The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-16
TOBACCO CROP BIG
Kansas Farmers Much Pleased
at Yield and Quality.
Experts Declare Product Equals
Best Kentucky Burnley.
BEATS MISSOURI WEED
Organization for Protection of
Growers, Present Plan.
Other Items of General Interest
to State Readers.

I.eavenworth, Kan, Nov. 16.-This il
the banner year for the growers OF TO-
bacco in LeavenwOrth and other MIS-
souri, river counties in Kansas. Three
years ago dozen or more OF the lead
ing farmers of this section who had
watched the growth of the tobacco in
dustry across the river in Platte coun-
ty, Missouri, decided to plant out a
few acres to tobacco and thus test the
soil conditions. They found that the
plant made rapid growth, and in some
respects the tobacco quality and fiber
were finer than that grown in the Mis-
souri, river bottoms around weston.
This first test crop was pronounced
the equal of the best hurley TOBACCO
grown in Kentucky by experts sent 10
! Leavenworth by the growers OF thae
IT was first believed that tobacco
could not be grown on the uplands 81
Ieavenworth county, but now small
fields of the plant are spreading out
upon the high ground, proving to the
farmers that the soil and other condl-
lions are favorable to its growth.
Former Representative o. G. Ballard
Of High Prairie this year planted seven
acres of tobacco on his farm and he
believes the plant will do as well mere
as in Kentucky or Missouri.
1.-THE crop that we have raised is
satisfactory both as to yield and qua!-
itv," he said "Our tobacco is hanging
in the barn nicely cured, and just as
soon as we have a damp spell OF
weather it will be bulked down and
the process of stripping and grading
will commence. I think 1t safe to estl-
mate that our crop grown on about
| seven and one-half acres viii yield
10000 pounds, and from present fndica-
| lions we will receive about Is cents per
pound"
The tobacco industry has grown 20
such Importance in four counties in
Missouri and Kansas that the growers
are advocating an organization Tor
| trict centers about the old town of
Weston, in Platte county, eight miles
| above Leavenworth. This town is over
| 60 years old. and up to five years ago
| it contained not more than 1000 in
habitants, dropping from a population
| of 4 600 in the early days, when it was
| the QUILTING point for all the great
| plains region between the Missouri
/ river and Salt Lake City. Since 1t has
| become the center of the new tobacco
district with its big warehouses and
wholesale tobacco market, its popula-
! ton has crawled up to more than $500.
! The growers about Weston and in
| Leavenworth county are advocating an
| association that will enable them 10
| meet anv move of the American To-
| bacco company.
| They say it is only a question of time
| when the trust will take advantage of
them as it has with the Kentucky
| growers. and that it behooves them to
| be prepared to protect their own in
| tereSts. This meeting probably will be
| held in Leavenworth early in Decem-
Der, and it is expected that the action
| taken then will cause 100 or more
| farmers in Leavenworth county alone
| to engage in the new industry in a
| small way starting with five or six
acres of tobacco and increasing the
| output each year,