The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-10

Decidedly dlscouraging reports concern
ing crop conditions in the Dominion
are reaching shockoe slip through ware
bousemen who have been upon the field
taking in the situation. Summed up in
word, these reports would seem to in
dictate that owing to a great scarcity OF
plants, brought about by severe droughts,
followed by equally sever spells of wet
weather, the yield of tobacco this year
will be considerably smaller than that OF
the last.
Speaking OF the matter yesterday, Mr..
Will l. HAZEL, proprietor OF Shockoe
Warehouse, expressed himself pretty
much to the effect as above. Hc has just
returned from Louisa Courthouse, where
he has been In the interest Of his bust
ness, and no is In position to speak
from information obtained at first hand.
According to Mr.. HAZEL, loud-yoiced COM
plants arc going UP from farmers IN oil
sections. When the time for looking az
ter the new crop arrived plants We're very
plentiful, and all looked for a big yield
this year. Then came q heavy wet spell,
which washed the land badly, and then,
worst Of ell. followed drought OF three
weeks, which parched the fields and
burned up everything In sight. The
plants, hitherto soaked, were now dried
UP to such an extent that they were ready
to blow away The situation changed
from plentitude to scarcity, and such is
the situation to-day. The farmers are
uttering loud complaints. and are in many
cases decidedly blue over tho prospects
for the new crop.
on the whole Mr.. HAZEL Is in the Same
frame Of mind. Taking all things into
consideration, he does not believo that the
yield this year will be anything like Us
large as that of the season just gone.
The Tobacco Trade, 1t is understood.
will before very long take stops toward
securing a French Government represent
alive for Richmond. They will probably
adopt resolutions asking the appointment
Of yice-consul. recommending for the
position Mr.. S. August, OF this city. Speak
Ing Of the matter yesterday, Mr.. L. B.
Vaughan, Of Crenshaw Warehouse, said:
Since the death Of Mr.. LIE Masurier,
vice-consul OF France. this government
has been without its representative IN
Richmond. Recognizing the importance OF
this by our people, the Tobacco Trade,
Grain and Cotton Exchange, Chamber
of Commerce and business men generally
have cordially recommended Mr.. Simon
Peter August Of the August Grocery
Company, who is a Frenchman, having
been born in Corsica CNapoleon's birth
place., is gentleman of sterling worth,
q nephew Of our old esteemed fellow
citizen. Andrew Antoni. to AL this va
cancy so much needed. Tho Republics OF
the United States and France have much
In common interest in business. Large
quantities Of leaf tobacco, dried apples,
| flour and other articles too numerous to
mention are exported to France IN re-
turn for silks, wines and other lines OF
imports. These, aside from tho friendly
relations since the time OF Lafayette,
mako the absence of vlce-consul of France
| keenly felt by our people. We hope tho
| contamination of this important relation
may be soon made by the appointment OF
Mr.. August"
Nothing developed on the market yes
| terday to effect any change In the widely
current belief that the plant of Butler and
Bosher. In this city, had passed Into the
hands of the Continental Tobacco Com
| pany, or will do so before many days have
elapsed. The discussion continues with
all force, and If anything with more pos
| itiveness than ever.
Mr.. Butler was back in the city yester-
| day and was on Change as usual. He
seemed to be In good spirits. but did not
| encourage references to the reported sale
| of his factory. When questioned about
| the matter he declared that the Tobacco
Trade had sold him out time and again
before this. SO far as the present rumors
were concerned. however. he declined to
| talk.
The date for the annual meeting of tho
Tobacco Association of tho United States
| has Just been announced by President
Darlington. The convention will be held
on July Goth and 31st and August 1st In
Old Point Convention headquarters will
be at the Hotel Chamherln, This will be
! the third annual meeting of the associn-
| ton, and there Is every promise OF a most
successful gathering.
| -- ------=----------
| =.