The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-07-07
THURSDAY, JULY Z, 1921.
EARLY OPENING URGED
FOR S. C. MARKET
CURING is REPORTED FAR AID.
VANCED IN THE LOWER
COUNTIES.

The opening of the tobacco markets
as early as buyers can be induced to
come onto the floor was urged in
the meeting of the executive commit
tee of the South Carolina Tobacco AS
sociation in Florence Saturday. A
committee of three was appointed to
present this matter to the South Caro-
lima warehousemen who convened in
Florence Saturday, when they fixed
definitely the date of opening the
1921 season.
In a wire to T. M. Darlington, pres
ident of the United States Tobacco
Association, which is now in session
in Washington, D. c., the date of open
ing the markets this year wa set
fourth quite fully as follows:
1--WE wish to request your consid-
Grafton for opening the South Carroll
M market as early as possible when
buyers representing all companies will
be present. We further wish to call
your attention to the fact that the to-
bacco crops in lower counties is more
forward and the curing is further ad-
vanced than for some years, 10 days
earlier than last year, and also the
urgent need of funds"
Col. D. A. Spivey, of Conway, re-
ported that his section needs mar
ket not later than July IL to IA. The
sentiment was strong for late open
ing, possibly as late as July 26. AS a
compromise July 50 is considered the
probable date, many members of the
committee stated subsequently.
w. J. Stem, of Darlington, president
of the South Carolina Tobacco Ware
housemens association, introduced
the problem of fixing an opening date
by stating that the warehousemen gen
orally do not expect any other buyers
in the market this year than the old
line companies, the financial condi-
tons having virtually frozen out the
independents and spectators. He pre-
sented a number of letters from these
companies, all of whom urged late
opening. The problem before the as
sociation is that if the markets are
opened early, contrary to wishes of
the old line companies, they may not
send their buyers here. In the event the
market opens without buyers, they
apprehend a severe, if not disastrous,
slump in the opening Of the market.
This was considered very carefully.
Effective this year, the date of the
annual meeting Of the South Carolina
Tobacco Association will be within
two weeks after the opening of the
market, by resolution passed.
The outlook for the season was dis
cussed very fully and frankly Satur-
day. Without exception, these lead
ers in the tobacco industry urged
special attention to quality this year.
"Our consumption this year, or mar
ket." said Walter E. Lee, of Timmons-
vile, "is going to be domestic. We
DO not expect any export buying. Our
domestic trade demands only a well
cured, high grade leaf. Green, burn
ed, sandy and inferior tobacco cannot
possibly SELL"
A resolution was also passed re-
questing the South Carolina Extension
Service to aid more actively in TO-
bacco welfare propaganda. Steps were
taken to have the state college pro-
cure a tobacco specialist and to pre-
pare mailing list of $4,000 names of
tobacco growers in the belt. Grading
and topping with other improved cul-
tural methods also are to be empha-
sized in this eft 1t.
Mr.. Madison, county agent for Will
hamsburg county, urges observance
of the follwing points in preparing
tobacco for market:
First: 1t will be useless waste OF
time and money to harvest the lower
"plant bed" leaves or inferior "lugs".
Of course this does not mean that
none of the lower leaves are desirable,
but the cheap, trashy leaves and such
leaves as become burnt would best