The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-16
cy WILLIAM r. sANBoRN

LANCASTER, Pa, April 14.-While
II is true, in a broad sense, that Ohio
and Pennsylvania leaf are competi-
tive as filters" and that both growths
are so used in all parts Of the coun-
try. II Is also true that, in another
way, they do not compete at all.
There are many manufacturers. for
instance, and some of them right in
the Lancaster district, who never use
& pound Of Lancaster leaf. These are
partial TO Little Dutch, or thinner,
and make line of mild, sweet smok-
ing brands on which they have built
both reputation and fortune. In such
cases the Lancaster crop cuts no
figure; they buy Ohio leaf, regardless.
And the reverse Of this is true, no
doubt, as to another class or make of
cigars, where Pennsylvania leaf is the
favorite. In some instances the filters
are a blend, for there arc many COM
binations.
But should either OF these impor-
tant crops fail, that would be another
story. 1t would turn the cigar making
trade topsy turvy, and send prices
liting. 1t is a fact, however. that the
price OF Ohio tobacco Is carefully bal
anced against that of the Lancaster
two great filler" crops are juggled
by buyers to maintain a balance OF
lowest possible average. There is
nothing strange in that, Of course. The
tobacco packer wants the lowest mar
ket on which to buy. He is a specu-
lator. Everything about tobacco grow
ing, packing and carrying until fit for
use, is in all respects gamble. 1t
is a gamble. too, which has broken
many men who have packed on fall
ing market. Poor crops and low prices
have both impoverished many a grow.
err, whose hard work has gone for
little, because Of drouth. or too much
rain, or too early frost.
Lancaster Growers Meet.
An important and largely attended
meeting of the Lancaster County
Growers Association was held in this
city today. The meeting was designed
to bring out the facts as to the
number of acres" still in the farm
ers' hands, the prices buyers are Of
fering and as much of tobacco leaf
data as was available. Men from all
parts of the county reported briefly
as to conditions, and 1t was soon made
evident that the buying has been
very "spotty," and that the best to-
bacco has been largely sold in many
townships, that is to say the cream
of the crop has been taken in out
of the wet, in the better part OF the
districts where the men who report
ed reside. But even SO, there are
corners here and there where no to-
bacco worth mentioning has been dis
posed of, because it was supposed that
the quality did not recommend 1t,
while the top grades could be pur-
chased at such moderate prices as
have ruled of late Not a man pres
ent admitted that his leaf was OF the
unburnable asbestos" type. but 1t
was tacitly admitted that there is
percentage of undesirable leaf over
wide area of the GAL square miles IN
this county. This, we arrived at, not
so much from what was said, but from
what was mostly left unsaid by those
reporting.
A Prosperous Looking Crowd.
There were no growers present hav-
ing a lean and hungry look" They
were as we'll dressed and prosperous
looking lot as one could wish to meet,
and probably are comfortably fixed in
the main. Some present were city
farmers" or at least farm owners,
whose tenants work on share basis.
This was evident when the discus
sion as to the reduction of acreage
warmed up. One man stated that on
n rising leaf market every tenant
clamored for increased tobacco ground
and that when tobacco ruled low
in price, they just naturally wanted
to cut the acreage. He maintained
that this problem would solve itself,
and that anyway, regardless OF all
kinds OF resolutions, that many men
would do just as they pleased as to
planting. The consensus of opinion,
however, favored a % per cent re-
duction in acreage; LESS and better
tobacco" being clearly the sentiment
of the largest growers.
In all the broad discussion OF their
subject, strangely enough, not word
was said as to what it costs to raise
tobacco at war time labor expense,
nor as TO the cost of fertilizers, etc.
Nor did any man ever hint as to what
price he must obtain in order to make
a profit or to avoid loss.
There was no vehement talk, no
shouting, no blaming of buyers, nor
any mention whatsoever OF any pack
ers or other buyers combinations to
sweat the price.
To Hold or to Sell?
1t is clearly apparent that many OF
the growers are beginning to pack
the balance of their unsold crops. In
some instance there is a pooling OF in
terests by small growers to secure
cases and expert packers. In other
cases the district associations or the
Lancaster men who are working in
cooperation as previously noted in
this correspondence, are assisting at
country points, or are going to in
future.
In a word the ''hold-your-tobacco"
idea is taking root aad the effect
should soon be felt
Just how much leaf remains to be