The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-02-09

TOBACCO

Just at this time. says the Kinston
Tree Press. too much stress can
scarcely be laid upon the danger in
cident to "oycr-cropping.' Cotton and
tobacco are the two crops in Which
"oyer-croppirS' is apt to hurt us in
the eastern part Of the State. Re
Gently we published q letter from Mr..
O.. I. Joyner, Of Greenyille, earnestly
beseeching tobacco farmers not to in
crease the acreage planted in THAI
product this year. In advocating the
same policy President r. NJ. CARING
ton. OF the Tobacco Association Of the
United states present some telling
facts and figures showing that during
the last six years bright tobacco has
been produced and has brought prices
as ioiioWS:
In 1902 Eastern North Carolina pro.
duced 10000. 000 pounds, averaging
Sl0.44.
South Carolina produced 100000
pounds, averaging $1O.13.
This high price was due to the fact
OF q small stock Of old, but more to
the severe competition for a time be
tween the American and Imperial To
bacco Companies. These high prices
cansed- to be prOduced:
In 1908 in Eastern North Carolina
100000 pounds, averaging 1871.
South Carolina produced 100000
pounds, averaging ssh.
Which very low averages We're due
IL Tic 4atSt SloCh# tlSUlI1t(ldltd
the 1902 crop, and in q great measurc
to adverse financial and business
conditions. These low prices caused
the crop to be decreased and
quently better prices as follows:
1904 Eastern North Carolina pro-
duced 100000 pounds averaging
511.08.
South Carolina produced IA, 000 900
pounds, averaging 1927.
In 1906 Eastern North Carolina
produced 100000 pounds, averag-
ing $1l.l3.
South Carolina produced 10, 900, 600
pounds, averaging $S.44.
In 1907 Eastern North Carolina
produced 53,0oo,00o pounds, averag-
ing $11.75.
South Carolina produced 100000
pounds, averaging $10.0S.
In 1905 Eastern North Carolina pro-
duced SO, 100000 pounds, averaging
$1,000 to $1,000.
South Carolina produced %, 900. OGD
pounds, averaging 5000 to SLIGO.
This shows h crop as a rule was
increased on good prices, and his in
crease always brought about lower
prices, illustrating very forci' y the
certainty Of the operation Of the law
Of supply and demand.
It will be noted that the 1908 crop
is considerably larger than any crop
since 1902 and 1908. The conditions
are such hat the two big tobacco cor
porations take a very large percent
age Of the tobacco grown in these
sections, there being scarcely any com
petition from buyers for independent
factories for this country and Cana
da. The Independent buyers taking
the small percentage they do, for the
most part, for shipment to the indie
pendent manufacturers of Great Brit
ain whose. requirements are by nc
means large. The high price on the
grades with body have practically drj,-
en- bright tobacco from the European
countries outside Of England. Thus
are the farmers putting themselves
practically in a position to accept VIVA,
the large corporations will pay. fo1
their tobacco, and these corporations
views and positions are attended with
changes just a sthe business Of any
one else, and even with their large
resources they cannot keep up prices
1 on overproductiOn.
These perfectly reliable statistics
i used by President Darlington should
/ cause farmers to take notice. In 1908
/ they show that the crop was. less in
quantity than in 1902, and that the