LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SOURCE X^U_r;4^--+W-^Qs /■/ V, ^ "^he New England TbBACCo Grower VOL. IV. No. J HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, SEPTEMBER, J 903 $J.OO A YEAR THe Broadleaf Demand: a Feature of 1903 CONNECTICUT broadleaf is the center of interest in tlie domestic leaf market today, liotli the 1903 croi) from warehouse to 1903 crop moviiifj The buyers are in for the new croi), which is moving factory, and the from field to shedi eager competition and growers willing to sell in the field are finding it easy to do so. While the old broadleaf towns are the ones chiefly c o n c e me d, the situation is no less in- teresting to the growers in general, as in d ic a t i n g the scarcity of leaf in the market, and the growers of Havana seed are shar- ing the satis- faction. No less than a dozen b n y e r s, o r their repre- se n ta t i ve s, have put in a very busy two weeks visiting the sec- tion "east of the river," and comiiet- ing with each other for certain crops. And the prices that are being offered are such as will bring gladness to the heart of any grower who is fortunate enough to be growing broadleaf this season. Prices ranging from 3.5 to yo cents a pound, assorted, are being ofilered and some of them are being accepted, and as a prominent grower remarked to the writer, "any grower who is willing to accept 35 cents a pound for his tobacco can get it and no questions a.sked." Notwithstanding that these prices are being titfered, some of the growers steadfastly refuse to accept them be- lieving that if prices are as good as this now, there can be no harm in waiting a while 'before selling; the wisilom of this move can better be determined later. The following is a list of sales made to date: H. M. Pitkin sold two acres at 34 cents through, Spencer Burnh'am sold seven acres at 3.5 cents through to Taylor & Son of Westfield, Albert Long sold eight aci'es to the same dealers at 3.5 cents, Thomas Murray sold seven acres at 37 J-^ cents, J. E. Lathrop sold 80 acres to W. L. Huntting & Co., East Hartford, at 37 cents, Mrs. L. Lallej- sold nine acres at 3.5 cents, Malone Brothers, eight acres to L. B. Haas, Hartford, at 38 cents, J. L- Newton sold 3.5 acres to Huntting & Co. at 30 cents, Frank Prior .sold six acres to Huntting & Co. at 30 cents, Nathaniel Jones sold ten acres at a price reported about 3.5 cents and W. F.Andross sold five acres to Sutter Brothers at 25 cents through. All these sales are made with the an der stan d- ing that the g r o w e r as- sorts his own crop. A promin- ent grower in East Hart- ford, when asked his opinion as to the future of 1 ir o a d 1 e a f said, ■ "Broad- leaf is a very scarce article on the market at present, in fact the market is bare of that type of tobacco and with the 1903 crop short, as it is sure to be, I feel safe in saying that the grower who raises broadleaf in 1904 will realize even more on it than he does this season, and further, I believe that this kind of tobacco will be the projier type to raise for some time to come, or until something is grown to take its place. The demand seems certain to continue and the growers should meet it.'" THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Spears, Tobacco Needles, Tobacco Twine, Tobacco Hatcbets ^£^ L-atb Holders A. full line at CLAPP Sr TREAT'S, GS State Street, (Courant Building') Hartford. - - Connecticut The Dandy Windiiiill tanks and towers are the best in the world. We carry a full line of these mills, pumps and tanks at Springfield, and are in position to put up a complete outfit of any size. If you are thinking of buy- ing a windmill, be sure to write to us for catalogues, prices and full infor- mation. We are sole agents for the State of Connecticut for the Challenge line. THE AGRICULTURAL STORE, (b. l. bragg co.) Springfield - - Massachusetts Banking by Mail. If you're living out of town, or it's not convenient for you to call at the bank, you can do your banking by mail. The two-cent stamp supplies you the messenger — a safe, si- lent and prompt messenger. But when you are in town, you'll find the American Na- tional Bank most convenient, — across the street from the City Hall. America" HftBanK Joseph H King. ^^^13S^f: William J Dixon President 0 Cashier OPPOSITE aniM«.», Ctocitt hahtforo, CITY hall 803 Main street, coNti Enfield Cutting commenced August '35. There is no rust and the appearance of the crop is good. No sales made of new tobacco yet. Walter B. Sheldon made a sale of 50 cases of 1902 crop; price not stated. It is hard to get help for harvesting. G. S. Parsons and 1 spent a (i-Ay recently over in Tolland County looking for help. We found but one man that we could get. The crop is sounder than any for the past five years. Joseph Watson, Carson & Alden, G. S. Parsons, Welch Brothers, John Carson, Clark & Lewis, and A. H. Potter have as big tobacco as is grown any year These crojis are all in School District No. 12. P. Suffield, River Street Cutting began here August 18. The tobacco is sound and of fair growth. At this writing the crop is a few days earlier than that of 1903. Some pieces have a few foxtails. The crop is not up to last year's as regards growth, but is free from worm holes and flea bites. This is the soundest crop that has been raised in years. The quality can better be determined after curing. W. E. B. Crop Conditions The Department of Agriculture, Biireau of Statistics, iirepared the following table of tobacco crop con- ditions up to August 1 : July 1, Aug., 1, Aug. 1, 1903. 1903. 1902. New Hampshire. 90 9,5 104 Vermont .93 93 Massachusetts ... 95 84 86 Connecticut 95 90 90 New York 93 93 87 Pennsylvania.... 93 96 94 Maryland 90 84 88 Viiginia 84 81 77 North Carolina. . 83 83 85 South Carolina. . 88 84 91 Georgia 88 96 76 Florida 93 90 73 Alabama 95 92 59 Mississippi 88 91 64 Louisiana 90 95 73 Texas 95 93 73 Arkansas 85 84 91 Tennessee 87 86 74 West Virginia... 83 89 90 Kentucky 84 80 77 Ohio 87 85 91 Michigan 86 86 Indiana 85 84 90 Illinois . 91 87 92 Wisconsin 91 94 98 Iowa . . 100 Missouri 86 85 93 Nebraska .. 110 Colorado . . 57 Washington . . 70 Indian Territory. . . . . 75 United States 8."). 1 8'3.9 Buckland The 1903 orov>, which, aside from the shade-grown raised by the Connec- ticut Sumatra Tobacco Company, is wholly broadleaf, is about the average as regards size. It is as sound a crop as ever grew, being free from rust and calico. Growers began harvesting abont August 34, which is a week or ten days late. There are no recent sales of old or new tobacco. O. W. PATENTS OBTAINED For informatiorit write to Ralph Sturtevant WarfieW, SOO H St., N. W., Washington, D. C. fJEJtDQUARTERS FOR ... Tob acco Instirance F. F. SMALL & CO., 95 Pearl St. HERTFORD, CO\M. 0\ir Catalogtxe SHows: j^ j^ America's Larg^esl and Best PouUry Plant. The Best Hen Houses that exist. The way to make PouUry Keeping- Pay. How to raise chicks with smallest loss. How we achieved our success. How to construct the most scientiBc and up-to-date Brooding- Houses, Laying- Houses, Colony Houses, Incubator Cel- lars, Etc., and also how to scientifically feed and care for fowl and chicks, insur- ing- g-reatest profit. You get all this — a mine of useful informa- tion, and also a number of beautiful half- tone photos of the famous Pu.ritari Plant Absolutely Free on Request, Free Catalogue Means: That we do not ask you to buy goods from us and then make you pay for the adver- ment that got your trade. It is not right for any manufacturer to charge for infor- mation regarding his goods— IT SHOULD BE FREE. He Poriian Poultrj Farms, Box 557 Q, STJfMFORD. COMM. Andrews & Peck^ MANUFACTURERS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Doors, Windows and Blinds. Manufacturers' Agents for Akron Sewer Pipe and Land Tile. We make a specialty of hotbed sash. Office, 88 MarKet Street, MiU: Charter Oak and Vrcdcndale Avenues, HARTFORD, CONN. '^he New Cn^land Tobacco Grower HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, SEPTEMBER, 1903 Time of Harvest Reports on tHe 1003 Crop as It Appears in Field and SHed Westfield Cutting in tins vicinity was a little earlier than usual. Saiifitrd & Son were the first to eut, begimiiui? August 13. Charles Austin and Henry Boss- hardt were also among the early ones. The general ajipearanee of the erop is one to be proud of. No better tobaceo has been raised in years, if one .judges by the general appearance. All the lots have some poor spots, but the large growth and color are extra fine. Selectman Bush. Bert Fowler, L. F. Thayer and K. A. Dearden are among those having fine crops. No rust to amount to anything. Help is plentiful and the harvesting season for 1!)08 began in real earnest the week of August 24. One old time grower said the other day in the writer's hearing: "Well! the croj) is looking fine, no worms, no hoppers, no hail, precious little calico, sound as a drum-head and no sweat weather so far. I w(jnder what those fellows will have to say is the matter with the crop when they come around, in one of those machines that make more noise than a cotton factory, to look at your crop and i_)lJ:er you the price you paid for your fertilizer? I guess this year we've got 'em.'' All the writer could say was, "'Amen." Hillside. Simsbury The harvesting of the 1908 crop of tobacco has commenced, and while the crop as a whole is not so large in growth and leaf as last year, it is sound and fiee from worms and looks well when hung in the building, and with a favorable season for curing will produce a laige per cent, of light wrapiiers. There are some very fine crops of tobacco in this town this j-ear. The growth is equal to any of our best j'ears and it is holding its color well. Tobacco this season seems to do best in medium heavy land where the fertilizer can not leach so much as on lighter soil. There have been two sales of the 1908 crop, that of E. F. St. John to Ariel Mitchelson at 30 cents in the bundle, and that of Erwin Chase to George Mitchelson at p. t, , but over 30 cents. Mapleton The harvesting of tobacco in thi.s vicinity is later than in former years. Cutting is now under way. The general appearance is fairly good, the leaf is sound l)ut rather undersized, which I suppose is n<.) objection to the manufacturer. No rust this year, but there are some spotted plants, as there are every year. I think the best use for such lilants is to leave them on the field. Willard Sikes has sold his 1903 crop and one bale of shade-grown Sumatra to Haitfor''«^''^5i- ^5i-'55i--'5a^- •^!