The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-01-11
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

Inc year just closed Will pass lnto MS
tory as the most prosperous one ever ex-
perienced by the growers of tobacco in
Wisconsin. Whatever there is in store
in the future for the dealers who now
practically own the 1906 crop-whether
it earns them profit or loss-need not
concern the farmer, for his position is
secure. He is already counting his
profit, and it amounts to something phe
nomenal when viewed in the light OF re-
cent statistics regarding the acreage,
yield and price paid the producer. AS
suming that the statistics of the agri
cultural department are reasonably COR
rect, let US estimate what the profits of
last seasons tobacco crop were to the
growers of Wisconsin. 1t is generally
conceded that the 1906 crop amounted
close to 10000 acres, yielding 1875 pounds
to the acre, while the average price paid
growers is given at 1873 cents by the
government report. In other words the
gross receipts of each acre would amount
to $172.I2. Deducting the cost OF rails
ing, which under the most conservative
estimates cannot exceed $40 per acre,
and it is generally believed that most of
the tobacco of this state is grown at
cost of less than $50 per acre, we have at
least profit OF $l32 on every acre pro-
duced in the state. This would mean
an enormous total of $5,280,000 of clean,
cold profits to be paid the tobacco grow
ers of this state. In few weeks now
this amount will have been paid the
farmers of only about half dozen coun-
ties and thrown into the channels of
trade again. No such profits we're ever
before paid to so small number OF pro-
ducers in the west. The figures are un-
precedented and almost challenge the
credulity of the general public. Think
of more than five million dollars in prof
its pocketed by less than 10000 farmers!
Surely the tobacco growers are in the
saddle and riding easily.
~
Based on the statistics issued by the
department of agriculture regarding
acreage and yield OF the past seasons
tobacco crop, the q. S. Tobacco Journal
has figured out that there will be no
shortage of cigar leaf when the crop is
ready for market eight months hence.
After providing for the natural increase
in cigar prodaction, making deductions
for shrinkage, damage in the cure and
liberal proportion withdrawn for the
needs of the scrap manufacturers, there
will remain something like surplus of
80 million pounds more than the domes-
tic needs of consumption. Ii there is no
mistake in these deductions. the conclu-
sion is significant. Nothing can be
clearer than that the present prices of
cured leaf cannot long maintain. The
story of the "early bird" then is one
packers need keep in mind. The report
that some of the local packers of Wis
consin leaf are preparing to force sweat
portion of their purchases needs no
further explanation when viewed in con-
nection with this line of reasoning.
***
The tobacco trade will regret the an
nouncement that comes from Philadel-
phia that the old firm of L. Bamberger
81 Co. is to retire from business with the
beginning of the year. The Bamberger
firm, of which Mr.. Max Bamberger is
the head, is one of the very old firms of
the city, and financially, one of the
strongest. The firm retires from busi-
ness after one of the most successful
careers of any leaf house in the country.
In fact the firm is recognized as the
| wealthiest leaf firm in that city, and one
of the wealthiest in the country. The
firm has always been an important fac
tor in the movements in the Wisconsin
field and often times their transactions
the largest of the year. Their business
in this state for more than twenty years
has been looked after by Mr.. L. B. Earle,
whose relations with the firm have al
ways been of the most pleasant nature.
Mr.. Max Bamberger retires from an hon
orable and successful business life with
the best wishes of host of Wisconsin
friends.
*
With the beginning of Vol. &C. The U.
S. Tobacco Journal comes to this Office
in new form and makeup more in har
mony to the prevailing style of trade
papers, but brighter and more entertain
ing than ever. Under it's present man.
agement The Journal covers the news of
the tobacco markets SO thoroughly that
we sometimes wonder what there is left
for the rest of US to publish in the way
of news. We know the trade will appre-
ciate the improvements in our valued
New York exchange.
*x*
The collections of internal revenue on
tobacco during the month OF November,
1905, form but another page OF pros
porous years business. The tobacco