The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-03-02
TIE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edeerton. Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.

NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.
A good deal has been printed of late
by local newspapers in the outlying to-
bacco sections of the state about the
proftableness of the tobacco crop.
While most of it is true as regards the
present crop much of alleged facts will
duobtless encourage inexperienced far
mers to engage in the culture of the
weed, only to be disappointed in the re-
suits. The following is only fair sam
pie of some of the items alluded to:
If the farmers of this vicinity who
grow tobacco do not get rich In few
years it will be their own fault The
crop is generally good, and the prices
paid by buyers are such that the grow
ers are very happy mortals when their
crops are delivered and they have re-
ceived their pay. For nearly year they
bank on their tobacco crop to keep them
in ready money, and although there is a
vast amount of labor required to get the
weed in condition to market, the amount
of money received is more than sufficient
to make up for the energy expended in
raising this crop.
Near Lodi there are scores Of farmers
who depend upon the tobacco crop as
means of livelihood, and besides making
a living many of them are becoming
wealthy, and add to their real estate
holding every year. When tobacco will
bring to the grower over 500 per acre it
would seem to the majority of farmers a
foolish waste of land to raise oats, corn,
ETC., to market The most successful to-
bacco raisers grow no more grain than
is necessary for their own use, and de-
vote their time wholly to the more pay
ing crop. 1t is noticeable fact that the
Norwegian farmer can do better with to-
bacco than the farmer of any other
nationality. 1t seems to be natural for
the SON of Norway to be successful with
the cvp than for the Yankee or German.
It's impossible to predict what the
future of the tobacco industry will be.
AS Rong, however, as the present provides
over 500 per acre for those who culti-
waite the plant, there is no worry about
the future.-Lodi Enterprise.
A surer way to swamp the tobacco
growing industry of our state could
scarcely be found than to publish broad
cast over the state such glowing induce
| ments to the general farmer.
Xxx
Another exchange however takes this
view of the case:
Now that deliveries are being made in
Wisconsin and growers paid cash for last
| seasons work, we find that many report
a weight of nearly ton to the acre.
Heavy crops of this kind will bring the
| growers between 500 and $3.50 per acre
and lighter crops proportionately less.
With SO satisfactory an income big
acreage will undoubtedly be planted this
year. 1t will be we'll for growers to bear
in mind, however, that it is seldom more
than two crops of superior quality are
raised in succession. Drouth, hail. in
sects or other causes cut into the heavy
yield and greatly reduce values. We
caution growers not to plant more than
they can care for we'll and properly
Neither should all the eggs be placed in
one basket; a diversity as to means of in
come is safer.
XIX
The situation in this state is different
from the tobacco growing localities of
New England where the land suitable
for tobacco culture is limited Here to-
bacco can be produced in almost every
county of a big state, while it is singu-
lar fact that at the present all the land
cultivated to tobacco is less than the
area of single township. But the N.
E. Homestead advises the growers to go
slow even during prosperous years and
pay as they 60. This is what he says:
These are certainly glorious days for
New England tobacco growers Be-
tween three and five million dollars will
poured into their laps this winter for the
tobacco crop grown in the Connecticut
and Housatonic valleys during 1899.
While congratulating them on this we'll
deserved success - especially after some
years of misfortune in this crop. The
Homestead also warns growers to make
the most of their success Remember
the panic that swept over the Connecti-
cut valley 20 years ago, and how the era
of extravaganza that was built up by
the high value of tobacco fell with a
crash, involving hundreds of farmers in
ruin. Let us profit by the experience,
let us pay our debts while we have the
money, let us put our farms in Al shape
but without undue expenditure for
fancy buildings Or extravaganza that |
will be drag on us in future. For as
sure as night follows day, depression is |
bound to come in this tobacco growing |
industry. In addition to all it's uncer- |
tainties heretofore is the added danger
of free leaf from the tropics, or at least |
of prodigious increase in production in |
the tropics. The wise tobacco planter |
recognizes in his heart the truth of what
is here said. He will govern himself ac-
cordingly, and get in such shape fnan-
clally that whether adversity or pros
perity continues in his specially, he will
be all right. If after paying your debts
and improving your farm to reasonable
degree, you have surplus above what
you need for working capital, don't
blow it in on mining speculations or
wildcat schemes, but salt it down in first
mortgages or equally safe and reliable
Investments that you can depend upon