The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-01-30
TTR
Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter,
Edgerton, Wisconsin.
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES.


The usual January thaw extending
over several days of the week, with it's
accompanying casing weather, has given
the belated tobacco growers chance to
remove the last of the hanging tobacco
from the poles and practically clean up
the curing sheds in all sections The
delivery of the crop to buyers at receiv-
ing points has been heavy for several
weeks past and will continue for some
time to come, as dealers are not receiv-
ing much faster than the goods are
wanted at the warehouses. It is be-
lieved that nowhere near half the crop
has as yet come in. A constant stream
of money is being turned into the coun-
try which in volume is larger than ever
before paid for tobacco crop in this
state.
*x*
Statistical returns from Cuba indicate
that the tobacco crop for 1902 will yield
about 398, ,944 bales of all growths. There
has been exported during the year 255,-
994 bales, of which the United States
took 10000 bales. The home consump-
tion by Cuban factories is estimated at
158, $50 bales for the year. The tobacco
trust is getting such strong foothold
that the independent factories are start
ing a movement to unite the Havana
factories in an agreement not to dispose
of their interests under penalty of for
feiture of large sum. The movement
will include about fifty factories that are
now independent of the big corporations.
Xxx
The farmers of Virginia and North
Carolina who are interested in the cul-
ture of tobacco believe the American
Tobacco Company is attempting to de-
press the price of it's raw material at
their expense. Consequently complaints
have been made and have been consid-
cred in high quarters. The complaint
was made directly to the President
against the American Tobacco Company
and by him was referred to the Attorney
General "where it is receiving careful
consideration" While it will probably
be buried along with the mass of other
evidence against the tobacco and other
trusts the complaint is somewhat novel
and interesting and therefore worthy OF
mention. AS evidence of a combination
in restraint of trade existing in the to-
bacco business a letter has been for
warded to the Attorney General from a
firm of commission merchants addressed
to Virginia farmer who also gives his
testimony in regard to the decrease in
price of his tobacco. The letter states
that the American Tobacco Company is
trying to reduce the price of all grades
of tobacco as part of it's campaign to
obtain complete control of this industry.
The farmer referred to owns farm in
Bedford county, Virginia, and formerly
received from the sales of tobacco ST 600
a year. Since the advent of the trust
his receipts have dwindled until last
year, with normal crop, they amounted
to only $3.50. Heretofore about half of
his tobacco had been sold before the
Christmas holidays. This season none
of it had been sold by that time, and his
inquiry from his commission merchant
brought forth the letter referred to.
*x* -.
At the annual meeting of the New
England Tobacco Growers association at
Hartford, Ct., last week, most interest
ing address was delivered by Director
Jenkins of the Connecticut experiment
station. He said there is always going
70 Io \ nd fOh IN
out of doors. The subject of the burn
of tobacco is at presenta matter OF in
vestigation. There has been a great i'm
provement in the past 70 to 30 years,
and this is due in no small degree to the
fertilizer used. Cottonseed meal is the
most desirable fertilizer; the quality
runs fairly even, but the price has been
climbing up for several years with pros
poets for increase in future. But after
all, the results of fertilizer are pretty
largely a gamble, being affected by the
weather. Results of one year must not
be taken as final AS to sources of pot
ash, cottonseed hulls are largely out of
the market. At southern mills they are
worth 81 20 for fuel under boilers, but
now S5 is paid for them for cattle feed.
Soap boilers potash is good, with high
percentage, SO, but must be used in solu-
tion as in a watering cart. In five years
experiments, potash in form of sulpnate
gave poor burn. Use 14C bushels .un-
bleached ashes per acre. Carbonate
gives a lower yield than sulphate, but
quality is some better. A white, dry,
pure salt 90 per cent actual potash, is
not much more expensive, considering
its analysis. This is new form of car
Donate of potash recently placed on the
market. DIR. Jenkins does not believe
any one formula used 10 or 15 years is a
good thing. If one thing is used indef-
nitely, an accumulation of some ingredi-
ent results. Z
*x*
A n. Y. trade journal says some very
satisfactory sales have already been
made of the shade grown Connecticut
leaf that is being handled by E. Rosen-
valid & Bro, while requests for its exam
ination and samples were legion. And
the manufacturers who applied for per-
mission to test the leaf and those who
actually purchased it were of that solid
kind who are the mainstay of the cigar
industry. The total yield which B..