre. Some estimates were as high as
$4S others fell considerably below 800 A
noted club of tobacco men in the central
part OF North Carolina made a study of
this question through a number of years,
and they placed the average at $3S per
acre. To show how profitable tobacco has
become we beg leave 20 give the names
and postofiice addresses of leading plant
reader may verify every statement we
make
Twelve years ago not pound Of tobac-
CO was grown i'm the state for shipment
while the crop planted this year it is esti-
mated, will yield 100000 pounds.
The average yield per acre in South Car
DINA is from 800 to 1900 pounds, while
in the colder sections of Virginia and
North Carolina the average is below 800
pounds per acre. AS in Eastern North
Carolina, so here the coming of tobacco
has changed the conditions of the people
placed them on an independent footing
and enabled them to buy for cash instead
Of doing business on the credit system.
one of the most remarkable examples f.
that of Capt Paul White of Riverdale.
in Florence county. On thirty acres OF
tobacco he made a clean profit of 81. 400
besides raising an abundance Of home sup
plies Capt White Is from Massachusetts
He came to South Carolina several years
ago, and during the last five years has