The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-15

, grown too large for the two present
warehouses, and a third one will be
constructed this winter in time for the
marketing of the next crop. There
are, Furthermore, projects on foot for
the erection of a stemmery and to-
bacco factory. There will in all prob
ability be in operation during the
course of the next year. Another enter
prise for the town is a cotton factory.
The tobacco sales, which are now be-
ing held daily, are attended by buyers
for the American Tobacco Company
the Continental Tobacco Company, the
Imperial Tobacco Company and a num-
Der of independent manufactu con-
Germs. The market season begins about
Aug. l and lasts till Oct. /, during
which time many thousands of dollars
are distributed among the people.
Three years ago, when the tobacco in
dustry was very young, Conway did
tobacco business of $4,000. Last year
the business amounted to $150,000, and
this year it will reach $250.00 in round
numbers. Next year, 1t is pre-
dicted by well informed men,
the volume of tobacco business
handled in the town will be
between $3.50, 900 and $500, 900. Conway,
by the way, is not the largest tobacco
market in the county. The town of
more; thus it will be seen that al
ready tobacco is bringing into Horny
county approximately 100000 a year,
all in hard cash; and within year or
two this income will be doubled, or
better.
Much of the tobacco raised here
abouts sells for an average of about 10
to II cents a pound, at which prices
the growing of it is profitable. In
some instances, however-and they are
by no means uncommon-the growers
get rs. 80 and 40 cents a pound. AT
least one lot of especially fine wrap
per has been sold for 81 a pound. Capt.
Richard G. Dusenbury of the Wacca-
nav Line of steamers told me of a sale
few days ago of lot of tobacco,
raised by a colored man, at So cents
pound. This colored mans lit
tie farm, before the advent
of tobacco, had probably never paid
him more than SIS or $40 an acre; now
he is getting hundreds of dolalrs out
of it. A great many farmers, white
and black, are building new houses,
clearing new lands and living better
than ever before. Every farmer,
practically has his pleasure horse and
buggy, and piano and organ statesmen
find the county profitable field for
working. The people, having more
than is needed for the necessaries of
life, are indulging themselves in the
luxuries. They have established first
class schools for their children and are
living lives of thrifty prosperity To
one who had not visited the section for
twelve years the change was marvel
GUS and most gratifying.
While tobacco has become the cor
nerstone of Horry's prosperity it is by
no means the countys sole reliance.
Truck farming has ben taken up on a
large scale and found very profitable
Cotton is now side issue, where for
merly it held first place on the farm:
and money is circulating freely and
everybody is happy.
This brief narrative of facts should
prove interesting to South Georgia
and especially Chatham county, since
so far as layman may judge, the con-
ditions of soil and climate in Horny
ana Chatham, as well as in Liberty
Emanuel, Dougherty, Glynn and other
South Georgia counties, are practically
identical. Horny is only about 225
miles north of Chatham in a direct
line, and like Chatham il borders on
the ocean. Tide water flows through
1t up the Waccamaw river. Conway is
distant only some twelve or fifteen
miles from the salts, and 1t is around
Conway that the finest wrapper to-
bacco is grown. The land needs little
fertilizing. There is every reason to
believe that what has been accom-
plished there could be duplicated. If
not improved upon, here. The Horny
people began with tobacco in a small
way. Chatham would be wise to fol-
low that example. Horny found the
crop prolific and profitable. South
Georgia would in all probability have
similar experience. LIN A. B.