The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-05
TOBACCO GROWN UNDER CLOTH

An experiment in the growing of tobac-
co is, now being tried in the tobacco dis
tricts of Massachusetts and Connecticut
to determine whether or not it pays to
raise tobacco as an exotic under cloth
but less valuable growth in more natural
conditions. There have been about two
acres Of Havana seed tobacco raised
under cloth in Hatfield, Mass. this year.
But it is not yet fully harvested, and the
market value depends quite as much upon
the success gained in preparing the leaf
for the market as in raising it,
1t is said that an offer of so cents a
pound in bulk has been made the farmer
who is making the experiment. If this
be true, it would seem that the price is
sufficiently high to meet the extra cost
greater difficulties of preparing this to-
bacco for market are successfully met.
Tobacco raised under cloth is not har-
vested by. cutting the stalk. 1t is said
that It grows to greater height and de-
velops from half dozen to dozen more
leaves than outside tobacco. The field
is harvested three or four times, the
lower leaves being taken each time. The
curing of the leaves separated from the
stalk requires a more careful and more
expensive process When it is known how
we'll this can be managed and at what
COST and whether there will be a still
greater difference in price than above
mentioned, then the Massachusetts man
will have made a definite contribution to
this new idea of tobacco culture. Until
these facts are established the raising OF
tobacco under cloth must be regarded in
the light of raising blooded stock. There
have the means and the skill to properly
conduct an enterprise of the kind, but
there is just now risk of heavy loss.
which people of more moderate means
cannot afford to take.
Touching this experiment a correspond
ent of the Springfield Republican writes:
1.-The final triumph of forced tobacco
raising lif it succeeds) will be the rails
ing of Sumatra seed-leaf. There is only
one man in this section who has VEN
tured upon practical demonstration OF
this more intricate phase Of the problem.
He is Lemuel F. Graves, of East Whate-
ly, who has three-Quarters of an acre OF
Sumatra tobacco under cloth. His crop
promises good results. party of Hat
field, Mass, growers recently visited by
invitation the tents of Ariel Nicholson
at Tariffville, CT. Judging by the size
of the venture at that place and other
Connecticut towns, Connecticut growers
seem to consider that the profitable grow
ing of tobacco under cloth is established
beyond doubt. The word tent" hardly
gives fair impression of the scene at
forded by the extensive operations Of Mr..
Nicholson. The tents of any one OF the
numerous Largest shows on earth
would hardly be considered a mammoth
display compared to a tent nine acres in
extent Mr.. Nicholson has two COM
plete Enclosures of this area formed by
covering framework at the top and
sides with $4,000 yards of cheesecloth.
The frame consists of posts of the re-
quired hight. connected at the top with
strips of wood to which the cheesecloth
is nailed.
1T may be fairly assumed that it was
with the intense feeling of interest of a
boy at a circus that the substantial citi-
ell h. I;<
Tariffville to view the experiment which
might indicate the possibility for them
and their fellow-townsmen to gain thous-
ands of dollars in increased profits every
year. They saw two nine-acre tracts OF
perfect tobacco, every plant extending
nine feet in height to the top of the tent,
and bearing fine-veined leaves with a
remarkable proportion Of wrapping sur
face. The Hatfield men came home
thoughtful Wrappers are the product
which the Connecticut valley grower
aims to secure. If he raises anything
else it is because he has hitherto known
of no way to produce plant that bears
good wrapper leaves exclusively, ant
leaves 2 hat will cut up like we'll
selected piece of drygoods without waste
But the Connecticut growers say that 81
per cent of tho Sumatra leaves undel
cloth are wrapper leaves and there is al
extremely small amount of waste in the
individual leaf They evidently have
faith in their crop because some of them
have refused $3.50 pound, in view Of
the fact that the duty alone on Sumatrs
seed-leaf is about s1.S5''
The Hanna presidential boom is amon