The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-12
, SOME PLANTERS IN LANCASTER
SELLING CROP FOR IS CENTS

, to which all the growers were invited,
and to whom it was explained that
such an organization as proposed was
needed to sustain prices, it being
conceded that the prices offered by
the Independent packers were entirely
too low in view of the cost of raising
and marketing the crop. The result
Of this meeting was an organization
capitalized at 100000, some of the
stock in which was sold at the first
and at subsequent meetings. We be-
lieve, however, that the total amount
has not yet been issued and the stock
is still on sale. The new organization
does not obligate itself to buy tobacco
from stockholders, but will act in all
respects the same as an Independent
packer. On the other hand, members
are not obligated as to selling their
crops. It's worth noting too that the
association, when 1t does buy, buys at
the "low price" as quoted by independ-
ent buyers. 1t is likely that their
capital will be largely increased from
time to time, providing the associa-
ton Is successful in its methods and
shows an ability to pay dividends Not
all farmers have been willing invest
ors, but the stock is gradually being
taken. In another chapter of this
story we will go into greater detail,
not only with reference to this partic-
ular new organization for packing to-
bacco. but also as to the township and
county organizations, because these
facts will be Illuminating to Ohio
growers.
Acreage and Prices.
Strange to state, there never have
been an accurate survey made Of the
acreage of Lancaster county, devoted
to tobacco. 1t is figured that 1t was
somewhat in excess of 10000 acres in
1913, but as to acreage really planted,
men who are best informed tell US it
Is but guess. A survey will be made
this year and a careful estimate OBJ
tanned as to the number Of pounds pro-
duced in 1919. 1t Is moral certainty
that the acreage is to be reduced let
US say conservatively, from Is to 20
per cent. in this tobacco belt, which
includes Lebanon, Berks and York
counties. The production in these
counties is limited. The acreage was
increased in some of them on account
of war time demands and prices, but
many farmers in Lebanon and Berks
counties will drop out of the tobacco
business this year; fair amount will
be grown in York county, as usual.
With reference to the 1918 crop,
Mr.. r. S. Bucher, county agricultural
agent. says that the best informed
men in the trade estimate the 1918
crop at 100000 pounds. This, too,
w ic al l,rfa
far as we can learn, because reliable
statistics of any kind are lacking. We
shall perhaps be able to give closer
as to amount of tobacco still in farm
ers' hands within day or two. Four
types Of tobacco are grown here; the
first, the Weaver type, at one time
very popular, is not largely planted
at this time. Next came the Hoffman,
a very large heavy leaf, after which
the Espenshade became popular. The
leading leaf today, and which has
probably done more than any other to
build up the reputation of Lancaster
tobacco, is the Slauter. 1t yields
heavily, is less susceptible to pole
burn, cures nicely and burns well.
The leaf is narrower than that Of the
other varieties named and also small
Ter. Some growers have raised 1000
pounds to the acre of this leaf for
years in succession. The high record,
we believe, is $500 pounds, which one
grower harvested one season only.
The average may be given as about
400 pounds to the acre.
The claim made in the west that
the Lancaster crop Of 1918 was an ex-
ira fine one is not borne out by our
investigation. Men in the trade here
have admitted it's poor burning quail
ty, not as a whole, but as to large
percentage. Expert packers explain
that forced sweat improves the
leaf materially and that it will burn
freely when properly cured. This
means that there are two sides to the
story, and the writer does not claim
to be an authority. One thing is GER
tain that the poor condition of large
part of the crop has been reflected in
the market. The production of tobac-
co in this county has increased al
most continuously for the past Is
years, 1917 being the banner year as
to both acreage and price.
The Present Situation.
What we are all most interested in
is the present price of Lancaster leaf.
Candidly, there doesn't seem to be
any present price. No two men seem
to agree on what the balance of the
crop on hand is worth or will bring.
More than that, some of the largest
growers have refused to sell at con-
siderably higher figures than they
could possibly obtain today. The ma
jority of these men are packing their
own tobacco and will store it until
they are more in the mood for selling
This much can be stated authorize
lively: A lot of farmers have sold
during the present week at Is cents.
A still greater number have sold for
less money. We understand it to be
fact that difference of three cents
per pound has been paid this week to
farmers whose tobacco was OF the
same quality, and whose fields prac-
tically adjoin. This in brief, means
that the selling Of tobacco. at this
time, is matter of barter and argu-
ment, and also of a necessity. The
men who can hold tobacco and await
events are very likely to do so unless
there Is material advance, Of which,
we are frank to state, there is little
OF