The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-03-22
THE
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
NOTE RO0R sKHTCHEs.

NOTE ROOR SKETCHES.
An interesting compilation has been
given the public by the report of the
Industrial Commission working under
authority of congress-, concerning the
cost of distributing various agricultural
products. The figures which the report
furnishes regarding the cost of market
ing the tobacco crop throws side light
upon the profits that packers are gen
orally supposed 10 make in the transac-
tion and the conclusion arrived at is
that they are very largely over estimated.
Lancaster County. Pa. is taken as
basis for making the showing regarding
cigar leaf and the cost Of a case of to-
bacco of 400 pounds as received from
the grower at IL cents per h., at the
end of the first year is $500. This in
cludes the case, labor and storage
Shrinkage, 1711s per cent. on 400 pounds
gives $50 pounds, net, or SlO.66 per lou
pounds, or 1923 cents per pound, for
which packer paid IL cents per pound.
There has, therefore, been an actual
expense or cost incurred by the packer
amounting to AZ per cent. on the price
paid the producer, without single cent
being allowed for anything but interest
on the case of tobacco. Ii the packer
sold at so per cent. advance on the price
paid the grower he would probably not
more than cover expenses, including IN
surance on buildings, depreciation, and
the like. It is further estimated that it
costs Sl.25 per case to market the tobac-
co lin New York or the expense of dis
tributing from farmer to market is 18
per cent.
*x*
Estimates of this kind are purely
mathematical. The packer assumes the
risk of case damage, decline in market
values and is largely speculator in
every sense of the work In applying
these figures to Wisconsin leaf it is
doubtless true that the expense of pack
ing is larger in this state than in Penn
sylvania. While the case may cost a
trifle less with u.s., the item of labor is
doubtless greater here, and the shrink
are of Wisconsin tobacco is usually
-. vier in our leaf. The transportation
charges to New York must be figured at
least double what they are from Lancas-
ter county. The case damage some sea-
sons is an important item and in some
instances last season reached above 10
per cent. on large packings. There are
deductions which eventually come out
of the profits of packers and when they
are computed each year brings the ac-
tual returns up on the investments of
tobacco dealers at sum much below
that usually attributed to them.
***
This subject may be old and of no in
terest, seemingly, to many growers. but
nevertheless it is of vital Importance to
tobacco, and must improve any and all
opportunities to reach that point. In
sprouting tobacco seed says the Western
Tobacco Journal, several days time can
be gained in getting plants fit to set by
carefully sprouting the seed. Put about
one tablespoonful of seed to each rod of
bed Tor bed required for plants to set an
acre) into six Or eight quart pan of fine
mold or rotton wood. 1t is better to be
sifted so as to take out all the Jumps
and pieces of wood. The seed should be
put to sprout week Or more before the
beds are expected to be in condition to
SOW. Keep it near the stove and moisten
every day with warm water, if it is de-
sired to hurry up the sprouting, as it is
often the case when spring advances
faster than expected. 1t is generally
better not to put all the seed to sprout
at once, but to fix several pans at inter
vaIs of three or four days. 1t is we'll to
stir the seed and rotten wood once or
twice a day after it begins to sprout,
which is noticed by the appearance of
little white specks through the dark rot
ten wood. In stirring the little sprouts
are prevented from growing together,
and the contents OF the pants more
evenly sprouted. The seed should be
sown in the bed before the sprouts get |
long enough to break off when they
have fairly started, and the mass is full |
of white specks, is the proper time, but
with care the seed can be held back
few days If the bed is not ready, and |
successful seeding often accomplished |
after the sprouts are nearly quarter of |
an inch long. When the bed is properly |
fitted, smooth and level, sprinkle the con- /
tents of the pan evenly over the ground. /
It can be evenly raked in with fine
rake Or stamped in by treading carefully |
on the bed. A bushel Of fine dirt we'll |
sprinkled over a large bed makes fine |
covering for the seed. When the seed is |
sown, and lightly covered as explained, |
sprinkle pretty freely, using milk warm
water and sprinkler with fine nozzle |
Do not put the water on any faster than |
it will soak away. For the first few days, |
if the weather is warm and the sun
shines brightly there is danger of young
,+c L. L L. IL.