The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-04-17

***
It is now more than forty years ago
that the Dutch residents started what
has since become one Of the great tobac
CO industries of the world in sultanate
of Deli on the island of Sumatra. The
first importations that we have any rec
ord of in 1868, amounted to only $4,000
in value, while the crop of 1901 reached
the enormous amount of 227, 800 bales
valued at more than 80 millions of dol
lars. At the present time the culture is
extended to eleven districts. The rapid
growth of the industry and the enor-
nous profits paid interested capitalists
in all European countries, but most of
the corporations now engaged in the cul
ture have their officers in Holland where
the product is largely marketed. Some
of the corporations are paying from 80
to 100 per cent. dividends yearly. The
seed used is carefully guarded and very
little of it is ever allowed to go away
from the island The labor used is
mixed race of coolies that soon develop
great skill and efficiency in the manipu-
lation of the leaf. The industry has
been of Vast benefit to Sumatra. In 1860
that great island was practically terra
incognita. At the present time two
thirds of it is almost as far advanced in
civilization as is Java next door. The
natives are ruled with comparative wis
dom and are making progress in every
direction. The various seapOrts are
prosperous, and the exports and imports
are increasing steadily.
~
AS the series of Sumatra sales in Hol-
land proceeds it becomes plain that the
American buyers are getting what they
want and at the right prices. Thus far
but three sales have been held, two at
Amsterdam and one at Rotterdam, and
the total purchases by American buyers,
who are leaf handlers solely and not rep
resentatives of the cigar manufacturing
corporations, foot up over seven thous-
and bales. Samples have reached New
York OF selections of Sumatra purchased
at the first inscription on March 18.
These samples make it clear that the
1902 crop is an excellent yielder, sound
and silky and of right colors
*&*
A decision of great interest to tobacco
buyers and growers was rendered on |
March % last in the suit of Gray VS.. |
Meyer ct al. in the Seventh judicial Dis |
trict of New York at Lyons, N. Y. by |
Supreme Court Justice James w. Dun |
well. The facts of the case were as fol- |
lows: In August, 1901, the defendants |
contracted with Gray to buy his stand
ing crop at IL cents pound. In the |
memorandum of sale. which was signed |
by both parties, it was stated that Gray
was to bundle his tobacco "free from
hail, frost, pole burn, stem-rot, fats, wet
butts, wet tobacco and trashv stuff, !" and
also that Gray should deliver the tobac-,
co In January free from damage" In
January Gray offered the tobacco to the
defendants. On examination a consider
able portion was found to be grassnop-
The defendants thereupon
infused to take delivery unless Gray
would sort out all that was grasshopper-
eaten. Gray refused to do this, sold his
tobacco for what he could get, and sued
the defendants for 1885, the difference
between the contract price and what he
received. Judgment was given to Gray
for the amount claimed, Justice Dun
we'll holding that the memorandum of
sale should be construed strictly, and