Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-14

1t was WiSconsin's turn in the leaf
market the past week. Not less, and
probably much more, than 10000 boxes
of 1900 Wisconsin moved into con-
sumption from the packers hands,
They were sold in blocks of from one
TO three thousand cases, and were
bought, with a single exception of l.
900, by manufacturers. A Philadel-
phia house that stands in the front
rank of Wisconsin packers sold over
five thousand boxes to manufacturers,
and a New York house sold 5000
boxes to a manufacturer; 1000 boxes
were sold to jobber and the balance
went off in smaller lots.
The prices naturally varied, bat it
can be safely stated that the bulk
sold above Ice. If manufacturers are
commencing to buy binder leaf in such
huge blocks at such high prices a few
things are proved thereby: Inc pros
rectiye scarcity of binder leaf, the
hopelessness of waiting for a fall in
prices, and that not all manufacturers
are being scared out of business. Ii
there is one thing certain as far as the
future is concerned, it is a veritable
famine in binder leaf, and those who
are holding back now in supplying
themselves for the needs of two years
will not only have to pay three, four
and probably as high as five cents
more for Wisconsin a few months
hence, but it will be positively impos-
sible for them to get any at all at any
price.
Wisconsin tobacco is in good de,
mand in the eastern markets and all
of the 1901 crop that comes through
the curing process all right will be
bought at a good figure. In many sec
tons the farmers report their crops as
curing out beyond their expectations,
The weather of the last few weeks has
been favorable to the curing of the
leaf, so that 1t was not much affected
by the hard freeze Of this week. Quite
a number of crops have been picked
up by local dealers who are taking
chance that it will come through the
curing process in fair shape. A num-
e's at from 10 to IL cents. This would
Indicate that the farmer that has
fair crop would get a good price for
it.
Although a large quantity of 1900
Wisconsin was sold in New York last
week, very little has been shipped out
of storage in this state. Most of the
New York sales were made On sample
and very little of the tobacco wac &C
tually moved. Some little trading is
going on among the dealers, who are
looking for some particular grade OF
goods to fill a special order, but out
side of that it is very quiet.
1t would probably be to the advan-
| tage of both grower and dealer in to-
| bacco to have defined more definitely
what constitutes damaged tobacco. Tine
experience of the last delivery season
when so much trouble and litigation
| developed is sufficient reason for this
action. It is safe 10 say that no rHles
[ laid down by a united action of the
| dealers can deprive any one of his
rights which q court Of law will pro
| lect, but at the same time Il it can be
mutually agreed what shall constitute
| damaged tobacco there would be less
trouble and litigation in the future.
When this understanding is accOm-
Diished then uniform contract for all
dealers to use would simplify matters
greatly. 1t should be insisted how
ever, that his contract be as free from
verbiage as possible, so plain that all
can understand, and fair in it's prOYis-
ions to all parties. After the growers
| have become acquainted with what
| they are expected to sign there would
| be less difficulty in securing their sig
natures to the contract than is now
experienced, if all buyers used the
same form Of instrument.