^-'==:,-^5»- '^^•^^•'5a,- ^Si-'^--^-^-" Hinsdale Cutting ia this section has begnu. Day & Pike are harvesting their to- bacco. Some crops are early and some late. The general appearance is good, ^vith no rust. Some buyers have been around but no sales of old or new have been made. There has been no trouble with get- ting lielp so far. The 1903 crop compares favorably vpith last year's crop. D. Conway, Massachusetts Tobacco in this vicinity is about ten days late on account of the cold un- seasonable VFeather. It is a very sound leaf, as there have been no worms or grasshoppers, and no rust. There have been no sales of this year's crop. U. F. Elmer and H. T. Newhall have sold their 11)02 crop at 10 cents and pay for assorting and casing. Good help for harvesting is hard to get. C. P. West Hatfield At this date, Augnst 20, cutting is in full blast. Charles Warner has about finished harvesting his 1903 crop and had a very good growth. Tobacco on medium land looks the best. There has been no rust or damage to the crop by worms. The buyers have bought no crops of hew tobacco as yet. There have been a few sale of old tobacco recently, prices not stated. We have no trouble insetting Don't buy your help. The 1903 crop does not show so rank a growth as that of some years. With good curing weather it ought to be the best of quality. The early out is cur- ing down a very nice color. B. West Suf field Cutting is about 10 days later than last year. Messrs. Whittemore, Martin and Ude began harvesting the croji August 10. Quite a few buyers have been around looking over the crops, but with no talk of buying or prices. Help is pleutiful. W. In Mew Quarters The Mapes Formula and Peruvian Ounao Company, of which H. H. Stafford is manager, has moved its office and store house from 24a State Street, Hartford, where it has been located for the last 26 years, to num- ber 239, almost directly opposite. The building formerly occupied by this firm, with a number of others at that end of State street, will soon to be torn down to make way for the proposed new boulevard to connect the lower end of State street with the new bridge, now under construction, be- tween Hartford and East Hartford. Charleniont H. C. Booth's two-acre crop has made fine growth and goes into the shed in excellent condition. TOBACCO TAVINE, TOBACCO PAPER or T>VINE FOR SEW^ING TENTING CLOTH before calling on E.TUCKER'* SONS, too Trumbull street. Martford, - - Cot\i\ecticut Advertising; As a Specialty. Skill in advertising comes with training and experience, the same as skill in any other line of business. Advertising is our specialty: good advertising, the advertising that pays. We make it pay; our clients are frank to admit that. Let us refer you to some of them: or, better yet, let us talk vfith you about your own particular advertising problem. JoHnstone Bdvertisiog Bgency, (INiJORPIlKATED.) Hartford Fire Insurance Building, Hartford, >jf Connecticut. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Italian E^xperiments Introdtaction of Cigarette Tobacco Gro-vving in tHe Province of Lecce ^ONSUL COCOTO has just ^■^ supplieil to ths British Ftyeign Office an account of experiments in the growing of cigarette tobacco in Lecce, Italy. He states that about ten j'ears ago, on the public state requiring large quantities of Oriental tobacco cigar- ettes, the department decided to insti- tute a series of experiments in this province, in order to ascertain whether it was possible to produce such to- baccos in the country, instead of im- porting them. It was reflected that the province of Lecce lay in approxi- mately the same latitude as Greece and Turkey, from which countries supplies were drawn for the requirements of the department as to cigarette making. By observation it was found that the elements were entirely favorable as to climate, dominating winds and rain- fall, and that the chemical composition of the soil was all that could be desired for the culture in view. But the diffi- culty was to persuade the husbandman to effect such radical changes in his system of treating the new plant as were absolutely necessary to obtain success. With the ordinary American plant the farmer had been accustomed to treat growing tobacco much as he would have done any other crop. On the first intioduction of the Oriental quality, farmers accustomed from gen- eration to generation, since the first introduction of the cultivation of the plant in tT4.") (about), to a certain .style of cultivation, rebelled against what they termed the "severity" of the con- ditions imposed regarding the cultiva- tion of the new quality; one point of which they complained bitterly as a great hardship was the absolute re- (juirement that only ovine manure shoulu be used. It was demonstrated to them that the bovine manure they had been accustomed to could not be t(jlerated in consecjuence of tlie strong rank flavor and taste. As the result of continuous experi- ment, a code of regulations was drawn up by the department, in which was given every jjossible information as to how the Oriental plants were to be reared, and the landowners were invited to take note of the conditions the government offered, the cultivation of the American leaf being restricted, so that the farmer had no longer the option of continuing cultivating the qualities he had raised in former years. The otters were, that the dep.-irtment would supply all seeds, whi<-h were to be sown in specially prepared and ovine-manured beds in October. During the infancy of the seedling plants, a most careful treatment was required, such as covering with mat- ting at certain hours of the day and night, precautionary measures against noxious insects and constant weeding out of i^arasite and other- growths; fti May, the young plants were to be transplanted with all due care to the oj^en fields, which had been ploughed and carefully manured with ovine matter; the young plants were to be set in rows not less than two feet apart, the plants being eight or nine incties one from the other, and due at- tention paid to irrigation when water was obtainable, the department paying a higher price for irrigated than for plants which had grown without any but natural irrigation. During the whole time of the rear- ing of the plant, from the sowing until the leaves were finally delivered at the government establishments, the pro- ducer was exposed to surprise visits at all times; the inspectors removed any defective or worthless leaves, burning them immediately. The farmer .was prohibited from removing a leaf from a plant for any reason wliatever. Between September I.') and 30 the whole crop was to be carried and the leaves collected in bundles of 300 and dried in sheds on the property and then conve_yed to Lecce for delivery at tlie government classifying floors, whe:i the producer was paid the price of the leaves ; and later, when these had been thoroughly examined, classified and rebnudled. he was paid a further premium on the results. A plant pr(jperly cultivated should give as many as fourteen leaves, but of these, approximately, one-half would be of second quality and the remainder would be classified in at least two or three grades of fineness, only, possibly, two or three leaves off a plant giving the whole of the characteristics re- ijuired to be classified as "super ex- cellent," one of the conditions being a perfectly uniform lemon gold color. The necessity for this discrimina- tion in the classification of the leaves arises from tlie fact that leaves which have grown near the ground level are far more rank and do not jiossess the jnire aroma recjuired for first class to- bacco, while those closest to the flower are found to be too rich in nicotine, the best esteemed leaves being conse- quently some of those from the middle growth of the plant. For the \iWS crop, now under cultivation, the total requests to be permitted to cultivate amounted in all to 40,000.000 of plants of the Oriental (pialities alone; while the administration was unable to enter- tain proposals for more than H),.")00.- 000. The reason why the department could not permit more than tlie (luantitj- stated to be cultivated is that tlie premises at Lecce, although vast, and air3', are not sufficiently extensive' to handle more than that quantity of tobacco. The consul states that, having an oiiportunity of trying some of the cigarettes, he found that they were most satisfactory as to aroma and flavor. By public notice dated Rome, September 15 last, the department announced that they would accept olters to grow a total of 390,000 jilants of "Cattaro" qualities for .snutt', 5, 37."), 000 plants of "Burley" for ordinary tobacco, 3,000,000 plants of American "Bright." and 16,500,000 plants of various qualities of Oriental types ; the product of the latter to be used, mixed with imported tobacco, in the manufacture of cigarettes of vari- ous kinds as sold by the Monopoly at prices varying between two and twelve cents each, the weight of the cigarette being a gramme — 1,000 cigarettes to tlie kilo. In this manner it is antici- pated that the 190S crop should give 135 to liiO tons of Oriental tobacco. This would not be .sufficient for one month's re(iuirement of the country; consequently, it has not been possible so far to issue a cigarette made exclu- sivelj- of native-grown tobacco, in view of the impossibility of maintaining the supply of the type should it meet with apiiroval and l)e much asked tor. Shipping Resolutions J!