Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-08-30
ARE TAKING IN OTHER FIELDS
Tobacco Buyers Are Not So Mum
erous Just Now

To some extent the heated frenzy
for taking over the 1911 tobacco crop
while still standing in the fields, has
subsidized. although by no means has it
stopped. But the onward rush of half
hundred buyers has been to some ex-
! tent abated and a number of foreigners
have gone to other fields of operation.
lsI hey are now looking over the crops in
Dane, Rock, Columbia and some north
ern territory that has taken on the cul-
tivation of tobacco. The local situation
| is an animated one. Every man and
boy who can be pressed into activity is
employed in the gathering of the splen-
did yield of money-produclng weed of
evil. Probably no crop has entirely
escaped the slayer's axe, and not few
have completed harvest. But the bulk
Of the acreage will be put on poles this
week.
The Edgerton Tobacco Reporter tells
something of the aspect of the buying
| situation and also gives advice concern
/ ing too green gathering that are time
| ly. We quote from the current issue:
Based upon reports that reach US of
4 the buying movement, the independent
tobacco dealers are up against fierce
game that is being played in the grow
ing districts this year. The large op-
orators have so many buyers placed in
the field and bidding up prices 10 the
very limit that the small operator is
practically forced out of the d e a ! i.
These large operators, such as the
American Tobacco Co., the United CT
gar Manufacturers Co., Eisetlohr e.
Bros and others. are manufacturers
who have urgent need for supply of
| binder leaf, possibly exceeding so, 900
cases, and few cents pound, more or
less, will not stand in the way of secur-
| ing it at whatever cost. 1t is sort of
trust combination that the little fellows
cannot meet without the danger of suf-
| fering severe loses at the other end of
| the line, and none care to repeat the
experience of the 1906 crop. Another
reason for the unusual figures being
paid in the northern growing sections
is the drouth and grasshopper affection
/ ia the southern counties, making it
uncertain up to that time what the
outcome of the crop might be. While
their fears in this direction were in a
measure groundless, a price has been
set that ensures the growers a fine
profit on the 1911 crop. 1t is no secret,
however, among the growers that they
are obtaining from 2 to cents more
for their tobacco than they really ex-
pected or glad to have taken had not
the conditions been precipitated by
early fielo buying.
A most unfortunate feature of this
early field buying lies in the danger OF
| cutting unripe and immature tobacco.
The grower who has sold for big money
can hardly be blamed if he does moi
take many chances on the weather tina,
might bring heavy storms, hail or frost.
He is pretty sure to see his crop safely
in the shed at the earliest possible
moment rather than trust elements
We learn of instances where the sale
is made one day and the harvest i.
commenced the next, even though the
crop had been topped but a few days
And herein lies trouble, all packers well
understand The damage sustained ir
the '06 and '07 packings can well be
traced to this source and they bring il
upon themselves again by forcing the
buying against the protests of growers
/ who would much prefer to wait until
/ the harvest is over before entering into
contracts for their tobacco. All such
dangers might be obviated by delaying
| the movement few weeks and mons
would have suffered thereby.