Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-01-29
NOTHING DOING in WEED
TOBACCO MOVEMENT SEEMS ABB
SOLUTELY AT STANDSTILL
Dealers Claim Inferior Quality-Grow-
ers Determined to Hold Crops
for Higher Prices


The tobacco situation is apparently
at complete standgtill. We are un-
able to learn of any endeavor on part
of local buyers to pick up crops. The
bad roads have cut down delivery of
crops, only those coming in which are
notified to do so by the warehouse men
The dealers claim that much of it is in
such poor condition that the work is
slow and unsatisfactory. Growers
maintain that the quality is average
and does not warrant cut prices.
Some have even taken their crops back
home, and all evidence a strong in
tention of hanging onto their weed"
until the demand shall shoot prices
higher.
Of the tobacco situation elsewhere
in the state the Edgerton Tobacco Re-
porter comments: The receiving of
the early purchases is proceeding in a
moderate manner, which is releasing
a large amount of ready cash which
even the tax collectors are glad to take
their toll from. More warehouses. are
being opened at the packing points
and help organized for the seasons
work.
Having decided to hold their tobac-
co for stated price, it will be up to
the growers shortly to arrange to car
ry it over the summer without deter
ioration or loss, for it is too valuable
product to be held in bundles in
sheds and subject to the elements. The
crop should either be sorted and pack
ed in the regular way or laid loosely
in cases and stored away for sweating
during the summer. Of course grow
ers who have not time to care for the
e., Al
co handled for them at the farmers
warehouses in various parts of the
state. OF course the expense of hand
ling will be high this season, that is
expected, but no grower can afford to
neglect his tobacco or permit it to de-
teriOrate while waiting for a market
to come to him. If the buyers do not
come to him to pay the price be-
fore the crop should be packed, there
is nothing to do but carry out the pro-
gram laid down at these meetings
sort and pack the crop. Not all the
growers who still have their tobacco
are prepared to put up their crop and
wait for later market.
If the growers determined TO hold
their tobacco over the season, then the
logical thing to do is to start move
ment at once to cut the acreage for
the coming year. Wisconsin raised
the largest crop in its history in 1918
and if it cannot be sold at what the
farmer considers profitable price,
why go on and grow as much in 1919? =
To Investigate Tobacco Situation
Both houses of the legislature, on
Tuesday. adopted resolution memoir
ializing the federal trade commission
to investigate conditions of the tobac-
co market. The resolution points out
that during the fall of 1918 tobacco
was selling for 40 cents a pound and
that it dropped to 20 cents pound
following the signing of the armistice.
Mr. Hanson author of the resolution.
wants to know why. He will ask the
trade commission to make report to
the Wisconsin Legislature.
TOBACCO GROWERS ATTENTION
A meeting of the representative to-
baeco growers from the tobacco grow
ing districts of the state will be held
in the city of Madison, at the College
of Agriculture, Saturday, February /,
at 10 a. m. Ways and means will be
devised to enable the growers to ham
die and dispose of their crops without
being subjected to the l1IinOusly low
prices now being offered by the buyers.
Arrangements will be made to finance
Tho growers until their crops are fin
ally disposed Of Resolutions will be
passed asking the federal trade COM
mission to investigate the tobacco
trust and probe it to its very folllda-
tions. In all probability state wide
organization will be formed with au-
thority TO build warehouses and f.
nance the association. Farmers are
advised to stand together now or soon
er or later they viii be forced to quit
growing tobacco. 1t has been esti-
mated that the cost of tobacco pro.
duction the past year averaged pc
per pound. You cannot afford to grow
it at present prices.
meeting of the tobacco growers
of Vernon county will be called soon
to discuss the situation here and take
such action as may seem advisable.
Representatives from this county will
attend the Madison meeting
ID. o. MAHONEY. Pres.