('s(ilrcil, By the New York Board of Trade and Transportation, that there is imperative need of the revival of Amercian shipping in the foreign trade. Our deep-sea tonnage has shrunk to one-third »f the total of 1801, while most of our ocean commerce, which used to employ scores of shipyards and Thousands of skilled mechanics and seamen, is now monopolized by other nations. lioiiilrcd. That the larger part of American commerce ought rightfully to be carried by American ships. The American people must have jirosperous shipyards and a great merchant fleet, as a bulwark of their trade and the indispensable reserve of their fighting navy. Ship building and navigation, bringing a fair gain to capital and labor, are as vital to the nation's de- fense as armorclads and guns. R('S MAIN STUDIO ST., HAR.XFOR.D Leading Artist in PhotograpHy and General Portraiture. Our photof^raphs are not "shade"" ^rown but are made with the clearness and exact likeness that win for us permanent customers. We are after j-our photof.'-rai>hic trade StadiOt i039 Main St., Opposite Morgan St. J. C. Bidwell ®. Co. Wholesale and retail dealers in all kinds of Roofing Material, Tobacco Twines, Roj>e,TacKleBlocKs, Scales, TrucKs and Builders' Har€i\vare. IN rubbe:r dept. A FULL LINE OF Rubber Hose, BlanKets and .Sprayers. 237 Asylum St., Hartford, Connecticut Our "Special" Tobacco Paper Keeps tobacco well. Guaranteed ag-ainst string- culliny. Sold two carloads in Suffield alone last year. AsK Sam'l Orr. Chas. Haskins, SufBeld, or your ueig-hbor about it. Arthur Sikes sells it in Suffield or direct C. H. THOMAS (£b CO., 23 Lyman Street. Sprinj=rfield, Mass 10 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER ^^fe New England Tobacco Grower Published monthly by Tobacco Grower Publishing Co. S3 Trumbull street, Hartford Fire Insurance Building Hartford, Connecticut. Subscription, One Dollar a Year. Ten Cents a Copy, Official Journal of The New Eng-land Tobacco Growers' Association. PAUL ACKERLY. Editor. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elected by The New England Tobacco Growers' Association ; CONNECTICDT. Luther M. Case, Winsted. William J. Hayes, Tariffville. Col. E. N. Phelps, Windsor. W. E. Burbank, Thompsonville. Edward W. Dewey, Granby. William F. Andross, East Hartford. Newell St. John, Simabury." James S. Forbes, Burnside. H. O. Warner, New Milford. A. H. Clark, Poquonock. Ariel Mitchelson, Tariffville. H. H. Austin, Suffield. P. H. Woodford, Avon. George Bidwell, East Granby. Allison H. Brown, Poquonock. S. P. Newberry, South Windsor. L. F. Bronson, East Canaan. A. C. Sternberg, West Hartford. J. H. Pierce, Enfield. M. M. Frisbie, Southington. L. A. Lee, Barkhamsted. A. N. Shepard.Gildersleeve. George Mitchelson, St. Paul. Massachusetts. Thaddeus Graves, Hatfield. H. L. Miller. Southwick. Lemuel tiraves, Whately. James H. Day, Sunderland. B. M. Wainer, Hatfield. C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland. E. Cyrus Miller, Haj-denville. Vermont. H. E. Gassett, Putney. Charles Brown, Westminster. New Hampshire. G. S. Smith, Hinsdale. F. A.. Murray, Business Representative. Volume IV. Entered at the Hartford Post-Otfice as Second Class mail matter. HARTFORD, SEPTEMBER, J903. HARVESTING Ak UCiUST makes tobacco, accord- ■^ ^ ing to the old trade iiroverb, and the Aiigust of 190;^ has certainl.y had a most important share in the work of producing the crop in the New Eng- land States. The showerj' days of July and rapid growth of the tobacco during that time, were followed by weeks of pleasant August weather that carried the crop along rapidly and made especially glad the owners of late set tobacco. The weather at no time became tropical but nevertheless the warm, dry, sunny days of August were effective in pushing the plants ahead and the crop has matured in ex- cellent shape, although there are oc- casional spots in some fleltls that fell behind earlier in the season and have not regained their place. It is expected that when the time for weighing comes the New England crop of 1908 will not be found es- pecially heav3', as it is apparent that the tobacco this year has not made the heavy rank growth of some past sea- sons. But the weight has no bearing upon the quality of the crop, and with a strong demand among manufacturers for all kinds of cigar wrapper, it is cer- tain that should there be fewer pounds of tobacco in sight the price per pound will not suffer in consequence. The rush of buyers to the Connecti- cut towiis east of the river for the broadleaf crop has come again this year, and still earlier than in 1903. The prices at which bargains have been made for broadleaf in the fields this year are higher than the 1903 prices, which ranged between 18 and 3.5 cents, against 35 to 30 cents or more this Pall. Again has come the question of the advisability of selling in the field and shed as compared with striking a bargain when the tobacco is in the bundle and in shape for intelligent in- spection. And the growers who have sold in the field have again registered their approval' of this plan of sale. One noticeable feature of the 1903 crop is the percentage of light wrap- pers of which indication has already been given in the sheds. Both the out door and the shade-grown crops which have been in the shed a sufficient time to show the color, are coming out in lighter colors as the cure proceeds than the crop of a year ago. FJtLL HELP A NXIETY over the possibility that .sufficient help could not be found to carry on the 1903 crop has been fol- lowed by a deep sense of gratification at the heavy supply of labor which has suddenly made its appearance in nearly all of the tobacco-growing towns of New England, particularly those through which a through line of rail- road passes. Possibly it is not fair to inquire too closely how many years of experience in the tobacco field these newly arrived men have had, Lut some of the men are free to admit that they never saw a tobacco field until their first observation this Fall as they rode into New England on the gondola. The talent for traveling is, however, usually accompanied by a cleverness and adaptability that responds quickly to instruction, and if it must be so that the extra hands needed for a short time in the harvesting season come from the inexperienced, the tobacco grower must make the best of it and accept the situation. IN THE TOWNS I^EIG HBO R HOOD warehousing under some friendly arrangement among growers in the same town or immediate locality will doubtless be given a trial this winter in several localities and the results will be awaited witii considerable interest. It is safe to say that such attempts at neighborhood warehousing will be con- ducted as serious business enterprises, and will not be accompanied by any brass band business or outside graft. Hockanum Cutting is in full blast now and the crop is moving into the shed as rapidly as possible. There is no rust to speak of. Help is plentiful. Quite a flurry has been caused by a number of buyers who have been through here picking up as many crops as they could Following is a list of growei's who have sold their tobacco at about 35 cents per pound; Francis Smith, 17 acres: and Christian Handell. 18 acres; to Taylor & Son. Cassius Rislej', five acres; Merritt .Smart, six acres; John Myers, six acres; and William Myers, all to Sutter Brothers. Fred Bert- holmes, seven acres; to L. B Haas. William Bentley. six acres, to W. L. Huntting & Co Edward Fox, seven acres, and Hiram Fox, five acres, to Sutter Bros. A great many other growers have had offers of 3.5 cents or better but refuse to sell for a while yet. This tobacco was all broadleaf; the boom in this leaf always precedes the Havana by a few weeks. East Windsor Hill Tobacco is looking well in East Windsor, fully up to the average year. It is nearly all Havana, although there are a few pieces of broadleaf which are looking well. The general ajjpear- ance of the crop is good, holding its color, of good growth, free from dam- age by storms or insects. Harvesting is under waj-. In .South Windsor nearlj' all of the tobacco is broadleaf and looking re- markal>ly good. The growth is large and the crop is clean and free from damage. Quite a number of crops have V)een sold at good prices. