Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-06-12
SEES UNDUE ALARM
ON TOBACCO CROP
Mcfarland Thinks Years
Yield Will Be Trifle
Over Last Season
PLANTING ABOUT OVER
Farmers In Some Instances Little
Short of Plants, But County
Crop at Least
Equals 1886
PLANTING ABOUT OVER

Planting of tobacco had about been
completed in Vance and adjoining
counties today as another week of the
growing season ended, and fairly good
stands are reported With the finish
ing of this task, along with much of
the re-planting, made possible by the
generous showers at intervals during
the week, there was recurring talk,
too, of large crop. One grower gave
it as his opinion that the acreage
would be determined largely by the
quantity of plants available
But r. w. Mcfarland, sales super
visor of the Henderson market for the
coming season, said those who are
talk ing of large crops are unduly
alarmed. Mr.. Mcfarland has been in
the tobacco business in North Caro-
lima markets for many years, most of
the time as supervisor of sales. He
has won the reputation of making
/ ther unclllv fore *ts OF crop
yields, and sal today he NO. gl' tie
entire bright leaf production of the
United States this year would "hard-
ly exceed the 682,491, 900 pounds har-
vested last year"
with the intensive advertising in
every shape, form and fashion still
going on by the manufacturers Of
cigarettes and pipe tobacco, creating
annually new smokers and new mar
kets, everything will continue to be
lovely and the goose hanging high
for all of u.s." Mcfarland said.
Estimates and predictions as to the
size of the crop so far this season
have been largely guess work, McFar
land said He recalled that it has
been only few weeks since the press
Of the state carried stories Of farm
ers standing guard over their plant
beds at night to prevent stealing of
plants as the result of the shortage
created lty blue mold, especially in
Eastern Carolina and on the border
belt He said he mentioned this to
a large tobacco grower in Nash coun-
ty a few days ago, and the grower re-
piled, well that might have been
so several weeks ago, but if any shot
guns are now needed it's to keep
them from planting too much tobacco
now" 1t was this viewpoint that
prompted McFarland's prediction that
there was undue alarm over the sit
uation.
Several generous rains during the
past week have greatly improved the
situation in this county and section.
While much of the tobacco set earlier
in the month died for want of mois-
ture most of this has been replanted
now and only in scattered incidents
have growers found themselves I'M
able to obtain sufficient plants to
meet their requirements.
There is a general feeling that the
market is in good position to absorb
a slight increase in production, and
that a moderate increase will not
seriously affect prices downward. In
creased consumption, with it's conse-
quent stepping up of production by
the manufacturers, and a slight i'm
prOvement in foreign demand, except
in China, is expected to be enough to
absorb whatever increase there may
be in the years total yield, unless tt
seasons prove to be ideal for growing
and result in an actual production
greater than seems at all likely.
Hail has been uncOmmonly fire.
quent during the past few weeks, but
fortunately it has not been serious
enough to do any widespread general
damage, partly because of the mild
storms and partly due to the fact that
the plants are not yet large enough
to suffer greatly. Moreover, farmers
have been more eager than usual to
protect themselves by insurance a
gainst hail and other FRANKS of the
elements.
At the present time, all indications
point to fairly satisfactory season,
with fairly good prices when the crop
goes on the market next fall