The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-08
WHY NOT NORTH CAR0LINA9

WHY NUT NORTH CAROLINA?
Some few days ago This paper pub
lished an interview had with MIR. Philip
A. Fontaine, of Person county, telling OF
an experiment made in the growing of
Havana tobacco in that county.
His remarks at that time are recalled
in connection with an announcement just
made, by Secretary Wilson, of the United
States Department of Agriculture that he
will have experts from his Department to
search over the United States and it's
possessions for soil and conditions favor
able to the cultivation of filler tobacco
of the kind that is now raised in Cuba,
so as to raise, if it can be done, all the
filler tobacco used in this country within
our own territory.
In giving the figures paid out for tobac-
co he SIS this country is paying out
about eight million year for filler tobac-
co, which largely comes from Cuba, and
three one one-half millions for wrappers.
He states that conditions of soil and
temperature have already been found for
the culture of wrapper tobacco in the
United States, and adds that the ex-
perts are now seeking, for the first
time, soils adaptable to the cultivation
of the fine filler product. We have parts
of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas selected
for the Investigations of our experts, and
land for similar purposes will be selected
in all our new island possessions, with
view to ascertaining how and under
what conditions the filler product eau lie
built up here
It viii be noted that Secretary Wilson
states that Pennsylvania, Ohio and feXa
| are the places selected in this country
for his experiments These experiments,
we judge, will relate particularly to the
raising of tobacco which will not be al
imitation of the Cuban import 6ut equal
to it in every way. To obtain this it will
be necessary to find conditions of soil and
/ temperature which are 'c'l ali tours With
that found in Cuba where the selected
grades of tobacco are raised. In North
Carolina we believe thai there are points
where everyone of he needed conditions
can be realized in the successful growth
Of the tobacco.
Here is what Mr.. Fontaine said about
| his experiment in Person county
Il believe that Havana tobacco can be
grown as successfully in North Carolina
as in Pennsylvania. Connecticut and for
| eign countries. | spent ten months in
| Cuba and much time in Florida studying
| the culture of tobacco, with the view of
| growing this quality of tobacco in North
| Carolina. This year l have made about
| 400 pounds of Havana tobacco in Person
| county. The growth of the weed was
| the same as in Cuba. | secured my seed
| from Havana"
While in Raleigh Mr.. Fontaine exhibit
| ted some magnificent samples of Cuban
| tobacco grown in Person county, whose
| flavor and burning qualities manufacture
ers and experts pronounced superior tC
any heretofore grown in this country.
why not nave secretary wilson 10 make
| some of his experiments in North Caro-
| lima: The experience OF Mr.. Fontaine is
certainly worth bringing to his attention
and this can be done by the Boar1 Of
| Agriculture. The trial is worth more
| than the effort and we are led to believe
| that with a fair test it, will te found
that in this State there can be prodr led
| tobacco equal to any III the world.
Goldsboro has taken step forward But