The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-12
ADVISES ep0MfRs TO HOLD
AND REDRY TOBACCO CROP
HEAD OF WAREHOUSE COM.
PANY EXPECTS HIGHER
PRICES IN SUMMER.

Ito the Editor OF The Courier ournaL)
The range OF prices OF leaf tobacco at
the december opening OF the various
markets throughout the State and the
mysterious and sudden slump In these
prices Just before Christmas leads me to
ask space In the Courier Journal In which
70 submit to the tobacco farmers OF Ken
lucky a few suggestions concerning the
present situation.
The last Government report showed
stocks In the hands OF all holders approx
imating an eight months supply under
prevailing conditions, and there can be
no question OF the correctness OF these
figures.
Ever since the outbreak OF the Euro
pean war there as been steadily grow
Ing increase In the demand for and man.
ufacture OF cigarettes and smoking to-
bacco, and since America has been drawn
Into the conflict this increase has contin-
ued until It promises to absorb the sup
Ply Of leaf faster than 1t can be pro.
Formerly there always existed a con-
siderable gap between the supply and de-
mand which enabled the manufacturer to
comfortably supply his wants In almost
any grade In which he might find himself
short, by purchasing from the numerous
stocks held by dealers In various mar
kets. Such a condition is, however, a
thing Of the past and today a manufac-
lure turer laugh caught short OF leaf Is certainly
Old tobacco has completely disappeared
from dealers stocks and no one can show
why the 1917 crop should not be promptly
taken up as the season progresses.
At this writing 1t looks as If the grow
repeat the mistake which they have for
several years persisted in. that Is. the
rushing OF the crop to market In winter
In order to be offered for hurried sale
buyers. sure Of bargain prices. 1t is a
notorious fact that for some curious rea-
son thus far, the big Four" manufacture
Ing concerns which formerly composed
the American Tobacco Company. are only
nominally in the market, which is evil
denced by the small percentage Of the
offerings that Is being taken by their
buyers.
They advance as their reason that the
tobacco recently offered is not In mer-
charitable condition, and II this is true.
doesn't 1t clinch the argument that the
farmer must be materially benefited by
holding and redrying his crop?
farmer err in Kentucky, without T EXCEPTION pa
should keep his crop in his barn, redry
1t, and after 1t is thoroughly cured and is
at It's best. market 1t when II is likely to
bring Its intrinsic value?
How much tobacco is to be grown in
Kentucky in 1918 after the transfer to
the American army of all eligible farmer
boys? Surely not the 100000, 900 pounds
now. estimated as the necessary annual
production.
Consider this. Marketed at prevailing
prices. the 1917 crop of Kentucky tobacco
will yield to the farmers of the State APP
proximately $90,OOOO00. This same to-
bacco thoroughly cured and offered at its
best should Undoubtedly bring $25, 600 900
more money. Why not, therefore. keep
this great sum at home, when 1t requires
only patience and possibly some tempor-
airy self denial on the part Of the farmer
i has recently been reported to me by
reliable authority that prominent em-
ploye of one Of the principal leaf buying
organizations Of the country has stated
that with his knowledge of existing con-
ditions. he would not hesitate II he could
secure the money, to buy the entire Bur-
ley crop Of 1917, at an everage Of 80 cents
To prove that such was no idle state.
ment, It is only necessary to scan any
Courier journal daily market report and
note how many hogsheads are sold daily
on the Louisville market at an average
3" cents ants per and that by
1t will truly be great day for the
Kentucky farmer. when some argument |
can be found and used which will open |
his eyes to his opportunities.
America Is depended upon to supply |
practically all Of the leaf tobacco re- |
CURED by the countries now at war,
Prices Of all other necessities are soar
Ing. and there Is certainly at hand an OPP
PoTtuhity ior the topacco raiser 10 get lOr |
his product returns in proportion to those |
prevailing in other farm products
An authority high in the English Gov
eminent has recently classified tobacco |
as food, and advocates that 1t be abun-
dainty supplied to the soldiery OF the AL
lies. Kentucky produces about one-ninth
OF the worlds supply Of tobacco and
therefore the suggestion Of this English
man is significant to the farmers OF this
Commonwealth.
In conclusion beg leave to emphasize
my suggestion that every farmer in Ken.
lucky now holding tobacco keep the same
In his barn and redry II, with every pros
pect Of receiving much higher prices for
same when offered for sale In summer
order. Yours very truly,
ID. A. KELLER, President,
Louisville Tobacco Whse Co., Inc.