The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-15
TOBACCO
GROWERS
They Are Despondent Over Low
Prices Being Paid for the
Weed This Week.
MAY REDUCE PRODUCTION
Farmers Discuss Plan to Force,
Manufacturers to Pay
Living Prices.
Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatch)

Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatch)
MEHERRIN, VA, Nov. 14.-lne tobacco
growers Of this and adjoining counties
say that their future prospects for this
crop are the most dlscouraging they have
faced for many years.
Last year the larger portion OF their
entire crop was disposed OF at living
prices and those who have UP to this
time offered any OF the new crop claim
that they are only receiving about half
OF tho former prices for the same grade
OF tobacco.
The question they aer now asking each
other Is: "1Iow can we continue to culti-
vate this crop at these prices and keep
ourselves and families fed2'
s The cost of labor. has almost doubled In
tho past few years. and the lands are
growing weaker and more guano Is re-
quired. Especially is this the case with
bright grainers. All Of this increased cost
in production is taken from the profits
OF the farmer, and there is no doubt that
unlcs some change takes place
soon, the balance will be on tho wrong
side Of the sheet.
Many of these farmers use over one
hundred tons Of fertilizer and employ
from four to ten hands, and expect to get
the amount from the tobacco crop to meet
all expenses, and reasonable allowance.
for Themselves. A large number OF them;
buy the fertilizer on what they call crop
time and those who pay cash for 1t expect
to get the amount with interest from the
crop they use It. upon. This Is another
question that is receiving It's share Of
attention Unless those who buy an order
can meet their obligation there will be
trouble in getting enough for the next
crop, and those who paid cash, Will not
feel disposed to buy again unless the
prospects are much improved.
Very little of the crop through this
section has been put on the market, and
the farmers are organizing themselves
and getting in shape to- fight the trust
until they are forced to raise the price OF
the weed to living figures.
Various suggestions come from the dir-
ferent farmers as to the plan upon which
they will fight. but the more favored one,
;s to reduce the crop to such an extent
that manufacturers will be compelled to
pay better prices in order to get tho sup
ply.
CIRCUIT COURT.
Circuit Court will convene in this coun-
ty on Tuesday next Several interesting
suits Will come up for trial. Among them,
|, Mrs. vs. H. Stokes against the sout Ss9n
RAILWAY for ten thousa nd dollars for the
killing OF her husband near here over
year ago. Tbs suit has gone to trial once
before, and the plaintiff was awarded
thirty-five hundred dollars by the jury.
Both sides were dissatisfied, and asked
for a new trial, which was granted.
Arguments for a new trial for Talcanl
Slaughter will also be heard. His case
has been in the hands OF a Jury twice.
The first time mistrial resulted, and the
latter, he was given eight years. He has
sheen confined In Jail about one year
DIPHTHERIA.
The diphtheria situation is about under
control here now, and SO far as known no
new cases have broken out. Tho schools
have ali resumed operation With line
attendance. 1t is quito evident that Win
few more days of favorable weather the,
entire community will be free from the
germs.
Miss Fanny Johns, who lives near here,
had quite q severe fall few days ago,
and as a result is confined to her bed.
Mr.. Thomas c. Haskins has announced
his opening sale Of tobacco at Prices
warehouse on November goth. A large,
corps Of buyers will be on hand. and it
Is expected that nice lot OF tobacco Will
be offered for sale.
The lumber business Is steadily In
creasing here. The mills are WORKING
full time and tn manufacturers are dis
posing Of their stock as fast as they
can sell 1t. Several prospective buyers
nave been here in the past few days look
ing over the fields with view TO making
Mrs 8. A. Davis, OF South Boston,. 10
spending few days as the guest OF Mr..
John D. Davis.