The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-12-23
COL. Cunningham To
TOBACCO GROCERS
Advantages in the East for
Growing Bright Tobacco.
SOME WORDS OF WISDOM
We Need Larger Home Market. The Need
Of Developing ihe Wonderful Natural Re-
sources of the South. immigration
Is What Is Wanted.

Is What Is Wanted.
the Tobacco Growers Association, began |
hi. address by saying:
Il am gratiied to see the interest |
manifested in our association. The con-
sderation of important matters, by wise !
and experienced men is always produc- |
tive of much good, and will prove to be |
Of great benefit to all concerned. Great
results cannot be achieved at once. and
We must be satisfied to advance step by
steD"
Men who are resolved to find way
for themselves, Will always find oppor-
tunites enough. and if they do not lay
ready to their hands they will make
them
some one asked Opie, by what Won
derful process he mixed his colors. I
mix them With my brains, sir was his
reply. 1t is the same with the farmer;
he must work with his brains and not
say that all OF his crop failures are due
10 freshets and droughts and too much
grass"
Continuing. Col Cunningham spoke as
follows:
some years ago | visited Wilson and
Rocky Mount and l remember to have
said to some of nv friends with whom
7 examined their farms, that l thought
the lands Of that section were we'll
suited to the growth OF fine yellow to-
bacco. and time has shown that there is
he
farmers Of Eastern North Carolina. Be
cause of this tobacco markets have
sprung up in almost every county.
In the Piedmont belt. in which l live,
the bright yellow tobacco was grown al
most exclusively for many years, but its
growth has gradually extended into other
parts Of North Carolina and is now cul-
uyated to some extent by farmers in
other States
You will do we'll not to make the
mistake which so many of the people in
my section made. There was a time
when yellow tobacco sold for twenty five
dollars, per hundred pounds, and fire.
queutIy a farmer would average this sum
for his entire crop and often times more
There were some who acted wisely and
saved their money, while others amid
the excitement abandoned the wise policy
OF raising their supplies at home, and
bought what they needed from the North
and the West. The few who kept their
lands in q high state of cultivation
were economical and saved their money,
are in good circumstances today. But on
the other hand those who adopted the
one crop system, depended upon com
meFcIal fertilizers, and neglected their
lands. are today lamenting their condi-
fIGN
tu1iGcs. The. people of Eastern North
Carolina, should profit by their experience
and avoid repeating the mistake of their
friends in the old tobacco belt.
The tobacco acreage in the Piedmont
boit IS decreasing and necessarily So |
know of counties where the best tobac-
90 lands are found and where the people
1oalshed and prospered as never be-
'"fr. where the farmers are now COM
IeA0d to cultivate less tobacco. be-
cause they have cut down their forests,
and this because tobacco farm re-
f1iros quantity OF wood for fuel and for
'ofIng tobacco. The majority did not
lahe the proper care of their lands and
wasted their timber. and now they are
H'l In position to plant as largely as
"ay formerly did. Because of this there
are many who are leaving the old to-
r' tpunI1eS lot Inc OppOI IuIiIleS oil
ioidod in the Eastern counties are far
more favorable to them to support their
-aHiiileS and to make money.
Ihose who propose to change their
present method of farming and who wish
10 engage in the cultivation of tobacco,
"a1 best make up their minds to move
slowly. because there is no crop much
subject to heavy losses as the tobacco
crop
1t requires skill and experience to
make line yellow tobacco. and | desire to
',aPfess upon you some cardinal points,
"'ieh will be worthy of your careful con-
..'eFation and study. These are: First,
'a' burning of plant beds; second, the
PREPARATION of the soil; third, manurtng;
-'liih, planting; fifth. cultivation; sixth,
-'i'IhS; seventh, topping.
In line with these let me call your
"ll'htlon TO some necessities. Worm1ng
Gnu auckering apply to all tobacco, and
'S work Is absolutely necessary to be
ioHghly done, to make a good crop.
tobacco plant thrives best in deep
'l prepared soil and the land should
'"lizer. 1t is best to falloW old lana
'p' IN the fall or early winter. that
' HoSt may pulverize lie. Good prepard
'N Is half cultivation and the tobacco
7h'eF should not stop until the lana
" 'h proper condition. The selection u!
EAA1 n n