The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-04-11
NOTE BOOK SKETCHES

Close to third of the 1918 tobacco
crop of the state was still in the hands
of growers on April 1st. This is by far
larger proportion than packers who
have invested large sums would care to
see left in country hands, especially at
time when it is uncertain that a lag
ging movement will take over the un-
sold remnants. There is menace in
such situation that the trade likes to
avoid if possible. But the tremendous
large production last year puts an al
most hopeless burden on the packers to
see the thing through to the end. Most
dealers have. gone the utmost
limit of their warehouse facilities,
leaving the stemmers largely to fix the
price on the balance of the crop. In
any event it seems likely that larger
amount must be carried over the sum-
mer on the farms than usual which as
a general proposition does not add any
to it's quality.
An interview with a New York deal
er recently published in trade paper
contains the following observations:
''The sharp issue between the farmers
and the rest of the tobacco industry
upon the price question, and the stub
bornness with which both sides are
sticking to their guns will result in the
ascertainment of the true value of the
crop, which wouldn't have been the
case if either side had been weak
kneed. The organization of the farm
ers cooperative packing associations
has not thrown any scare into the more
thoughtful members of the packing
fraternity. For one thing. for the
packers to have taken up the 1913 crops
completely, even at reasonable prices,
would have required mighty big out
lay of money, at time when money is
high, and when most conservatively
managed concerns prefer not to extend
themselves. Now, most of the tobacco
that the packers do not buy will be
taken care of by the farmers associa-
tions. and will constitute good sized
portion of the 1918 packings. The
packers are not afraid that the farmers
will be able to offer better terms, TAX
ing into consideration such things as
accommodation, shortage, etc., than
they can, if so good; and if the farm
ers sell for cash, the packers can do
the same thing. In fact, so far are
the 8ackers from being hostile to the
cooperative idea, they would be very
glad to see it make success.
X"
Editor Reporter: In The Reporter
of March 21st, 1919, read with inter-
est the article and statement in regard
to the cost of raising tobacco crop
under war-time conditions of high labor.
The statement | think should have been
itemized so that it would show the ex-
act time (or nearly so) required to do
the work and at cost per hour for labor
both for men and teams, also the dis
tance the farm is located from market.
No one can market over 40, 900 pounds
of tobacco, hauling it the average dis
tance to market, for eight dollars. The
fact that the account was audited by
the probate court does not prove that
it is the correct cost of raising a crop
of tobacco. The rent for 81 acres of
land, shed and lath is $751. Is or $40. 80
per acre. This must be too low, for
way back in 1889 we let five acres of
average tobacco land for 500. 90, includ-
ing shed and lath, and was at that time
the going price. Land has doubled in
value since then and I think $500 is
not far from right for the 1918 crop.
I have prepared the following state
ment of cost of raising the 1918 crop of
tobacco under wartime conditions of
high labor and ask for space for publi-
cation in your valuable paper.