The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-09-28
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton. = Wisconsin.
NOTE ROOK SKETCHES,


There are some indications that the
movement of buying the new crop will
soon become more general now. The
campaign in Vernon county has shifted
during the week into the Rio section
which was pretty thoroughly canvassed
for few days. Later buying has COM
menced in Rock and Dane counties and
quite number of choice selections con-
tracted for. The price so far has rang
ed about cents for wrapper and binder
grades at which figures growers seem
quite willing to accept. The opening
prices in the lower districts are some
what better than those of year ago,
though the quality of the sound tobaccos
of this seasons growth, are probably
enough better to make up the difference.
1t is an open question yet whether
enough buyers will JOIN the movement
to induce general buying of the crop,
as many of the large operators have not
as yet taken the field. The next few
weeks, however, will determine this mat
ter.
.*x*
Any information throwing light upon
the cause for black rot is of vital inter
est to the packers of tobacco. The ques-
tion came up in the recent meeting of
Lancaster Co. Tobacco Growers land a
report of the discussion is as follows:
President Herr then said that the ques-
tion of black rot is one of the most i'm
portant that can interest either growers
or packers The latter are again en-
c9untering the old rouble, great deal
OF rot having been developed by the
sampling now going on. He wished the
society to take up the question and dis
cuss it. Captain Bricker said black rot
and mold are the result of certain condi-
tions. A dozen remedies are suggested,
and there does not seem to be one that
reaches the question. All that seems to
be certain is that we have not hit upon
the right solution of the question. He
did not believe anySof the theories in
vogue. He had his own, but he did not
know whether he was right. He thought
the cause was a germ, of whose opera
tions we aresyet ignorant. He, believed
we were growing these germs by our
manner of housing the tobacco. Cellars
are full of mold, which multiplies rapid
ly and quickly. contaminates everything
with which it comes in contact. This is
done every year, and, instead of doing
anything to get rid of the trouble
we are simply propagating. DR.. Frear,
of State College, said he believed that
the course indicated by Mr.. Bricker was
the right one. The process of curing is
merely the dyeing of the leaf. The pro
cess in itself is natural and produces no
harm. But when we come to the sweat
ing process the conditions are changed.
The process induces new conditions, and
it is here the trouble is developed. He
spoke of an experimenter who looked to
bacteria as the cause of mold and black
rot, but he found there were no bacteria
present during the sweating process,
they could not produce
those diseases. The changes produced
in tobacco in fermentation are caused by
what scientists call ferments. The same
put ordinary bacteria into
tobacco leaves, and they died. But there
may be other kinds of bacteria that are
not killed by the nicotine in tobacco. If
the mold germs cannot get access to to-
bacco, it is very certain there will be
none on it after it is cured. But these
germs often get access to tobacco while
it is being handled, and then the bad re-
suits follow. The bulk process is en-
ployed in Cuba and In Europe. He al
luded to the method employed by Prof.
Floyd as having given good results. In
this method the temperature seldom
goes beyond 80 degrees, and no black rot
or mold was developed. One or two ex-
periments are hardly sufficient to decide
these things. The outlook, however, is
good, and we may reach solution of the
question. He was not ready to offer any
solution of the question.
Perhaps no one can, but we seem to be
getting nearer the cause of the
trouble. Lime was one of the best rem
edies for mold Birthstone also is good
remedy, and the fumes can be made to
reach every crevice.
Xxx
The internal revenue department has
again made rules on question arising in
one of the tobacco growing states relat-
ng to the civil and criminal liability of
persons who go from farm to farm and
ouy leaf tobacco, subsequently placing it |
IN public Or private warehouse floors for |
'esale, it was advised that the crowning |
definition of dealer in leaf tobacco was
determined by paragraph 6 of section
',244, Revised Statutes, which provides
hat "every person shall be regarded as a
lealer in leaf tobacco whose business it |
s, for himself or on commission, to sell,
II offer for sale, or consign for sale on
commission, leaf tobacco and that sec
ion SO of the act of August 28, 1894, pre-
cribed that "every person shall be re-
,arded as manufacturer of tobacco who
ellis directly to consumers, or to persons
ther than duly registered dealers in leaf
obacco, or duly registered manufacture
RS of tobacco or cigars, or to persons
vho purchase leaf tobacco in packages
or export, except that farmers and grow