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER n RusH for Leaf Ne\«r YorK Buyers MaRing Strong Demand for tKe I002 Crop NEW ENGLAND'S tobacco crop of 1903 has gone through the natu- ral sweat and is reaching the New York market. Its reception there is most gratifying to the puckers and dealers, and likewise to the holders of sound 1903 leaf in the Connecticut and Housatonic Valleys. In addition, fresh demonstration is made of the geneial demand for wrap- per among cigar man>ifacturers of the United States, and this gives proof of the value to the trade of the 1903 crop now feoing to the sheds. The New York United States To- bacco Joiirnal takes this view of the situation; The market has been exceedingly active this week in types whose sound- ness promise a safe investment. At the head of the list stands Connecticut broadleaf, and the demand for it is so great that some houses have sold out already their entire packings. A few weeks more and everj- box of Connecti- cut broadleaf will have moved out of first hand.s. But then there isn't much of it to go far around. All the entire trade has to dispose of is about six to seven thousand boxes, and those are like a drop of water in view of the pressing demand for domestic wrapper leaf. Some of the out-of-town buyers who iave taken a run up into the New Eng- land tobacco districts in search of sound Havana seed have returned with disai)i)ointed hopes and probably wiser experience. The country packer can as little metamorphize the innate de- fects of a crop as the city jiacker. and every city packer will claim that his packings are all right, it's only the other fellow who got stuck. But such a little thing as must and other "mackes" should not interfere with the sale of the Havana seed, for which every stripper boy cries like a baby for soothing syrup. With a pre- mium offer of some disinfecting tinc- ture, and a bushel of the Universal Tobacco Company's stock — 13 per bushel — it would move off like hot i^akes. as our factories are in such rush- ing need of it that it would be con- sumed before the smoker can get a taste of it. The U nited States Tobacco Journal would therefore advise the holders not to borrow any trouble on account of the faults the would-be buyer might find or point out. He will simply have to have it if he is not to go out of business, as the consumjition of leaf is by far exceeding its production, and the prospects of the 1903 crop are any- thing but reassuring. In the mean- while, Sumatra remains king of tlie wraijper leaf situation. Next to the Connecticut broadleaf. last year's Pennsylvania is attracting the greatest attention and favor on the part of the buyers. It will undoubt- edly prove a great seller, and before the buyers leave our market probaljly larger tran.sactions will have been closed in that type than in any other. Some houses, however, have not sampled their packings as yet, and do not care to be rushed into unseason- able sampling either. The New York Tobacco Leaf says: The second week of the appearance of the new Connecticut on the market has been even livelier than the first. Sales are being made in rapid-fire order, and there is every indication that the bulk of good grades will be out of first hands in a few weeks. The buying element, as a whole, seems to realize that there will not be too much tobacco to go around: and despite the high figures asked, a good business is being done. Prices on Havana seed remain about as quoted last week, while in broadleaf the figures show a decided stiffening tendenc}'. Hales re- ported during the past week of both grades of Connecticut amount to some 3,000 cases. It is extremely likely that the 1903 Connecticut will be turned over quicKer than any New England crop on record. Some pack- ers have already xiractically sold out certain gi'ades, .such as their Broad leaf, their light wrappers, or their seconds, as the case maj- have been. As a matter of fact, considering the comparative supply of and demand for the serviceable grades of goods, and the money which it has cost the pack- ers (including their losses by damage), the prices ruling are very reasonable. Some 600 boxes of damaged goods liave been sold in the local market for exjHjrt during the week. Sumatra. — This tobacco seems to have taken a back seat since the new domestic leaf appeared on the scene. Business has been very quiet for two weeks back. Havana. — No great activity is noticeable in the local Havana market. Good prices are maintained, how- ever: and, as will be seen by our ad- vices from Cuba, an active business is being done in Havana city. Local im- porters have no apprehensions as to the outcome of their investments. Jtt the International Harvesting shade-grown has com- menced early and proceeded rapidly at the International Tobacco Culture Cor- poration farm, North Bloomtield. Viewing Tobacco All the buj-ers have not been con- stantly "east of the river." Some have been inspecting the Havana fields. Glastonbury About the only intersting news to report from this town, outside of the fact that liarvesting is progressing rajndly, is that for the past week we liave been treated to a shower of buyers with the result that quite a few growers have sold their crops for 2.5 cents, or a couple of cents better. Among those who have sold are: George Bartlett, three acres; Charles Bantle, eight acres; Jacob Bantle, ten acres; Julius Bantle, ten acres, all to Taylor & Son, Westfield. Arthur Bid- well, three acres; Albro Bid well, four acres; Ambrose Bidwell, three acres; Otis House, four acres ; Charles An- drews, .six acres ; and Henrj' E. Loomis, nine acres; all to Sutter Brothers. E. D. Dickinson, nine acres; and Frank Barrows, two and one-half acres; sold to the Schoverling-Kinney Com- pany, New Milford. Emerson Olcott, four acres; and Henry Smith, five acres; sold to L. B. Haas, Hartford. Henry L'umburg, seven acres, to Hunt- ting & Co. All of this tobacco was broadleaf and was bargained for assorted, with the exception of George Bartlett's crop, which is reported as sold in the bun- dle. Sunderland The growers in this vicinity are harve-ting a very fair crop of tobacco. In some instances the tobacco is ex- cellent. That grown on medium or heavy soil is of good growth and color and is free from damage of any sort. There is no reason why it should not turn out good with favorable curing weather. Buyers have been through here look- ing the crops over, but no sales as yet that I know of. The 1903 crop is about all sold. I have 13.5 cases on hand, mo.itly medium and dark wrap- pers, which I will sample out the first week in September. I think there will be about 7.) per cent, of a full crop here this sea.son. J. H. D. Hartford The past few weeks have been very busy ones for the tobacco inspectors, who have been hard at work sampling out the 1903 crop. Joseph M. Glea- son has been one of the busy ones, hav- ing about all he could attend to in the city and surrounding towns. Mr. Gleason is an expert tobacco inspector and has had full charge of all the to- bacco inspecting done in this state by Ruscher & Co., 149 Water Street, New York City, for a number of years. This firm has branches in every to- bacco section in the United States and Mr. Gleason is in charge of their Hart- ford branch. 33H State street. Visiting Mew England W. W. Green, who is experimenting with a half acre of Sumatra under cloth at Hanover. Virginia, has been visiting Nev.- England tobacco towns. t2 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER SHJtDE^GROWN SUMJtTRJt "The Connecticut shade-grown to- bacco has a gi-eat deal of merit, and anj'thing that has merit is bound to succeed," is the way Charles G. Lincoln of Market street, Hartford, ex- pressed himself when asked his opinion as to the future of this kind of tobacco by a representative of The New Eng- land Tobacco Grower. In September, 1903, Mr. Lincoln be- gan to manufacture a five cent cigar, using shade-grown tobacco for wrap- per. This cigar was called the "Puri- tan Boj'.'' It was advertised exten- sively and in all of the advertising matter great stress was laid upon the fact that it was wrapped with shade- grown tobacco. It was a shade-grown wrapped cigar and was advertised as such. This cigar has made a hit from the start and its popularity has increased with such rajjidity that, although it is not j'et a year old, still it already ranks among the "best sellers" in the various places where it has been introduced. About two months after the "Puri- tan Boy" was put upon the market, Mr. Lincoln began the manufacture of a ten cent cigar, which he called the "Ottoman." At the start he began wrapping this cigar with broadleaf Imt found that it did not take very well with the smokers. He immediately discarded the broadleaf wrapper in favor of shade-grown Sumatra, with the result that the "Ottoman" im- mediately began to grow in favor with the consumer to such an extent that it bids fair to be as successful among the ten cent cigars as the "Puritan Boy" is among the fives. In speaking about the handling of the tobacco before it is ready for the table Mr. Lincoln said, "To begin with we bought some of the 1901 crop of Connecticut Sumatra, in fact we have used nothing else but the 1901 crop since we started, as we do not believe that the 1903 crop will he in condition for a few weeks yet. But as I was saying, when we began we did not know it all, therefore if we encoun- tered any difficulties we naturally tried to find a way out of them, and as a result we found that extra care should be exercised in booking and padding the leaf for the table; also if the cigars were allowed to dry natu- rally, without the use of artificial heat, we were able to get a very durable wrapper, and one that was as good, if not better, than the imijorted Suma- tra. ' When asked as to the yield Mr. Lin- coln said that he was able to wrap 1,000 cigars with from one and one- lialf to two and one-half pounds. When Fertilizer Counts A good tobacco fertilizer is not con- tent with promoting rapid growth, but keei)s on at work until the finishing off of the crop. Repeat Orders All the shade-growers report repeat orders from those who have tried sam- ple bales of the 1 903 crop. Windsor The tobacco field is a very busy place at this writing, the cutting of the crop being at its height and every sunshiny day the grower puts on all the men he can hire and the work is rushed to the limit. This season is not unlike previous seasons, for there are good