The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-10-12
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.

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Nowhere in the cigar leaf growing
states has the movement in new crop
been so extensive as in Wisconsin up to
the present time. Even in New Eng
land, where buying on the poles or in
the fields is a common practice, there is
nowhere near as large proportion of
the crop sold to date as in our own state.
In New York state but little of the crop
is sold, and in Pennsylvania and Ohio
the market for the 1900 crop has not
opened as yet. So the buying of Wis
consin leaf is not only ahead of other
states, but it is notable fact that it is
long years since October finds SO large
proportion of the crop contracted for.
There is little question but what the
prospective shortage Of desirable binder
leaf in the market is the real incentive
for the early movement in this state.
The crop was grown under conditions
that generally produce an excellent
quality of Wisconsin leaf. So far as the
curing had gone it bore out the expecta-
tions of the packers, that the crop would
be leafy, thin and bright colors. Barring
the damage, they were confident the
crop would answer the usual require
ments of the binder trade, and general
scramble to control choice selections en-
sued. The price too, is now pretty thor
Ioughly established, and it is a question
whether late buyers in the field will be
able to get together packing at figures
less than those earlier in the movement,
when quality is also considered.
*x*
One hears it frequently stated among
dealers that whenever Wisconsin leaf
can be packed to cost not to exceed 10
cents it is always a pretty safe invest
ment; at any rate, the chances for heavy
losses is not great, but when the price
get above that figure there is rarely
mGh money in the speculation. just
,rsihether the present crop can. be put up
at prices within this limit is a little
doubtful. Some dealers are already fig
uring on from 10 to 20 per cent. of rust
| and shed burn in their purchases. Of
! course leaf of these imperfections is not
| merchantable and they do not intend to
received damaged tobacco at current
! prices, but even with the utmost pre-
| caution it' is evident they expect to find
more or less leaf in crops that cannot be
| cased in the asserting. This view of
| the case, however, ought not to be taken
| by the grower as an excuse to neglect to
perform his part of the contract in strip
| ping. They will certainly be expected to
| keep out the damaged tobacco which all
contracts invariably calls for. Owing
to the prices that have been paid for
the present crop, it is quite likely that
buyers will insist upon the strict per
formanoe of the agreement this year, and
the farmer will prevent trouble at re-
ceiving time by attempting to deliver
only anerchantable goods.
***
A e0ncensus of opionion of dealers is
| that the present crop ought not to be
| taken from the curing sheds for some
time yet, however we'll cured the tobacco
| may be. The crop seems unusually sus-
eeptible to moisture and comes into case
easily. 1t was grown in season of more
than the average moisture and cured
during a rainy fall and the leaf un-
questionably carries more than the
usual moisture To make it safe crop
to handle packers believe it should re-
main in the sheds until the stalk and
stem is thoroughly dried out. At strip
ping time even the growers should use
the utmost care that they do not re-
mowe their tobacco in too high case. A
light thin leaf can be easily overloaded
with moisture and fear of wet tobacco is
the one thing most dealers dread. To
take down in light case will be the safest
plan to pursue this year. The '98 crop,
which came down in light case, proved
the most satisfactory crop after passing
through the sweat, the state has pro-
duced in years, and the 1900 crop resem-
bies in SO many respects that the deal
ers hope to see it delivered in a similar
condition. In fact, the good reputation
for Wisconsin leaf which means money
to the growers, is made through the con-
dition the tobacco is offered the trade
year hence. 1t is not out of place now.
to call attention to the dangers of per
mitting the present crop to come off the
poles in too high case.
Patents Granted.
List of Patents granted to citizens of
Wisconsin for the week ending Oct. 2,
reported expressly for The Reporter