The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-06-16
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

~ 1O0t> SIN- Sff-S
:: :.
The new crop is now going into the
fields under about as favorable condi-
tions as the growers could we'll wish for.
The unusual amount of rain so far this
season has moistened the soil to great
depth and put it in shape to withstand
long continued drouth if needs be. How
ever, the ground is working up mellow
and loose and but little water is neces-
sary in transplanting to secure a good
stand in the fields. The weather re-
mains cool enough so there is but little
willing of the plants after transferring
from the beds. With an abundance of
plants of proper size everywhere through
out the tobacco sections now ready for
the fields, the growers see fair prospect
ahead of having the crop transplanted
at as early date as the work is gener-
ally accomplished in the west. The
fields now out are looking splendid-the
plants all of even size, large and thrifty.
So far cut worms are not reported more
troublesome than other seasons.
*.1
The inquiry for cheap filler stock has
prompted revival of stripping again.
With the packing season practically fin
ished, dealers are turning their attention
to preparing strips during the summer
months, and in this way several hundred
hands will find employment at the vari-
Gus packing points in the state for some
months to come The large amount of
O3 crop that went white ia the cure can
by treatment be made to pass for very
fair filler goods, SO that the strippers
find ready market for all goods of this
class as fast as made merchantable. The
demand seems unlimited from the cut
ters and stogie manufacturers and large
quantities of low grade stuff will thus
seek remunerative market. Improved
methods are all the time being found in
the manipulation of the stripped goods,
SO that wider market is all the time
being opened up and the business doubt
less increased in the state.
***
Ehe Bureau of Insrlar Affairs of the
War Department has received from Ma
Mia the detailed statistics showing the
exports of leaf tobacco, cigars and other
manufactured products for the calendar
year l90a by countries of destination.
The figures are of special interest at this
time for the reason that they constitute
an exhibit wholly at variance with the
claims of Secretary Taft and his associ-
ates concerning the status of the indus
try, and especially the tendency in the
distribution of exports. The arguments
presented to the Ways and Means com
dnittee last winter by Secretary Taft, M
Determann and others on behalf of the
Curtis bill, dwelt with special emphasis
on the alleged decline in the exports OF
leaf tobacco. and the sad plight of the
operatives in the cigar factories, who
were represented to be on the verge OF
starvation, which could only be averted
by removing the tariff barriers which
shut out Philippine tobacco products
from the United States. 1T was also urg-
ed that because the islands had come
into the possession of the United States,
Spain had turned her back upon them
and supplied her requirements in the
shape of leaf tobacco in some other un-
named market. The statistics which are
now available demolish these arguments.
Lit rs well-known fact that the con-
sumption of cigars in the Philippine
Islands has increased materially with the
influx of foreigners that has followed
American occupation. The fact is also
very positively asserted by cigar manu-
facturers in the islands not en-
gagged in evolving arguments for the Cur
tbs bill. Nevertheless, in spite OF the
"languishing' condition of the industry,
the b6gures !presented show that
there was an increase in the value of the
exports of more than 4 per cent. AS re-
dected in the figures it certainly
AoA liz al AAOAt a0vOl Ol IuO
passage of the Curtis bill.
*x*
A New England tobacco grower has
still another remedy for eut worms. He
says: Probably the surest remedy is the
one which has been in use for some time,
viz, Paris green and middlings mixed at
the rate of one pound of Paris green to
one hunIrad mounds Of mi1@linOc Thic
mixture may be moistened with little
sweetened water and applied along side
of the plants, or it may be sifted on
the plants dry, either method of apply
ing it is successful. Some farmers are
using small machine, which bitches on
behind the setter and works on the same
principle as fertilizer sower, to sift this
poison on their plants" He might also
add that it would prove sure death to
any live stock or poultry that might par
take of this poison.
*x*