The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-03-26
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

The time is so near at hand for the
laying of the seed beds for another
crop that few words about the quail
ity of the seed to be planted seems en-
tirely pertinent. 1t is almost the uni
versal opinion of the dealers who handle
large quantities of the Wisconsin crop,
that growers are much too careless
about the kind of seed they plant and
therefore do not obtain the best re-
turns possible. While there are plenty
of well bred strains of seed to be had,
growers insist on using poor, run-out
seed and continue to produce tobacco
that cannot command the ruling prices
paid for leaf grown from more improv-
ed strains. 1t is difficult too to impress
upon the average farmer the impor-
tance of a reform along the lines of i'm
proved seed. All tobacco seed looks
alike and it is only after crop is grown
and cured and comparison made with
other crops that the grower can be
made to realize the difference between
good and poor seed A number of peo
pie are propagating improved strains of
tobacco seed and offering it for sale at
such reasonable prices that growers
can scarcely afford to let the opportun
ity pass to secure a supply rather than
go along year after year using deter
iorated seed and producing an undesir-
able type of tobacco. Remember the
first requisite for good tobacco crop is
the selection of good seed.
1t is interesting to note in this con-
nection that invariably the growers
who brought down the prizes offered
by the Wisconsin Tobacco Growers and
Dealers association for the best dis
play of cured leaf are those who have
been most careful in the selection of
their seed, as we'll as up to date in their
methods of culture and curing. The
successful tobacco grower is the one
who is progressive and ready to accept
every improvement pertaining to his
line of work. e Producers of nondescript
leaf people who plant, SOW and har-
voss from force of habit are those
who help keep the reputation Of Wis
leaf down and prices frequently below
the remunerative point. The way to
remedy this defect is to awaken in such
growers desire to start right by using
strains of seed.
**
The new tariff bill does not mater
tally change the present duties levied
on imported tobacco. But the new
schedule increases the revenue to be
paid on cigarettes and little cigars from
54 cents and $1.08 to $1.50 per M.
Nearly all the 'little pipes, therefore,
come under the 81. so classification. The
provision of the bill relating to Philip
pine tobacco products is as follows:
That on and after the passage of this
act there shall be levied, collected and
paid upon all articles coming into the
United States from the Philippine Is
lands the rates of duty which are re-
quired to be levied, collected and paid
upon like articles imported from for
eign countries:
Provided, that all articles wholly the
growth and product of the Philippine
Islands coming into the United States
from the Philippine Islands shall here
after be admitted free of duty, except,
in any fiscal year, sugar in excess of
three hundred thousand gross tons,
wrapper tobacco, and filler tobacco
when mixed or packed with more than
fifteen per cent of wrapper tobacco, in
excess of three hundred thousand
pounds, filler tobacco in excess of three
million pounds, and cigars in excess of
one hundred and fifty million; and there
shall be levied, collected and paid on
the excess of each of the said articles
in any fiscal year, the same being
wholly the growth and product Of the
Philippine Islands, which excess shall
be determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury under such rules and regula-
tions as he shall prescribe, rate of
duty equal to the duty provided upon
the importation of like articles from
foreign countries into the United States.
The bill also increases the duty on
cigar labels and admits licorice paste
free.
Cuba's tobacco exports last year
reached the great value of $31, ,056, 921,
made up of $18, 354, 420 worth of leaf
and $12, 275, ,O41 of cigars, 1926, 1884 of
and $131, SIG cut leaf. In
addition to the quantities she sold
abroad, it is estimated that her domes--
tic consumption during the year reached
ST., ,264, 385; if to the foregoing is added
the unrecorded amount consumed on
the plantations themselves the total
value of the product would swell to
S45, 100000. That is equal to about 62
per cent of all the tobacco grown in
the United States.
Florida fnhocon