The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-19
GRAVELY TO TOBACCO FARMERS.

tain the, belief that there will be a great
err demand for tobacco the coming year
than ever before, but they fail to divulge
that information. They may have infor-
nation For sustaining the belief that they
will make more money by your planting
big crop than they will make if you re-
6uce the acreage. I'll tell you what they
say--it may be Internationally but truth
fully-and it is this: the demand has
become greater than the supply and on
that account prices have greatly adj
Nanced. This condition of affairs, which,
by the way, enables you to pay your
debts and put a few surplus dollars in
one, so much SO that they prompted OF
course by their special interest IN your
good fortunel strongly advise you to IN
crease your crop, when they know that is
the only thing under the shining heaven
that can ard will put the prices OF to-
bacco down. | could give you hundreds
of reasons why prices will advance or de-
cline in proportion to the decrease or IN
crease to acreage, all Of which fade INTO
insigrifeance when compared with the
one great indisputable reason-experl-
cree.
Yes nv friends, the crop for the last
Two years has been decreased and prices
have correspondngly advanced. Tnat
bottom dog, to which referred In an ar
ticle on this subject two years ago ana
subsequently twelve months ago. is now
gloriously on top, and rejoice most
heartily over the fact that was one
who suggested the remedy that placed
him there. And / tell you as sure as the
sun lights the day and the moon and the
stars the night, just so sure Will the
cause that put prices up keep them up
Theories are possibilities but expert
ence is the truth. Hope and expectations
are but desires of the heart and OIL
times but air-castles of the mind, out
the lesson of experience is the safe guide
to success You have purchased your eX-
perence at great price; you are just
emerging from the dark days of servllity
into the light of freedom and plenty, ana
YOU have only to continue the course
YOU have pursued for the past two years
to land in the midst of the glittering rays
of prosperity, highest ambitions and
sweetest hopes. A strict adherence to
the short crop idea and plan will make
YOU. so far as the prices of your tobacco
is concerned, lord of all. No increase in
acreage means extra dollars in your
pockets: no increase in acreage means
your early liberation from debt no IN
crease in acreage will make you the
money lenders instead of the money
borrowers; no increase in acreage means
your owning the merchants instead OF the
merchants owning you; no increase in
acreage means happy, well-dressed wire,
educated and useful children, proud
father, prosperous farmer and an in
dependent and valuable citizen. But an
increased crop of tobacco means the sur
rendering of all these happy blessings
and privileges to the merchant, the
manufacturer. the dealer and the trust,
while your good wife lives in slavery,
and the sweet children, whom God has
given you, go clothed in rags and grow
UP in ignorance, and you, the unhappy
farmer. husband and farmer, while away
your life in disgust and despair Let me
beg you, yea let me entreat you, not for
my sake, (for you should know that |.
as a warehouseman, would be materially
benefited by big crop of tobacco). but
for the sake of your wife, your children,
your happiness and freedom, not to in
crease your crop of tobacco this year.
Don't say my neighbor is going to de-
crease his crop and this is the time for
me to plant all l can" Don't, don't do
that for if you do. my word for it, you
and you alone will be loser
j. o. w. GRAVELY.
Rocky Mount n c.