The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-04-30
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES


So far weather conditions have been
quite unfavorable for the laying of the
seed beds for another tobacco crop.
The temperature has ruled so cool and
heavy frosts frequent that there has
been a good deal of danger in consign-
ing sprouted seed to the ground how
ever we'll the beds We're protected by
coverings. Some growers have been
compelled to throw away the seed first
gerninated and start again before they
deemed it safe to sow the beds. The
lateness OF the season, however, need
not prove such discouraging feature
for under favorable conditions sprouted
seed comes forward very rapidly. There
is sufficient moisture now in the ground
and all that is needed is reasonable
amount of warm weather to bring the
young plants forward in time for usual
transplanting dates. Even at this
writing there are a good many seed
beds yet to be laid in the tobacco grow
ing sections of this state. The history
of other years would indicate that it is
not yet too late to sow them. either.
80
Restrictive legislation aimed at the
use of tobacco has received setback
in veto which Gov. Davidson returned
to the senate Monday evening to a
bill which prohibits minors under the
age Of Is years being sold tobacco in
any form or having it in their possession.
The governor after first citing the fact
that there were other statutes which
were inconsistent with the proposed
new law, said the people had given
those little consideration. The multi
plication, he said, of such statutes
when the sentiment Of the people was
not for them bred contempt for all law
and their passage was of little avail.
He pointed out that under the act re-
turned without his approval minor
could not purchase tobacco at a store
for his parents or any one else. 1t
might also be held, shut out minors
from work in tobacco factories as they
would while there have tobacco in their
possession. The governor said with
this bill law no minor could procure
tobacco lawfully. On the other hand
under other statutes minor between
the ages of is and Is years might use
it when and where he will if he can
pros re 1t. For these and other rea-
sons he withheld his signature to the
bill.
~
In retrospective view of the cigar
leaf industry the noticeable feature is
the widely varying conditions in the
several states.
In the Connecticut valley the 1908
crop when averaged will be decided
disappointment to the growers. Start
ing out with an excellent promise of
fine quality and abundant yield, the
crop proved rather mediocre wrapper.
It was too dark and much of it went
into filler In this section of the coun-
try where large quantities of fertilizer
have to be used to bring production up
to paying quantity, it scarcely pays
to raise filler in competition with the
more fertile states of the west. 1t is
probable that there will be shifting
of acreage in the Connecticut valley in
1909. Many of the poorer farmers will
drop out of the business. The stronger
men will turn to the production of
higher quality tobacco. Acreage of
tent or shade-grown tobacco will be in
creased. With improved methods in
the cultivation and curing, and by the
adoption of some new type of wrapper
leaf, the prospects for a profitable fu-
ture in growing wrapper tobacco In the
Connecticut valley are by no means
dismal
Wisconsin had prosperous year. A
10
| throughout the season were such that
growers made reasonable profits. They
| are encouraged to at least renew the
acreage of last year. Recently the
market at Edgerton, which is the prin-
cipal tobacco trading center of the
state, has been quiet. Prices suffered
| little, however, on account of this ap-
parent lack of demand. There is no
weakness in the situation since stock OF
| 1908 tobacco in growers hands OF that
state are conceded to be small. The
range of price this season was 81 to lie
and the average about &c.
Ohio had reduced yield owing to
| dry weather and the market has drag
ged throughout the winter. Of late
there has been a buying boom and
prices show some Improvement. Span
the bulk of the crop was sold at a
range of 8 to lie, 1Oc possibly being
the average Preparations are going
on for the 1909 crop. The acreage is
still very much in doubt.
Pennsylvania had a prosperous year
taken as whole. The season opened
with low prices and there was ten
dency to rush the crop to market at
to &c per pound. The Lancaster county
tobacco growers association expressed
indignation at such sacrifice of the in
terest of the tobacco growers and its
protest had an excellent moral effect.
Toward the close of the season prices
were at the top for the year, and Ii
and 12c was the average for good crops.
1t is very likely that the acreage this
year will be fully as large as that of
1908. Perhaps there will be slight in
crease.
fo+c bod n,