The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-15

their stun In by private conveyance, put
the large bulk OF tobacco handled In all
the markets Is shipped by rail.
IT has been said. too. that tho price of
leaf tobacco Is so low that farmers can
not prohtaby produce II. We do not be-
lieve that statement. and in this connec-
ton we are greatly interested In an ar
ucle from the Beaufort Gazette
IN regard 10 the tobacco industry IN
South Carolina. The Gazette says that
tho farmers OF South Carolina have
turned their attention 10 tobacco be-
cause they have found by experiment
It pays better than any other crop. 1.-THE
statement can be safely made" it goes
on. without fear OF being disputed. that
no crop IN the South has ever proven so
profitable. all things being considered,
as tobacco in the eastern section OF South
Carolina"
IF you doubt this statement, ask the
people OF Darlington. Florence, Marion,
Sumter. Marlboro and other counties tn
this State 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-
tons were mortgaged, and in many cases
TO their fun value and the farmers. as a
rule. owed more than they were able to
pay. All business with the planters was
on no xxff
evils which that system means in the
South. But tobacco came as a harbinger
OF better days, and from ts mystic leaves
fell the sheckels which have made the
once Impoverished planters independent.
in dealing with the question Of money
making from tobacco culture. II Is the
aim of the writer To quote examples show
ing the amuont of tobacco grown 20 the
acre. and also the price for which IL is
sold. To better understand such figures
II is well 10 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 lead
ing tobacco growers as TO the probable
cost per acre. and the average cost was
placed at $3.50 per acre. Some estimates
were as high as S4S. others fell consid-
erably below 500 noted club Of tobacco
lima made n study OF this question
through a number OF years. and they
placed the average at SIS per acre. To
show how profitable tobacco has become
we beg leave 10 give the names and
postofice addresses Of leading planters in
different sections. so that the reader may
verify every statement we make.
Twelve years ago not a pound OF to-
bacco was grown IN the State for ship
ment while the crop planted this year.
1t is estimated, viii yield 100000
pounds"
To substantiate these statements. results
furnished by a number Of farmers are
published. showing in each case the SPLEEN
did profits on their respective tobacco
crops Siip-shod farming never pays any
where no matter what sort OF crop is
planted. but the farmers IN the tobacco
regions Of Virginia and North and South
Carolina who make first class article OF
tobacco at the lowest possible cost will
invariably reap a rich harvest and put
money in their pockets
There is no question about the raw ma
toriaI There is an abundance of 1t and
the demand for bright tobacco is growing
an the while AS We said in yesterdays
paper I'm this connection, a new market
for Virginia brights has been opened up
IN Japan, and promises to develop eHor-
mously within the next several years.
There IS also some demand for bright to-
bacco I'm China. and as China Is disposed
TO initiate Japan. there is good reasons
TO believe that we shall soon be ship
ping millions Of pounds Of bright leaf
20 the Celestials.
Talking about the South Carolina to-
bacco, farmers in that State market
their tobacco I'm Danville, Winston, and
other towns within one hundred and fifty
miles Of Richmond. When this tobacco
is once loaded on the train it can be
brought 10 Richmond almost as cheaply
as to the interior markets. and If we will
only establish a loose market here and
pay ruling prices. we shall certainly get
our share Of the loose leaf trade.
We confess that we have sometimes
felt discouraged, but the movement which
has now been inaugurated renews our
hope We sincerely trust that 1t may
have abundant success