crops, average crops and poor crops, but as a whole the crop is esti- mated as above the average. The late set plants are said to promise a better crop than those which were set early. A crop of about two acres on the Welch lot at the west end of Majile avenue was set the 3d day of July hy Michael Gilligan. It has grown rapidly and shows a nice, healthy, even growth, and the same can be said of other crops that were set late. The buying of crops in the field seems to have been abandoned for this season at least. The buyers evidently are not eager to take chances, and the growers seem to have lost confidence in the buyer. As a matter of fact but few growers will sell in the field un- less a subtantial deposit is made as a guarantee that the contract will be fulfilled. Enfield Since my earlier letter, cutting has been commenced by Joseph Watson, G. S. Parsons, Carson and Alden, Welch Brothers and A. H. Potter. They all find it a great deal larger growth tlian they expected. A supply of experienced hands for tobacco har- vesting has now been obtained. Late set tobacco is coming along in fine shape. Starr Brothers, packers at T. S. Grant's warehouse, are this week ship- ping out of the country 150 cases. Granby Station The hai'vesting of the suadegrown crop of 30 acres at Indian Head Plan- tations began August 8. Besides giv- ing employment to young women in the neighborhood the harvesting on this and other plantations in the vicin- ity has required help from Hartford, Springfield and Holyoke. Hon. Charles M. Coffey was one of the first of the growers who com- menced harvesting this season. Burnside John H. Elmer has been kept at home a few days by injuries received in a fall in his tobacco shed. Portland About one-fourth of the tobacco has been cut and housed in town. The recent dry and warm weather has im- proved the locks of it in the field. The growth is not up to the standard and there seems to be more small plants, but no calico. The early set as usual has done the best. A week or ten days from now will probably see the most of the crop in this vicinity in the sheds. Several buyers have been through on tours of inspection, but I have yet to hear of any sales. Observer. Marcellus N. Clark Marcellus N. Clark died at the Hart- ford Hospital August 33, aged 58. Mr. Clark was a native of Windsor and was the son of Shelby and Fidelia Clark. Early in life he moved to Westfield, and came to Hartford about twenty five years ago, remaining un- til four years ago, when he moved to Albany. While living in Hartford Mr. Clark was a traveling salesman, sell- ing tobacco, and in Albany he became the head of the firm of Clark & Daw- son, wholesale dealers in leaf tobacco. He came to Hartford about a month ago to make a visit. Mr. Clark leaves a wife and one daughter, Mrs. Franklin A. Morley of Hartford, and three brothers, Fayette C. Clark of Bridgeport, Wellington G. Clark of Windsor and Sanford Clark of Wilkesbarre. At a meeting of The Leaf Tobacco Merchants' association of Hartford, called on account ot the death of Mar- cellus N. Clark, the following resolu- tion was passed; Whereas, It has pleased our Heaven- ly Father to take unto him our friend and associate, Marcellus N. Clark, and whereas, our friend and associate had always endeared himself by his uniform kindness and goodwill to all, therefore be it Resolved, By this asso- ciation that we mourn his loss greatly and extend our sympathy to the be- reaved family, that God may give them comfort in the dark hour. Resolved, That we close our places of business during the interment and attend in a body. East Hartford We are glad to be able to report the condition of the broadleaf as far better than was supposed possible a short time ago. The improvement is beyond our most sanguine expectations, indeed there are some of the finest fields ever seen, although probably not the heaviest. The soundness of the leaf and its color are phenomenal. There have been no worms, no mud- broken, no rust and soaroely any calico. Cutting has begun in South Windsor. J. L. Newton had several acres har- vested on Aug. 18. Others harvesting at that date were : G. Hartnett, J. W. Helm, M. Riordan, Dennis Riordan, W. G. Burnham. Harvesting began about Aug. 13. The average crop is two weeks late. CERTAINLY We will enarantee to duplicate any sub mined sanipk- uf tobacco paper at from 3 to 3 1-2 cents a pound. Write or caU for samples, or telephone to us at onr expense. Mifl't also see us about your twine. TeleplKnle 140(i-*. I^ENOX PAPER COMPANY, 243 Worthington Street, Springfield, Mass. TOBACCO HOOKED LATH AND LOW DOWN TOBACCO WAGONS- Wi- als.i make the "SUCCESS" SILO. Write for Catal(>tr»u's. AMOS D. BRIDGE, Manufacturer, HAZARDVILLE, CONN. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 13 J"^. Louis Market The leaf tobacco business of St. Louis remains in tlie same dull conili- tion which has prevailed the past few weeks. A number of our job'.iers are now in the Eastern markets and others are planning to go a little later on. Reports from the East are not rosy re- garding tlie bargains lying around waiting to be jiicked up. and the first advices from our absent buyers are not freighted with enthusiasm. It appears that the holders of the good jjackings are asking pretty stiff figures for the goods, and some of the prices put on the Connecticut broadleaf are almost prohibitive, as far as marketing the to- bacco through the St. Louis jobbers is concerned. Probably the St. Louis C(Mitingent will not take more of the Connecticut tobacco than absolutely necessary, or enough to give it a trial with the man- ufacturers. Sumatra tobacco is win- ning lots of trade for our dealers, and another good thing in sight appears to be the 1903 Pennsylvania, and the .sampling of same is awaited with pleasing anticipations. The business of our retailers showed a marked im- jirovement during the week, and the entire contingent is now hoping for a continuation of the cool spell. The to- bacco factories are running along as usual and among them a few are ex- ceptionally busy. South Jtfrican Tariff The South African Customs Union has put into effect a new tariff' which contains the following schedule of to- bacco duties: Per pound. Cigars and cigarillos 1 1 46 (And in addition HI p. cad val. ) Goorak or Goorakoo. and Hookah Mixture, and all imitations or substitutes 1 46 Snuff 97 Cigarettes 97 (And in addition 10 p. cad val.) Manufactured and cut tobacco. . 85 Manufactured and uncut 73 Not manufactured, but stemmed. 60 Not manufactured, but unstemmed 48 Leaf tobacco, the produce of South Africa, imported into the Union over- land, free. The new tariff makes no change in the specific duties of the old tobacco schedule, but increases the ad valorem rates on cigars and cigarillos, and cigarettes from 7>2 to 10 per cent, ad valorem. The Turkish mixtures re- ferred t( in the above schedule and made dutiable at ill. 46 per pound, were formerly included under the head of "manufactured and cut," at the rate of 85 cents per pound. East Hartford Following is a list of some of the firms who have had buyers in the field. W. L. Huntting & Co., East H,-irtford; Osterweis, New Haven; Taylor & Son, Westfield; H. O. Warn'er and J. Graham, New Milford; Kaff'euburg, Boston; Sutter Brothers, New York; L. B. Haas, Hartford; and Beckman, Westfield. South Windsor Cutting, while ten days later last year, is at tlie present date, August a5tli, well advanced and we expect to see the crop in this vicinity, Reardon's Corner, harvested before the tenth of September. The general appearance of the crop is g(jod, being exceptionally free from rust or damage by worms, ho]ipers, etc. Help is plentiful although some are, as ill all seasons, not of a very desir- able character. In my opinion the crop is one (jf the best grown since 1896. For a distance of three miles north of the railroad crossing in East Hartford I have noticed Imt four poor crops, aggregating about HO acres, this is of small growth and is somewhat 3'ellowed caused by insufScieiit manure this and jiast seasons. A. C. R. IVhen You Want PHOTOGRAPHS Compare work and prices Entire Satisfaction Guaranletnl 0M 89 PRATT ST. NEARTRUMeULL. HARTFORO.CONN. STABLE MANURE In car or cargo lots. Prompt Delivery. Lowest Prices. R. M. GOODRICH, Hartford and New York Transportation Company. Hartford, .£^ Connecticut APPARATUS Of all kinds, of large cr small capacLy, Mounted & Portable Outfits. Semi fo ■ s/.}'vial Catalogue. FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines fl i IJ, Ici 7.'. Il.iisi- I'Mn-fr fi.i' all M-rvi.-es Special Punvgsing Engines m PULLEYS, SHAFTI'ilG AMD BELTING f..r I'..«-ur K.|iiii.iii.)iil . f R-icl.iii.-.v anil Mill.s. WINDMILLS, TANKS AND TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hose. In writing for Cat-iiog.Ki itle.a-se .speoify wliicli one you want. We make a speeialty of Water Supply Out- fits for Coiuitrv Eslatrs. CHARLES J. JAGER COMPANY, 174 HIGH ST., BOSTON, MASS. WANT ADVERTISEMENTS. AdverlisomcntK under this head cost one cent a word each time; no advertisement taken for less than twenty cents; cash or stamps must accotnpany orders; which should be re- ceived by the 25th of ihe month. WANTED— About 12 second-hand window sash; also window frames; will also buy second- liand matched stuff and flooring boards. Wil- liams, care The New Eng-land Tobacco Grower, Hartford. WANTED— The advertiser, now employed desires to eng-ajre for the fall and winter, to takecharg-e of tobacco warehouse; experienced. J. C, care The New Eng-land Tobacco Grower, Hartford. Question: Why is it, year after year. Tobacco Growers order PajuT and Twine of P. GARVAN? Jinstver: We always yet the best and at the lowest prices. Anlicipatintr strikes Mr. Garvan has secured six carloads of papur al old prices. Call and be convinced, at 205 State Street, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT THE USE OF AN Underwood Typewriter will increase your business. Rent one for a month and watch the result. Underwood Typewriter Company, rsS-rsr Main street, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. JENKINS & BARKER, Successors to Col. Cbarles L. Burdett, Patent and Trade Mark Causes. Solicitors of United Slates and Foreig-n Pat- ents, Desif^ns and Trade Marks. