The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-08
TO DRAW HEAVILY
ON VIRGINIA CROPS
A Brisk Trade With High Prices
Will Prevail Here.

some 10 or so per cent. OF that OF last
year. and that Virginia may look for
heavy drafts upon her supply OF the weed
This will mean high prices here and
generally brisk trade, particularly IN
lugs
AS In Virginia. two varieties OF tobac-
CO are raised In the West-dark and
bright or burleys The dark tobacco is OF
a grade corresponding with Tugs here AMI
is used largely by exporters, here and
elsewheree; by the rigie countries, and
by the American Snuff Company. The
shortage is In the dark belt. Two let
tiers were received here Thursday from
Clarksviile Tenn, in the center OF the
dark section of the West. and both made
the same statement-that the crop will be
only from so to 50 per cent. Of that OF
last year, which was itself an of sea-
son. One OF the correspondents says:
THE Western dark crop is estimated at
50 to IS per cent. OF last years crop. The
season was, from the very start. unfav-
oranle. and the frost somewhat back-capp-
ed the climax in that it caused lot of
tobacco to be cut green Another prom
inent tobaconist makes practically the
same statement and adds: "a Bremen
house here thinks that dark Jugs will sell
at IL to s cents here next spring"
The significance Of these statements
IL apparent to all tobacco men. The
West is short on dark tobacco and IN
Virginia a fuller crop than last years
has been raised. Hence those who look
to the West for supplies will be forced
to turn to Virginia during the season now
just opening and the result locally will
be big squirt in prices. Unusually brisk
trading In Tugs is expected. The Amer
lean Snuff Company will have to buy
heavily here and the foreign reggie coun-
tries Austria, Italy. and the others
will draw more than ever on the Old Do
minion.
This Is one feature Of the new tobacco
season which though 1t has Just devel-
c7ed IS exciting particular interest IN
the local trade. Warehousemen are
highly pleased and see bright times In
sight. But even apart from this, there is
every prospect that during the coming
months tobacco will be on a steady boom
in the State. Several indications from
different directions point to such con-
cusion.
N the first place the dark crop In Vlr-
einia Will be at least one-fourth larger
than that Of last year. High prices IN
the past gave the farmers lesson LOT
the future and many set OUT 70 r:.'se
large crops and reap the rich harvest held
ont TO them. This increase will be APP
narent on the Richmond MARKET as well
rs in other portions Of the State Dur
ing the past year about ZOO. 600 pounds
Of loose tobacco were handled mere oLr-
ing the coming season the recelptS VIII
foot up at least 100000 an lncease or
nearly 100000. In othr words the quaint
ity of the weed marketed mere Will pc
larger than for several years back.
The quality OF the tooa,co vii! also be
Of a higher order. The dark. fired stuff
is gradually being RELOCATED to the rear
and sun or ar cured Is being subru-
tuted It is probable that a larger por-
ton Of the crop will be sun-cured this
year than ever before
Again there is every indication that
prices will be sky-high in all lines II
is not seen how they could we'll 30 be-
yond those OF last year, which was
record breaker. but there are many who
believe they will. Lugs will. Of course.
be in great demand, for the reason set
forth above Other varieties will not
lag During the past "eeae :he nrst
CT the new crop has been showing up
and from the start 1t sold WELL though
this vanguard Of the CROP was OF rath-
err saggy and disreputable character.
The amalgamation OF the Imperial and
the American Will hardly affect the
prices at least not this season Both
of these concerns. as well as the several
branches of the Consolidated Tobacco
Company itself. are compelled to have
a certain amount Of tobacco and though
working under Community of interest
arrangements, they Will not hesitate to
bid against each other.
A summary OF the crop conditions and
the outlook for the new season Is given
in the current issue Of the Southern
Tobaccon;st of this city, as follows:
Our tobacco crop lis near about all
right It has In the first place natured
gradually to enable farmers not to
hurry cutting and curing it. It has had
quite the right kind OF weather to ripen
it, such as heavy dews to thtcken 1t,
with the warmth of the days In Sep
TENDER only somewhat deficient In length
Of heat as mornings were very cool.
as well as evenings and night Planters
have had time to save prinings, too,
that sell for enough to pay for eood
part Of the labor in saving the crop
The weight Of tobacco will make up
largely for the lack OF area planted. and
36nally. prices promise to be generally
rood. II not absolutely higher. It 10
nrobable that IS per cent. Of the dark
iron Of Virginia will be cut by the time
#thts Ia read The weather IL now ap-
nnrently settled warmer, and late to-
hacco ts therefore improving quite rapid
IL and hence the crop Will be IN the
end uniformly good, II It IS cared 1or
in curing. The tendency u 70 cure al
POSSIBLE mild or sweet, !. e., a1r-cured'
where there Is time labor. ana 1oon'
for this purpose. as such tobacco has
the double chance Of selling to export
ers ana homo manufacturers
Again. the advice to cure smaller leaves
on plants, less than twsnty-four inches
nv air-nues. or sun-curing. II worth heed
Ing on this shorter tobacco, where other
than one-sucker can be well used as
domestic and export manufacturing filler
equally as well. and will find compett-
ZION from all classes Of buyers. Black
wrappers arc always IN demand at best
prices; a black or brown notified, with
rood body, IL the most Desirable. and it's
solid and uniformly 70 cured: a real black
Is also in special demand. These grades
should be carefully sorted. Some fire on.
Them is not altogether %undesirable. The
Erlner, larger "a to - inch tobacco and
hsvoua win 30 wanted ~ tho kbstr1ans