The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-01-09

The horoscope which the U. S. Tobac-
co Journal presents for the coming year
for the tobacco manufacturing trade is
quite assuring and the hope of the cigar
industry is that the prophecy will be
realized: "It may be safely predicted
that even more active year is in view
for the leaf trade than thelpast has been.
That is to say, it may be safely speculat-
ed on a larger volume Of business than
during any year SO far. For there is
nothing in our economic or political hor-
izon that threatens to cause an embar-
assment or a retardment of our cigar in
dustry at least to that overtowering
branch of it that uses only domestic
and for some part Sumatra leaf. Meth
er does the general prosperity of the
country seem to be in any shape or
measure on the wane, which means that
our capacity for consumption will re-
main in the ascendancy. And increas-
ing consumption means increasing de-
mand for a supply of leaf tobacco. On
the other hand, we know that, the pro-
visions for the supply have moi kept in
due proportion with the increased de-
mands. Though the acreage of the do
mestic leaf land has been extended in
some states, it has by no means been
overdone and the yield of the crop does
not fully correspond to expectations.
But some better crops will undoubtedly
be marketed in 1908 than in 1902, partic-
ularly the New England and Wisconsin
crops, and although we anticipate to
hear again the cry that no money will be
or has been made on these crops, the
market will at least not have to pass
through sleepless anxiety of getting
rid of damaged and defective crops.
Thus even if the bank accounts are not
to grow unduly fatter, the health of the
packer is sure to suffer less. But much
of the improvement in the trade during
the year will depend on the adoption of
more modern methods to do business
A meeting of the GAINESVILLE Leaf To-
bacco Dealers association was held at
their office Saturday evening and was
largely attended. After the routine bus
mess considerable time was spent in dis
cussing the advisability of purchasing a
quantity of choice Havana tobacco seed
in Connecticut and distributing it
among the farmers of the state free. AS
much of the seed used in this state is
hybridized and otherwise of poor quail
ity, it was thought advisable to secure a
better strain of seed in the hope of i'm
proving the quality of tobacco to be
grown in the future A resolution fav-
oring the scheme was passed unanimous
ly and the matter will be taken up in an
o. IN ho fr1i-11
eral present pledged sums of money to
further the matter, one offering $50 and
others less sums. The matter of bet
ter grade of paper to be used by the
farmers in wrapping the bundles of to-
bacco was also discussed. 1t was the
coneensus of opinion that better grade
should be used and the association will
make strenuous efforts to bring about
change in this matter. This is along
the lines followed by the association in
its efforts to gradually improve the
quality and condition of Wisconsin to-
bacco when it shall have reached the
open market or the manufacturers ia
BILE. There has been a noticeable i'm
provement along this line during the
past five years, but there is also great
need for continued improvement.
-
Independent cigar dealers from all
over the country will hold a convention
in Chicago, January 13, to discuss ways
and means of fighting the so-called to-
bacco trust. The plan is to form ma
tional association, with headquarters in
Chicago. The convention is expected to
make close combination with the trade
unions-in particular the cigar makers
q nd fCbnooo xr,orLorc; 11niopc