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 50 State Street, - Hartford, Connecticat. 14 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Salesman ■Writes to tKe Tobacco Leaf of His Experiences on the R.oad ANY large manufacturer who is a subscriber or a reader of the Leaf can always tell from reports of sales at inscriptions in Holland who were the buj'ers of any particular "Maatschy Pie," about which he knows something by previous experience. If Deli Toewas last year were satisfactory in every respect, the manufacturer naturally will look for the product of this plantation this season: the same argument holding good in the St. Cyr Delis Longcats or any other ''Pies!" How very few of these posing to the trade as importers are really entitled to figure as bona fide importers! I guess I could count all the big buyers on the fingers of my hands, and then have a couple of fingers left that would not be overworked. I used to be very much amused at the braggadocio con- versation of some traveling men I often used to meet in Biughamton and other cities, wheie they filled the buyers with hot air. To listen to some of the talk the boys would indulge in would make one laelieve that Dun or Brad- street had made an error in quoting their firms. Deals of fifty to seventy- five thousand were only small transac- tions, and made a fellow like me feel like very small potatoes. It used to give me the cold shivers to hear someone of the "hot air bunch" say, "I could sell Messrs. Skinem & Fakem my lot of Deli Toewas, but I have only thirty-five bales of S. S. L.I. . and they won't buy such a small lot. If I had 1 00 bales I would be right in it, for that is the way they bu)-. ' ' Say ! how such talk used to almost knock the wind out of me. I had perhaps 200 or 300 cases of Ohio fillers of different kinds, and if I should succeed in selling out everj^ box of which I had samples, I was only the "little end of 0 whittled to a fine point" compared with these leviathan deals of Sumatra the gang were discussing. It used to make me feel sick when I compared the Ijroker- age on a 100 bale lot of Sumatra, with a few hundred bales of Santa Claras oV Vueltas "on the side," compared with My sales of a few hundred cases of a or 10 cent seed. When I finally got an audience with the buyers of these enormous lots of Sumatra and Havana, I used to consider myself lucky indeed if I could sell them ten to twenty-five cases of "picks" of my best Judische Havana. It took me quite a while to get "next." Recentlj- a large packer said to me: "I never could sell Blank & Co. any goods when I called on them myself, but my broker generally has good luck in selling them, and he gets good prices. He makes more money on the goods than I do, because I put them to him at a price they must net me net, and whatever he gets over and above net is his brokerage." Of course my packer friend did not know that the foreman had an "itching palm." This broker would send the foreman's wife a nice silk dress pattern or some other useful article some- times some little trinket for the fore- man's kids: often he would "blow him off" to a good wine supper and a "hot time" after dark: or generally he would take the friendly foreman to the "Club," and purposely lose twenty- five or fifty dollars, sometimes more, at the great and only American game. The schemes to get the goodwill of the buyer were so childlike, bland and vague that I cannot recite all the vari- ous ways of putting the foreman under such obligations that my broker friend had things all his own way when it came to making any sales. I 'have spent many years on the road getting "acquainted CO" with different buy- ers in some of the large manufacturing cities, and have thrown awaj- many a good dollar in getting on the "right" side of them. I used to divide the commission with more than one foreman, and found that the success of many salesman was really only the faculty of tickling the right man in the proper place. A friend of mine, who was the star salesman of a large importing house in the East, when he contemplated a trip to the Western trade, used to notify the Ijoys in the house that he would be in Chilwaukee or Micago on a certain date, and would be pleased to have them call at the Palmer or Plankinton House before he called to see the ' 'old man " at the store. He would take the boys out to the show, "take in the town " with them, and buy a few bottles of beer at ^1 per--and you can bet your boots this lad always got the orders because he was a "good fellow." Old Timer. I "Millions for Farmers" EXAS OBACCO RACTS Write for Full Infor- mation to So says Secretary Wilson. U. S. Dep'tof Agriculture. Exhaustive Tests Prove that the Finest Grade of CUBAN LEAF !• iller and \\ rapper Can be Growu iu East Texas ou tlie Line of the SOUTHERN PACIFIC Soils and Climate similar to famous Vuelta Abajo District of Pinar Del Rio. Cuba. T. J. ANDERSON, Gen. Pass. Agt., Houston, Texas I WIRE FOR SHADE=QROWERS. | i The Blodgett & Clapp Co., | I Hartford, Conn. I I Iron, Steel ^nd Metal Merchants I S And Dealers In ^ I TIN PLATE, CARRIAGE AND I i HEAVY HARDWARE. | S Office and Warehouse, 49 and 51 Market Street. § TOBACCO SHED TRIMMINGS We carry a large stock of everything in this line that you need GRANGER'S PATENT HINGE The stongest and most durable hinge made Tracy, Robinson Cgi, 'Williams MAR.TrOR.D',S HAR.DAVAR.E CENTER. 78 and SO Asylum .Street, Hartford, Connecticut THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER t5 Essex Tobacco Specials and Special Manures for all Crops 'TT* 111'^ manufacturers of the Essex High Grade Fertilizers would re- , ,.. I spectfullv invite the attention of all who are interested in farming to ' inspect the crops now growing in the Connecticut and Housatonic Valleys, that are raised wholly or partly on their high grade manures. Although the season so far has been irregular as to weather conditions, we are daily receiving the most flattering reports from our customers showing that to succeed in all seasons you must use Essex Manures. Give us your orders for Fine Ground Bone and for our Grass Manure if you are seeding down this fall. There are no better in the market. RUSvSIA CEMENT CO., Gloucester, Mass. E. B. KIBBE, General Agent, Box 752, Hartford, Conn. iSt. Louis ExKibit Connecticut Plans for tHe Tobacco Oisplax at tHe Exposition lAT (Joiiiiei-ticut will liP well represented in the to- bacco exhibit at tlie Ht. Loiiis^ Exposition is an assured fact. The com- mittee having the matter in charge is making fine progress, even at this early date, towards collecting material for the display. One part of the eshiliit will consist of photographs of tlie tobacco, taken during its growth at different stages. from the time it starts in the seed-licd until it is ready for the manufactui er. It is proposed to have the photographs arranged upon a huge fan and placed in such a position that a person begin- ning with the first picture may follow the gi'owth of tlie tobacco plant through the ditferent stage.s of development, from the time the seed is sprouted until it is ready for the cigar -maker. Another feature will be the exhiliit of the plant itself in the ditferent stages of development. There will also be an exhibit of the different methods emjiloyed in tobacco culture, such as harvesting, stripjnng and bundling, curing, assorting, force- sweating, and casing. Th(^ methods employed in raising and handling Sumatra grown under cloth, which, although comparatively new to this state, tint nevertliele.ss at present a •Source of inucti interest among growers of t(jbacco and others everywhere, will be shown with special attention to de- tail. Another idea, which the committee has decided upon, is to show the Con- necticut tobacct) in the leaf and also show a cigar wrapped witli that par- ticular kind of leaf. In this way the different kinds of tobacco, lights, darks, etc., will be displayed and with each of them will be shown a cigar to demon.strate what kind of a leaf is re- quired for that particular make of cigar. When this idea was first proposed it was met with no little oppositicm by the officials of that particular deiiart- ment of the exposition, their reason for opposing it being that the exhibits of the manufactured and unmanufac- tured tobacco, should be kept separate. Since that time it has been decided to allow the cigars to be displa.ved with the leaf as was at first suggested. From time to time various other plans for displaying the tobacco in the best manner possible, will present themselves and from these the com- mittee will select such as are practical, with the result that the exhibit will be a credit to the tobacco growers of Con- necticut. Already the toliacco growers throughout the state are manifesting a great interest in the coming exhibit, and many have already agreed to help the ct)mmittee in any way possible to make a display, which will be excellent in every particular Hawaiian Shade^Groiun The cultivation of Sumatra tobacco Tinder cloth has spread experimentally to Hawaii, where Jared ti. Smith, the special agent of the United States De