The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-26
TOBACCO INDUSTRY
IT IS BIG IN PROMISE FOR THE FU-
 TURF IN ALABAMA.
Growing of Fragrant Weed Most Scientific of Pursuits-Figures Showing Extent and Importance of This -.
 Industry.

An industry which has received little at- tention at the hands of people in general of this section. and which is due serious consideration both because of its status as a legitimate trade and because of the enormous profits accruing from its pursuit is that of the production of tobacco It is true, the industry is still in the embryo in this section. but even in the formative pe- riod its gigantic proportions have made themselves felt in a manner that produces a precedence of a great change in the indus tries of Central Alabama within the next one or two decades.
 Tobacco growing has only ben undertaken in one two cases, and there are probably but ten acres given over to the staple in Dallas and Perry counties. But the results of one years work on these ten acres give promises that will bear fruit in the exten- sion of the work.
 Mir. M. J. Elkan. of Selma, and Mr. S. A Reynolds. of Carlowville are probably the sole planters of tobacco on significant scale. With these two planters the work has been conducted on an ultra-scientific plan, and in a way showing that resource fulness and study must not be stinted in the growth of the fragrant weed.
 In tobacco growing, according to one of the planters, MT. Eikan. every detail is arranged in the most minute and scientific method conceivable From the fertilization of the land, for which provison is made by specified number of oxen to the acre, who to he fed on a pre-arranged and careful ly compiled diet so that the exact ingred- lent desired can be found in the manure fer tiliZer, to the careful shading of the plant where an exact number of posts. say 1000 to the ncre, must be erected and covered with a wire screen, or specified mesh and dimensions-everything is scientific. It is probable that for study and science. no agra rian pursuit can compare with that of to- hacco culture.
 It will be seen from the requirements for the scientific. and only really successful growth of tobacco, that considerable capital is necessary to effect start in the enter prise, but 1t is stated. from growers them selves, that the profits are so great that one ar two crops will suffice to realize the amount invested. and to net a considerable profit. After that the crops are profit to a great proportion. and continue in such increase of geometrical proportion that enor- nous wealth has been secured from few acres planted in tobacco and raised on the scientific scale.
 Mir Elkan the Black Belts pioneer in to- bacco raising. stated that 1000 pounds to the acre is far from an exceptional crop. And shade tobacco such has the scientifi- cally cultured, Is sold from sec to $l pound Thus it will be seen that the state ment of a crop worth BPS, 900 being raised on twenty-two acres Is net an unsubstantlal dream of wealth. but golden reality.
 Georgia and Florida. according to Mir. FL kan are Alabama's only competitors in this section of the country and Alabama has such advantage over these two that if the farmers were to only awake to the realiza- ton of the enormous profit to be- made by them from tobacco culture the state. or the central portion. would prosper as per haps no other section of the country has. In bearing out this statement, Mir, Elkan spoke of the little town of Quincy, Fla. Six or eight years ago 1t was mere country town with no prospects of future and with no resources. A dreamer. he was regard J Ia fai m and there is always the bugaboo of fail- ure to face the tobacco grower-he and his partners sunk nearly $50O.0o0 in the enter prise. But he kept on. unable to stop. To- day he and his partners are multimillion- aires over. And Quincy County. which has taken up the industry. is the richest county in the world per capita. Not even Jefferson county, with it's untold mineral resources can compare with the wealth as apportioned among its individuals of the Florida Coun- ty-
 It means much for the Black Belt these experimental tobacco farms of Perry and Dallas county. With crop that will bring SI a pound as against the to 12 cents for cotton. which costs more even to pre- pare for market than cotton will sell for Is cents a oound-and which will produce 1. 900 pounds to the acre there is little that the industry will not bring about. Many merchants and far sighted business men, through the agency of the Commercial and Industrial Association, are endeavoring to bring to this section tobacco growers from Kentucky where the prosecutions of the Night Riders are making many dissatisfied Numerous responses have been received to this call to the Black Belt and it is proba- ble that before long tobacco culture will be a reality on a larger scale than even the two worthy pioneers of this section dream of.
 That Alabama tobacco is excellent Is we'll known to the many that have smoked the local cigars. Almost at every tobacco stand in the city such cigars are for sale. and are greatly enjoyed. There are several manu- facturers of cigars in the county, mostly on a small scale. as yet. however. Mir F. C. Krebs, who has operated a factory in Selma, on Water Street. for many years, still con- tinues in the business turning out with his force of four workmen about 50.00o cigars a month. This, he announces. he finds ann pie market for. with every customer satis- fled and clamoring for more Alabama to- bacco And he joins with the others in prophesying a great future for tobacco cul- ture in Alabama.