The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-08-30
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton. Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.

NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.
The buying of the tobacco crop in the
fields while but little is yet harvested
and much of it not matured is subject
of good deal of comment among the
trade and the general verdict is that it
is far too risky an experiment to long
prevail. Everyone can recall the expert
ence of year ago and what happened
when crop contracted for in the fields
so damaged in the cure that an almost
endless amount of trouble and litigation
ensued when the time for delivery of the
tobacco came. 1t was thought at that
time that neither the buyer or farmer
would care to repeat these distasteful
proceedings. And yet the lesson of
short year ago is seemingly forgotten.
Buyers have been riding the growing
districts with contracts in hand and
growers have been disposing of their to-
bacco the same as though the history of
last season had not been written. The
growers might possibly be forgiven for
their part of the transaction, for some
very attractive prices are offered for in
different tobacco, and many of the OBJ
jectionable features of the usual con-
tracts omitted. You can usually trust
the experienced grower to look out for
his interests. But the tobacco dealers
who take long chances on speculations of
this character are what causes the most
comment among the trade. He is a
party, though who may not need sympa-
thy in his error or instruction regarding
business, and we leave him to his fate.
Xxx
The steady increase, year by year, in
the production of cigars is convincing
evidence, says the Homestead, that the
situation of the market is such that all
choice crops of domestic cigar leaf to-
bacco should bring good price. The
output of cigars, snuff and manufactured
tobacco during the year ending June 30,
has been greatly in excess of the previ-
Gus year and there has also been an
enormous output of cigarettes. AS re-
suit, packers warehouses are now carry
ing the smallest stocks they have had
for years, and of what is for sale very lit
tie of wrapper grades is left. Choice do
mestic wrappers and binders have been
scarce or held very high for some months
and the ruling prices for other binders
and filters have been far above the aver
age run of prices of recent previous
years. Because of shortage in desirable
wrapper goods, importations of Sumatra
have increased and the foreign wrapper
is being sold at high prices. Under these
conditions growers should give crops at
this critical period the best of care; if this
is done, prices will undoubtedly be offered
that will allow handsome margin on
the crop. -..--
***
w. f. Andrass of East Hartford fur
nishes the following timely suggestions
regarding the harvest of the new crop:
The time is now at hand for the most
laborious part of the tobacco growers
work. When the crop is securely har-
vested much of the anxiety attending
the marketing of the crop is removed
and risk reduced to the minimum. Un-
der favorable conditions this part of the
smoothly. But in every case and every
season there are certain things to be OBJ
served and ways to be followed that only
the Judgment and experience of the
grower can determine 1t is said that
there are never two crops grown alike,
so varied and subtle are the conditions
that govern the different seasons.
Very much of the final success of the !
crop depends upon the intelligent care |
and attention applied to this stage of the |
game, that covers in it's various phases |
the greater part of the year. The remov-
ing of the crop from the fields to the |
buildings is process that requires, per-
haps, the most care and involves the |
greatest labor of any part of the pro- |
ceedings, and on this depends much of |
the ultimate success. Besides the great |
danger of breakage in rough handling, |
there is always the liability of sunburn |
Or overheating while the plants are wilt |
ing on the ground. Crowding the plants |
together on the frames or wagons, es-
pecially when only part wilted, bruises
the leaves, causing discoloration and |
spots when cured. The massing of too
much bulk on the wagons in carting to
the buildings, allowing the lath to be
crowded together and to remain too long,
when wet with dew or rain,
which frequently causes the incipient
stage of pole sweat-these and many
other details must be attended to and
avoided as much as possible.
Tobacco should be lathed as soon as
sufficiently wilted to handle without
breakage, then carried to the willing
frames, where it should remain, if the
weather is clear for a number of hours
to insure thorough willing and avoid
breakage in passing up to high tiers in
the sheds Extremely hot sun or brisk
winds will materially damage the outside
plants during this time if not protected
when necessary by curtain or burlap.
In very large tobacco five plants to the
lath is deemed sufficient, yet nearly every
grower puts on six; some put on seven
when handicapped for space. The aver
age grower intends to hang the lath nine
inches apart, yet some say eight is
enough. Here is where thorough wilt
ing in the field or in the frames comes in