The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1904-07-22
:. NOTE BOOK SKETCHES :.


= NOTE BOOK SKETCHES :.
1t seems foregone now that growers
will carry over less of the 1908 crop than
almost any previous one for several years
back. The gradual absorption that has
been going on for nearly three months
has finally reduced the unsold portion of
the crop until the amount remaining in
first hands is considerably below that of
year ago this date, with prospect of
it being pretty closely picked up before
packers have entirely finished the sea-
sons handling. Even though the crop
has brought exceptionally low prices, it
isfquite generally believed that growers
have been wise in disposing of their
holdings. Whatever damage now occurs
to the crop must be borne by the pack
ers and there appears to be certainty
that there will be more or less in all
packings One thing is certain, the
country is pretty well cleaned of poor
crop, and it can in nowise embarass the
sale Of the one now growing should it
turn out as we'll as it now promises.
*.@
Just year ago the writer visited
shade-grown tobacco plantation near
Windsor Locks, Conn., and told our
| readers what he saw there in IS acre
field under canvas A few days ago we
came across this item referring to the
same enterprise:
sThe affairs of the United States Su-
matra Tobacco Growing Co., of Windsor
Locks, Conn, are being wound up, and
the process does not reflect halo about
the venture. The fixtures and imple-
ments of the 75-acre plant were hauled
last week to Rainbow, where they will
be disposed of for what they will bring.
Last years crop has been sold at low
| figure, it is said, to satisfy claims of
banks, which advanced money on the
venture. Employees of the company and
small creditors are casting about for
some means of obtaining part of what
is due them. John A. Lane, the super
| intendent of the farm, has obtained
judgment, but has not obtained his
! money"
~
Indications point to much of the 'O4
tobacco crop of New England being sold
during the summer months on contract.
Several prominent growers claim that
this move on the part of buyers has been
made almost necessity by the sharp re-
duction in the tobacco acreage through
| ha Tn 0f
the numerous cases of dissatisfaction
that arose from the sale of last years
tobacco crop, the ~ E. Homestead offers
a timely word of advice to farmers: Con
tracing tobacco crops should be done in
the most careful manner, and every
farmer should realize that there are only
three safe methods by which a crop may
be contracted. First, it is preferable
that written contract be made with
the buyer. Second, if the buyer will not
sign contract, have him pay down part
| cash to cinch the deal. This may be
only small proportion of the gross
amount of the sale. Third, partial de-
livery of the crop should be made as
| early as possible.
***
What should prove of great value to
| tobacco farmers throughout the country
is the discovery of an anti mold remedy
| by Herbert Knox, a Warehouse Point,
Conn, chemist. The compound is said
to be neutral, quite departure from the
| old compounds, which are largely acid.
| The Knox method will be known as the
! cherry apillary solution. It's main func-
! ton is to rapidly permeate the entire
| leaf through the midrib and sub arteries
| and, as the inventor claims, absolutely
| and permanently destroy mold. Since
January numerous experiments have
| been made at East Hartford on different
varieties of nodded tobacco, and in each
| of these complete success was secured.
The new remedy is liquid which is
used in the form of a spray. The tobac
co may be treated either through the
| butts or the leaves. It is claimed the
butt treatment is to be preferred, as by
| this plan tobacco need not be taken out
of the case to be treated. If the leaves
are sprayed the inventors claim the mold
will disappear in week to ten days. If
| the butt treatment is given, it will take
three to four weeks. About three quarts
of the liquid are used for 800 pounds of
stripped tobacco. 10 addition to remov-
ing all traces of mold permanently, the
inventor claims that his discovery exerts
| chemical effect upon nicotine, chang
| ing it's properties into other agents,
which are highly desired in the manu-
facture of cigar wrappers. The intense
'bite" caused by nicotine is largely re-
moved by the solution. Mr.. Knox says
it also makes more glossy leaf, gives a
brighter and more brilliant appearance
to the tobacco, finer texture, and to-
bacco treated by his preparation holds
| fire longer than untreated. Year after
year tobacco growers have had more or
less difficulty with mold. It is claimed
that not since "A has an important pat
ent been issued for remedy to fight
| this evil. For the past two generations
the method employed to remove mold
has been to spray the leaf with diluted