The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-25
TOBACCO ACREAGE INCREASE IS PREDICTED
BYSURVEY AMONG PREBLE COUNTY GROWERS

EATON. O., April % -Predictions
of an increase in tobacco acreage are
sneeral for Preble county according
to a survey made Monday. Estimates
OF the increase range from 10 to Is
per cent. up to as high as 25 per cent.
which many assert is the true figure.
The reason for the increased acre
age is usually given as the better rel
alive price that tobacco brought this
winter. as compared with other farm
products. Although the bulk of the
1920 crop sold at around Is cents. a
serious drop as compared with pre-
vious years. other products dropped
even more, making tobacco by far
the most profitable crop. No tobacco
growers could be bound who did not
plan to put out acreages at least equal
to last years crop, and many intend to
increase their paintings. One instance
was cited by Frank Gazell, of West
Alexandria, of a grower who planned
to put out II acres, whereas his last
years planting was only acres. For
the most part, however, GaZell, who
is government crop reporter, thought
that the increase probably would not
CASCCo ~ pei SSllt., DIS II "ouiSl ldl Sc
ly be due to each farmer putting out
an extra acre or so. Gazell bases his
predictions partly on the demand for
many farmers.
Forecasts Increase.
Mr.. Walker, of the Renel Brothers
reports of an increase, stating that
their sales of seed and conversations
with farmes support opinions thar
there will be an increase, possibly
amounting to IS per cent. Seed leal
will predominant, owing to a new
strain which they have imported al
though elsewhere as in West Alexan
dria and in the north end of Preble
reports are current that Spanish will
be more generally planted this year
seed leaf having black eye on &C
count of the differences in price.
Frank Blackford, of Colorado, also
stated that % per cent. increase in
acreage might be looked for, and thai
Spanish will be fay orite in his local
ity this year.
J. w. Sherer, who headed the tobac
co growers association year age
warns against heavy planting, saying
that a large production will result in
a price depression.
Gazell of West Alexandria, stated
that much old tabocco was still on
hand, buyer who stored in GaZell's
warehouse still having his 1919 crol
on hard and not having bought a case
for 1920. Many other warehouses are
said to have 1919 tobacco still on
hand, and predictions are made by
amateur and professional forecasters
that a good crop in 1921. with what
is till left from previous crops, will
result in a serious price depression.
Contradicts Surplus.
This impression of surplus is con
tradicted by Walker of the Eaton
warehouse, who says that although it
is usual for his company to carry
three crops of tobacco, they do not
even have any of the 1919 at present
Other large companies which carry
large stocks also are cleaned out, q
condition also true in the Meyers
warehouse of West Alexandria, an
other local warehouse of a large cor
poration.
Several farmers stated that they
were putting out from three to five
and six acres each. One with a SIX
acre planting had four acres last year
and other paintings range from no in