The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1920-12-07
TOBACCO GROWERS OPTOMISTIC
OVER THE PRICE OUTLOOK
81 See No Reason For Discourage.
ment" Says C. r. Thompson; 'Good
Leaf VIII Ne High Says Stivers.


Leaf VIII Ne High Says Stivers.
Lexington. KY, Dec. 6.-Fair prices,
to the extent of at least as much If not
more in proportion to other products
of the farmer, as expected by Charles
R. Thompson, tobacco grower and
warehouseman, to be realized by the
growers of Burnley tobacco for stheir
product.
'The tobacco sitution is in better
shape than many OF. the farmers think
it is" Mr.. Thompson said. There is a
great deal more good tobacco. of the
smoking varieties, than was at first
believed lifely. The manufactured pro-
duct is bringing good price; there is
no demand, so far as have heard or
read. for any reduction. and it is not
likely that tn manufacturers, enjoy
ing such condition of affairs as that,
will be likely to offer cut-throat prices
for the Kentucky crop.
Il do believe, however, that there
may be wider difference between the
prices offered for the good tobacco,
which constitutes large part of the
crop. and the lower grades, for which
there is likely to be little demand. If
the growers will offer good tobacco,
in my opinion they will get good
prices for it. see no reason for dis
enlargement in the situation.
ut is quite true that the crop this
year is light in weight My own will
not exceed thousand pounds to the
acre and l have about twenty-five
acres. Last year this land produced
1,2OO to $500 pounds to the acre. That
condition prevails throughout the
county, am told. VIII Preston weigh
ed some of his tobacco, with similar
result, and Bruce Ballinger, after
weighing sole of his hands. said he
would have about rs per cent of a
crop in weight see no reasons what
ever for expecting low tobacco mar
ket."
Luther Stivers, warehouseman, for
mer and City Commissioner. who grow
about so acres of tobacco this year.
said his land would not average over
1000 pounds to the acre Good to-
bacco will sell high" said Commits
sioner Stivers, but / do not know
what We shall do with the bad. As to
weight, do not think any of it will
run over 1000 pounds to the acre
where it reached $500 pounds last
year"
Mr.. Stivers said that, as grower as
lwell as a warehouseman, he took no
stock" in reports of a probable effort
on the part Of manufacturers to get
| the tobacco raised this year for moth
ing. He said that wouldn't be good
business for the manufacturers" and
for that reason be gave such reports
| no credence.
H. F. Hillenmeyer, weather and
horticultural expert, said that while
he did not himself grow tobacco he
had been informed by ydozens of far
mers that the crop was extremely
light, though Of good color.
That growers in neighboring coun-
| ties have not been stampeded into any
expectation of low prices is shown BY
the fact that offers of rs cents a pound
and even higher for the crop in some
counties are being refused. Willard F
Tillott, who owns farm in Robertson
county, near Mt Olivet, and who
raised about $4,000 pounds of tobacco
this year. declined an offer Of 25 cents
stright for his crop. Similar reports
have some from other sections of the
Burnley belt.
II. c. Grouse, representative of the
United States Tobacco Journal of New
York, who has made an exhaustive
study Of conditions for his paper for
the benefit Of the market and the gen.
ernl tobacco interest, and who has
consulted both growers and buyers
over the Burley district. says the Bur-
ley producers will have one of the
most valuable crops they ever raised
Mr.. Grouse thinks the percentage OF
high grade tobacco last year was CON-
partively low this year 1t will reach
go to 70 per cent. of tie entire crop.
Instead Of the pessimistic outlook
with which the hurley growers gener-
a ally regarded the market prospect for
this winter a month ago. decidedly
optimistic feeling has deeloped, espe-
cially since 1t has become known that
the tobacco crop Is really no larger
than the market can readily absorb
There is general approval, however. OF
the putting of Of the opening Of the
market. since II has enabled the facts
to be developed and presented to the
manufacturers and has proved that
there ia not nearly SO much tobacco by
weight In the hurley district as the
government and state crop cstimators
belieyeyed nj flrst 10 have been pro-