partment of Agriculture, reports that he has raised a good crop in a small covered field. Montague There was never a better spell ol harvesting weather for early tobacco than that afforded by the middle of August. I think tobacco is curing lighter this year than last. Chicago Failure The creditors of the Chicago tobacco hou.se, the H. W. Heegaard Company, have accepted 40 cents on the dollar, the expenses of the assignment to be. paid by the firm, which will resume business at once. )6 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Slow-Burning WareHouse Plans Suggested for Tobacco ■WareHouse by the Continental Insurance Company g^^K AREHOUSING of tobacco 'fXAAlRi ^* ""^^ '-'^ ^^^ most import- ^V V JM' ant of American industries, ^^^^^ and the buildings, appara- tus, and stocli in process of handling make up so large an amount that the business receives considerable attention from the insurance under- writers of the country. The investment involved in the handling and manufacture of tobacco in the Uiiited States amounts to|3;^- 782,34.5, and the business is annually increasing. It is the practice to carry insurance closely covering the value of buildings and stock, and the fixing of insurance rates and protection against fire are matters that are of much concern. The Continental Insurance Comiiany of New York has prepared the follow- ing specifications for a model tobacco warehouse of slow burning construc- tion: Not over three stories high, nor more than .5,000 square feet area. Walls. — Plain finished brick walls, parapeted at least two feet on all sides; walls to be 22 inches (two bricks and a half) in the 1st story, 17^2 inches (two bricks) in the 2nd story, and 13 inches (one brick and a half) in the third story; the wall in the 3rd story to be strengthened by 4x20 inch pilasters 15 feet apart. Roof. — To be tin or gravel covered and consist of 2-inch splined or tongue and grooved dressed hard pine planking (not over 8 inches wide. ) Floors. — To be double l^a -inch top flooring of maple or pine on 3 inch hard pine planking (not over 8 inches wide) splined or tongue and grooved. One thickness of rosin-sized waterproof paper to be placed between upper and lower planking of floors. Floors to have slight pitch from centre to gal- vanized scuppers placed alongside walls; scuppers to drain to spouts in end of walls. Water Guards. — Mould- ing strips (suitably beveled) to be placed at head of stairway and around elevator shaft. Beams, Girders and Posts. — Floor.s to be supported on 8x12 inch beams, spaced 8 feet on centres; beams to be carried in wrought iron stirrups thrown over 14x16 inch girdeis spaced 1.5 feet on centres; girders in turn sup- ported on 12x12 inch posts with cast iron caps and on templates in side walls. All timbers to be of hard pine and chamfered. Roof girders, beams and posts need not be as heavy as those for floors. No beams or girders to be fastened into side walls. They should enter the wall, however, far enough (say 3 inches) to secure a good bear- ing, in addition to the support given by a corbel or pilaster. The beams and girdeis should be cut on a bevel of 3 inches, so that in case they burn and fall they will release themselves without tearing out the wall. Timber shrinks in thickness, not lengthwise, and sufficient allowance must be made for this shrinkage in order to obtain a good final drainage to scuppers at side walls. Piers. — If 1st floor need T/N ROOF ON 3"xa" ROOF-PLANKS (splined) be several feet above ground (by reason of dampness) the story posts should be supported on brick piers, 20x20 inch, resting on concrete footings, 43^x4 3^ feet X 2 feet. Stairways. — To have heavy oak treads and risers, and to be enclosed in 2 -inch oak plank, with self-closing oak doors. Stairways should be preferably enclosed in brick walls, or by partitions of 2-inch fire proof blocks set in angle iron frames. Elevators. — To have self-closing traps or hatches. Fire Shutters. — Standard fire shutters to be placed on all sides having exposures within 80 feet, and in all windows overlooking boiler house. CROSS SECTION. ^ WATER PROOF PAPER. W.I. BEAM HANGER- DETAILS OF FLOUR AND OF FLOOR BEAMS. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WXREHOUSE. HEIGHT: To be not more than two stories. AREA: To be not more than 7500 square feet. FLOORS: To have slight pitch from centre to scuppers at walls. STAIRWAY: To be inclosed in heavy plank partition, and to have doors writh spring hinges. ELEVATOR: To have self-closing hatches. WATER GUARDS: Moulding strips to be at head of stairway, and around elevator shaft. BEAMS to enter walls three inches for a proper bearing but not to be anchored to the walls unless by self-releasing anchors. Pilasters, piers or corbels to be provided for a better bearing. TIMBERS: All timbers, except those under first floor, to be dressed and chamfered and beams entering walls to be cut on a bevel ol three inches so as to be self-releasing if burned through. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER t7 Boiler House. — To be brick, one story, with tin, gravel or sbitr covered roof of solid '2-ineh splined planking on clear span wooden trusses; bottom chord of trusses to be not less than 'i feet over crown of boiler setting; stack to be brick, with brick or jirotected metal breeching; floor of boiler house to be brick or concrete. If boiler house ad.ioins factor}', all o]ienings to factory to have standard vestibule fire doors. Steam Heating. — Factory to be heated by steam jnpes resting in metal racks fastened in side walls. All steam pipes to be protected by metal thimble where passing through floors or frame partition. Drj'ing. — [Southern Warehouses]. Tlie South- Eastern Tariff Association standard re- quires an outside dry house. The next method in favor is the old-style dry room, with steam pipes safelj* arranged. If steam jets are intro- duced, a reduction is allowed, and a still greater one for the protection of standard sprinklers. The new patent dryers, with arrangement of steam coils in metal bos with fa)i, while verj- effective from a manufacturing stand- point, are very unfavorable from the insurance point of view. There is a high charge for these, which, however, may be reduced somewhat by the in- troduction of steam .lets or automatic sprinklers, or Ixith. Lighting to be by gas with well guarded jets; or by electricity, with standard installation. Fire Extinction. — One inside 3)2- inch vertical piiie, with .50 feet of 3 inch hose, each floor; water supply from .'),000 gallon tank, elevated 1.5 feet above roof, or from city water system. One dozen chemical pails, each floor. Casks of water and fire pails should also be on each floor; the casks maj' be covered with strong wrapping, or parchment paper, to keep out dust and prevent rajsid evaporation. Watchman and clock. Fixed iron ladder on accessible side. A building of such construction as described above should l)e built at a cost of not more than 30 per cent, additional to the cost of one of ordin- ary joisted interior construction; and if all details as described are followed out, a fire insurance rate should l)e L x: ^s w L 9iSCh UNDER B£AM >^. -^ s RAN ire ^ tUBLUESTONC BRICK PIEK 24' XB^' CONCRETE 4-B X4'$ X 2-0 PIER AND POST PLAN "B." secured to make the extra cost a good investment. Where manufacturing is carried on, an addition or wing should be built for storage of manufactured goods and for raw stock in hog.sheads. The section should be of similar con- struction to factory and cut off by parapetted brick wall, with all openings to factory protected by vestibule fire doors. N.B. — The posts of each floor should rest diiectly on the iron caps of the liost in the floor below. The post in the first story should preferably rest on stone caps on lirick piers; the stone caps may be of lilue stone or granite, as shown in the diagram B. Spotted Cuban Salvador Rodriguez, on returning to his New "Vork office from Tampa and Havana, says that the ijresent year's tobacco crop, while wofuUy deficient in wrappers, is in some other respects not deserving all the hard things that have been said about it. The yield of wrappers, even in the most expensive bale, is extremely small and most of them are more or less spotted ; but out- side of the wrapper proposition the to- bacco in this year's crop he deems admirably adapted to the wants of the clear Havana manufacturer. The bum is sttperior to that of anj' tobacco pro- duced for several yeais, while in flavor and aroma he declares that much of it is really superb. His investigations while in Cuba convinced him that there are practical- ly no wrappers in this year's crop that are free from spots, and therefore the smoking public will have to learn to accept spotted cigars for a time in clear Havana goods at least. Personally he would be inclined to regard with suspicion anything purporting to be clear Havana from new tobacco which was free from spots. Of course by specially careful selection it might be possible to get an occasional cigar, or even an occasional box of cigars, fairly free from spots, but such a thing as a case of cigars of that character is likely to be unknown to manufacturers who are dependent upon the new toVacco for Havana wrappers. 