The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-24
BY WILLIAM r. sANsoRN.


CINCINNATI, April 24.--As previ-
ously indicated in our review of the
tobacco leaf situation, the tendency Is
to organize and to reduce acreage: Our
friends in the cigar leaf sections may
not be aware that this is also true as
to the Burley growers, and as to the
various tobacco growing districts in
the south; but it is.
AT Lexington, KY, the center OF
large Burley production, they are at
work on u combination of farmers and
warehousemen "for the purpose Of linn
iting production of tobacco, so as to
stabilize prices" We know OF no
other instance among associations Of
growers where the warehousemen have
been included in the membership.
Increased Acreage Indicated.
The Lexington district Is not the
only one in Kentucky where producers
are agitating reduction in acreage.
But regardless OF this fact the State
Commission of Agriculture estimates
an increase of IA per cent in Burley
acreage this year,-that is say the out
look is for 113 against SO at this time
in 1918. AS to Dark tobaccos the in
crease promises to be still larger,
judging from seed bed culture and
acreage being prepared for planting.
This is of interest to Ohioans be-
cause lot of this tobacco is again
likely to be "processed" ard used as
filters for cheap cigars.
Louisville Sounds Warning.
At a meeting of Kentucky Loose
Leaf Tobacco Warehousemen a few
days ago, at Louisville, seventy-six be-
came members of the new association.
And this was their decision as sent out
TO the farmers: UNLESS growers heed
the advice to cut down crop acreage,
disaster lies ahead of tobacco raisers."
This was the consensus Of opinion OF
those present, following debate on
the general situation.
The Kentucky warehousemen have
been pretty good to the farmers in the
past. They have used millions of dol
lars in carrying over their patrons
from season to season. II is stated
that this course will not be followed
In the future, but as to the reasons for
disseminating this form Of help we
are unable to state.
What Washington Says.
Plunging in tobacco to the neglect
OF food crops is mot justified by the
present tobacco situation" In the view
of the department Of agriculture at
washington. The department de-
scribes prevailing conditions as "dlf-
fcult," and this applies to all classes
of leaf production, we suppose. The
men at Washington point to the fact
that the country has grown three large
crops in succession, with no decided
shortage in any Of the leading types,
and that recent high prices were caus.
ed by abnormal conditions. which can
not be counted on to enhance prices
in future.
North Carolina Leaf
The 1918 crop of North Carolina leaf
has practically been closed out and
growers realized about 100,000,000,
which is whole lot OF money, In that
state. The packers and warehouse
men were worked to the limit for lab
or has been scarce and wages high
Well. all these are advising farmers
to plant plenty Of food crops this year
and to fill in with tobacco only to the
extent of acreage they can take care
Of
In the main that would be good ad-
vice at any time. The tobacco you
can properly take care Of, from seed
bed to case, is the tobacco which Is
the most coveted by buyers and this
brings in the most money.
We have gone thus broadly into de-
tails because the tobacco crops of
the country always "in.erlock" to
some degree, for the various treat
ments and dopes the leaf is "hocus-
Focused" when there is money in such
manipulation.
But, at the worst there is no sub
stitute for tobacco, and this is particu-
larly true as to cigar leaf. The pipe
smoker may burn an alfalfa mixture.
in days of scarcity, but in the manu-
facture of cigars the limit is the sub
stitution of one kind of leaf for an
other; but it must be tobacco.
Has No Competitor.
Tobacco stands alone; in a class by
itself, and without a competing pro-
duct. Neither the ups and downs of
the prices of live stock, of any food
product, nor Of any article of need
or luxury affects the demand for, nor
the price of tobacco.
In view of this fact and of the
worlds crying need for this crop, the
time should come when prices will be
stabilized to the comfortable profit Of
all concerned. This is the business
view of the whole matter. Certain
types of leaf can be grown only in
certain soils and in a restricted area.
This is self evident Better tobacco
farming and closer bond of union by
those most directly concerned should
bring about better conditions for all