The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1911-01-06
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

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The year just closed will pass into
history as one of the most unsatisfactory
ones the tobacco growers of this state
have witnessed in recent years. The
1910 crop came up under most discour-
aging circumstances from almost the
first start. The unprecedented drouth
commencing with and following the
planting season cut the intended acre
age so that scarcely more than sixty
pei cent reached the fields, while heavy
storms following later and the presence
of an unusual number of worms and
grasshoppers, all tended to reduce the
average quality of the crop so that a
great bulk of it has been sold for stem
ming or export purposes. While the
market stood ready to pay remunera-
tive price for serviceable binder crops,
there was so small percentage meet
ing these requirements that the aver
age price has ruled low, being estimat-
ed by the government experts at but
u cents per pound. Possibly 20 per
cent Of the crop yet unsold may raise
the average figure somewhat. Grow
ers who had old tobacco on hand have
been able to realize steady increase
in price all through the year, but the
country districts are almost bare of
cured leaf of any description at the
present time. Brighter prospects, how
ever, are in store for the growers the
coming year Conditions were never
more favorable for receiving good,
strong prices for good binder leaf than
at present and liberal acreage ought
to be arranged for.
The first ray of hope the dealers in
Wisconsin leaf have received since 1905
came during the year. The 1909 crop
which was purchased with many mis-
givings, has proved the first money
maker in some years, despite their
gloomy forebodings. The crop yielded
SO large percentage of rags and green
and unmatured leaf that much damage
was expected in the cure. Much to
their disappointment the crop came
through the sweat sound and proving
such desirable binder that it has met
with ready sale at figures, too, be-
yond the sanguine expectations Of
.padsers, so that something like old
time profits was realized. Up to the
time the '09 came upon the market the
business of the year had been dull,
dragging and Improbable bit of trad
ing, a continuation of conditions pre-
vailing for three long years-a sort OF
incubus inherited from the unfortunate
1906 deal. The latter months of the
year have brought revival of business
that gives heart to the trade as we'll as
some promise of the future. Old leaf,
except few remnants of the '06, has
been pretty closely sold out and pack
ers once more have their capital re-
leased for new investments. Even the
neglected '06 seems destined to be
wanted by the increased demand fo1
binder leaf before the new crop is
ready for market. II the new crop
contained what the market now most
needs the prospects for the new year
would present a much more hopeful
view to the dealers in Wisconsin leaf.
''What cannot be cured must be en-
dured"
***
The New York Tobacco Journal has
evolved a theory that our tariff laws
are responsible for the freezing out OF
the smaller manufacturers, and this is
it's argument: Our population is grow
ing at far more than natural ratio
we have now become hundred million
nation according to the last census, oul
trade is almost immeasurably expand
ing, every line of our industries is