The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-03-29
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

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The very large and enthusiastic meet
ing of tobacco growers held at Madison
on the 2lst inst. under the call of the
Society of Equity is significant. That
more than 500 tobacco farmers from va
rious portions of the state should gather
there means something surely. Even
though the growers have received the
highest prices for last seasons crop in
many years, it can be construed to mean
that there is very general dissatisfac-
tion prevalent regarding the manner of
receiving that crop and most earnest
protest has been recorded. The real
reason for this demonstration is found
in an effort to remedy the conditions
complained of. Whether the methods
discussed and later to be adopted will
cure these evils remains yet to be deter
that the great bulk of growers are not
pleased with the experiences of the pres
ent seasons delivery should not be lost
sight of. One reason very generally ad-
mitted for the troubles complained of is
that of contracting the crop in the fields,
and this evil the growers could control.
1t is easy enough now for the growers in
convention to resolve what they will do,
but the real test of whether they will
stand by this agreement comes later.
The honor of every individual grower
will then be put to the test. Whether
the packing arrangements advocated by
representative of the society from Ken
lucky would work satisfactorily in this
field may be question. The matter
will be thoroughly investigated before
anything in this line is adopted. One
thing is certain, the tobacco growers in
this section of the state have the capital
to finance big speculative movement if
they desire to do &C. The proceedings
of this convention will be found else
where on this page and it will be noted
that earnest, competent men are inter-
ested in the movement.
~
Nothing could occur that would please
the dealers in tobacco more ethan to have
the movement started by the growers
looking to the holding of their crops un-
til ready for market made effective and
iron-clad. At no time has the majority
of the leaf dealers entered the early field
of their own free choice. It was rather
circumstances that forced them into the
deal under protest of their better Judge
ment. They stand ready to give the
growers movement every encouragement
in this line and welcome the day when
they can buy their tobacco after it is
cured and in the bundle, when it's actual
| worth can be learned by examination.
If the sentiment can be made strong
enough in the country there will be lit
tie buying in the fields next summer.
The trouble and dissentions over receiv
ing is as distasteful to reputable dealers
as to growers. We are conf dent most
people engaged in the trade believe in
square deal all around There is no
chance for an argument on the PROPOSE
| tion in general.
New England has not given up the
idea that they can produce shade-grown
41I>. FILL of la
operators furnishes the following inform
| alton concerning the coming season. s
| prospects, "The shade tobacco is going
| to turn out O. K. Our crop will bring
over $11O0 per acre this year. The ma
| jority is sold already, and we expect to
close out the balance soon Ii we had
raised more Cuban seed, we could have
sold large amount of it. Seven differ
| ent ones who raised shade tobacco and
| took up their poles are again going into
| it this year. We will plant on our planta-
| ton 100 acres under cloth, and 80 acres
on new land. outside. We will also erect
| five new barns, 40x1O0 feet, and five ten
ement houses for our help. We have the
model plantation of the world, on land
| that few years ago was considered al
most worthless. The taxes on it were
more than the income. You will see
great revolution in our farming indus
| tries here in New England inside of
| few years, all of which is being taught
US through the department of agricul-
ture Most of she New England farm
ers like to do as their grandfathers did.
| It is very hard to get them out of their
old ways. Our active men do not want
the old canal boat; other lines have ad-
| vanced. Why not farming in New Eng
| land? There must be teachers to show
| them, or else they will be ignorant"
Xxx
Hamilton Wright, in the course OF
| thoughtful article on the opportunity for
investment in the Philippine Islands, in
Leslie's Weekly, says: Think of what
can be accomplished in tobacco In the
wonderful Cagayan Valley of Northern
Luzon, one of the most fertile valleys IN
all the tropic Orient, the land produced
under the tobacco monopoly OF the Span
ish government, often, it is said, three
! thousand pounds of tobacco an acre,