0) o -Jc- 18 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER THE HILL Mantifacttired by the Hillman Tobacco Cxirer Company, NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Patented April 1st, 1Q02. It governs tlie atmosplieric conditions, prevents sudden changes and dispels dampness, tljereljy producing a ligliter colored crop. It creates a circulation evenly through the shed. The air may he Ideated if required to v^ilt or dry. It can readily he seen that no grower of tohacco can af- ford to he without one, the machine will pay for itself sev^eral times the first year, if a had year. This machine may be seen in operation in Suffield, and Granby Station, Con- necticut. Westfield, Hatfield, or Hadley, Massachusetts. Only a few more can be obtained this season as there is not time to manufacture more. Investigate and order at once. Save your tobacco free from pole-burn. It will do it. Hillman Tobacco Curer Company, NORTHAMPTON, MASS. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 19 luthe:r m. case. WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, Packer and Dealer in Connecticut Leaf Tobacco. Shade Grown JE^J^ Sumatra in Bales. Main Warehouse and Office, Pine Meadow, Conn, BRMMCH IVJiREHOUSES: Stmdiwick, Mass., — Fureinan, H. L. IVIiller. l'\-ist Catiaan, Conn.,— Foreman, L- F. Broiison. liarkhanisted, Conn.,— Foreman, L. A. T.(ee. Nurlh HalfioM, Mass.,— Foreman, Willis HoUlen. New Hartford. Conn , — Foreman. James Stewart. SUMATRA PLANTATIONS: Pine Meadow, Conn., 25 Acres. Barkhamsted, Conn., 20 Acres. South wick, Mass., J 5 Acres. I| Always in the market for old Tobacco if well assorted and packed. ^ Havana Seed Wrap- pers a specialt)', assorted and sized into thirty-two grades. ...... wmm^mmmmmmfmmmmm mm New York Market Auspicious Opening of the Season for Selling 1Q02 Natural Sweat THE second week of August luis been a rather eventful one in leaf circles, inasmuch as it signalled the first marketing of the natural-cured 1903 domestic tobacco. The sale of these goods has openeil auspiciousl.y, and in a manner wliich indicates that packers holding good tobacco will not find it at all difhcult to unload. Sampling in the country is progressing rapidly, as is also the work of grading the tobacco by the packers. A few of the latter have almost or completely finished these operations and are now showing their entire holdings. Out-of- town buyers are arriving in large num- bers, and quite a little new tobacco changed hands during the week. At the present time Connecticut broadleaf holds the centre of the stage. Where great care was taken in packing this tobacco, the goods have sampled out in fine condition; but packers who refused to throw out sick tobacco at assorting time simply becau,se it cost too much, are now showing a line of samples that are not pleasant to look upon. Owing to the marked difference in many of the ijackings, the prices be- ing paid vary materially. Some run- ning lots were sold at from 34 to SSc, while others brought from Mil to 85c. Clean seconds are averaging about 30c. Light wrappers sold from 40 to .TOc. The Havana Seed shown so far is below the average. Some packings show considerable damage, while others again are almost entirel}' free from it. The percentage of light wrappers will probably not exceed eight per cent, of the crop. Prices for such goods range from 50 to 70c. Running lots have been sold at from 30 to :50c, while clean leafy seconds are bringing 35c. Run- ning lots of seconds range from 33 to 34c. For picks all kinds of prices are being paid. Some advance samples of the 1903 Wisconsin Havana Seed have been shown in the market, and if these can be used as a standard of .iudgment, the crop will be a very good one. It is claimed that that State will furnish binders enough to make up, in part, for the shortage of Connecticut binder stock. Two good- sized packings,, amounting to a few thousand cases, were sold from jjackers' samples during the past week, one going to a leaf house and the other to an Eastern manufac- turer. A few packings of the new State to- bacco have^^ just been sampled, and packers of this leaf^^^are^just getting ready to show their goods. No actual business is reported as yet. The 1903 Zimmer Spanish, it is claimed, promises to be fully up to the 1901 crop. The new goods will be through the sweat earlier than usual, and will probably be on the market in October. Everything indicates that this years' offering of domestic leaf will not be etjual to the demand, which has in- creased proportionately with the ad- vancing cigar consumption. — New York Tobacco Leaf. Turkish Leaf The 1908 crop of Turkish tobacco is reported as not up to the average. The revolutions in that country are having a disturbing effect upon the tobacco market. IT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW: The best place in Hartford to buy Jew- elry, to buy a watch, to have a watch repaired. It's over on Pearl street, just a little way from Main. GEORGE W. BALL, Diamond Broker and Je^veler, 65 PEARL ST., HARTFORD, CONN. 20 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER The International Tobacco Cloth Plantation Boarding-house Equipment. We are in a position promptly to supply all requirements for the o equipment of plantation boarding-houses, and the large orders we o have filled for such goods testify to our success in this branch of , business. We supply bedding, furniture, cooking utensils, table ^ cutlery, crockery, mattings; in fact everything needed for a com- ° plete establishment. We carry, also, harnesses and horse clothing, in all styles and for ° all uses. Prompt shipments and careful attention to details mark our 0 treatment of orders. FORBEvS esiy IIS itnd Trade Marks. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 50 State Street, - Hartford, Connecticut Andrews & Peck, MANUFACTURERS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Doors, Windows and Blinds. Manufacturers' Agents for Akron Sewer Pipe and Land Tile. We make a specialty of hotbed sash. Office, S8 MarKet Street, Mill: Charter Oafc and Vrcdendalc Avenues, HARTFORD, CONN. ^he New Cn^land Tobacco Grower HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. OCTOBER, I903 Broadleaf R.eg(ion Cast Hartford and Neig'Kboring To^vns Are Selling I903 Crop at Oood Prices THE tobacco is curing beautifully. It began by taking on a nice golden color, a siu'e sign that the cure will be good. Although my neighbors seem tc think that the ci-op will run about an average in weight, I confess I cannot agree with them. From present in- dications I believe that the weight will run light. A remarkaVile thing this summer was the scarcity of tobacco worms. I have found but one on my five acres during the past season. Comparing this year with 1890, when, it will be remembered we had so many of the pests, it can readily be seen that the tobacco worm will soon be a thing of the past Several more sales of broadleaf have been made. Among those who have recently sold are Henry Pitkin, six acres, at 33 cents in the bundle, and J. W. Helm, eight acres, at 33 cents in the bundle. Both these crops were sold to Fred Graves, a cigar manufac- turer of New Haven, for his own use. Dennis Reordan sold 1.5 acres at 3H^ cents and 20 acres at 30 cents. T. A. Johnson sold eight acres at 30 Jo cents, and Jones Brothers sold 30 acres at 35 cents. All these sold to Sutter Brothers. Taylor & Sons of Westheld bouglit a crop of four acres from Miss Kate Mahoney at 24 cents in the bundle; also the crops of John Hartnett, ten acres, and Willard Burnham, three acres, at 30 cents. Michael Mc- Guire sold six acres at 38 cents to Lewis Osterweis of New Haven. These are to be delivered assorted ex- cept the three mentioned as being sold in tiie bundle. East Hartford. Glastonbury Tobacco in this vicinitj' is all gathered. Owing to cold and wet weather early in the season the tendencj- was to top low. After topping the crop grew well and was absolutely sound when gathered. It is of good weight, is cur- iii'.,' well, light in color and so far free from pole sweat. Probably two-thirds, perhaps more, was sold in the field, at prices ranging from 33 to 36 cents. The buyers were liraham, Taylor, Huntting and Sutter Brothers. Warehouse Point The following crops of Havana have been sold up to this writing: Thomp- son Brothers, 18 acres at 33 cents; Frank M. Thompson, seven acres at 33 cents: Frank Hamilton, seven acres at 33 cents: Phelps Brothers, 14 acres at 311-2 cents; Lai;\Tence Daly, eight acres at 3 Jij cents ; S. D. Rockwell, three acres at 30 cents: John Canfield, five acres at 33 cents: Arthur Pascoe, tour acres at 31,1/^ cents; J. A. Pacsoe, six acres at 30 cents; Arthur Pascoe, seven aci'es at 33 cents and John Bassinger, three acres of seed at 30 cents. The majority of these crops were bought by Hinsdale Smith & Co., of Spring- field. The growers in this section are well pleased with the crop, never having had a better cure. The leaf is sound, free from sweat and in all respects the lightest and best ever grown. There are a few fine seedleaf lots still unsold. Henry Osborne has five acres, Frank M. Thompson six acres and E. O. Bancroft two acres. The Thompsons are to deliver their tobacco abjut October 20th. Some growers will not sell as the dealers will not place no money on the crop. Sylvester D. Rockwell sold six acres Havana for 20 cents in bundle, two acres on new land and dark color. T. Hockanum Chauncey Vibberts of Brewer street, one of the oldest residents in the south part of the town, droiiped dead in his garden Tuesday evening, aged 80 years. He was a farmer by occu- pation and had always been a resident of this town. Since the death of his wife several years ago he had lived by himself. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Ira Tolles of Meriden. Shaker Station The Shakers' South farm yielded twelve acres of Havana tobacco that was harvested in August, and is of a ver}' sound crop, free from injury by hail, worms or insects. The first shed filled is now about cured, and proves to be of an elegant light color. King Street. Enfield A. H. Potter, a tobacco grower, figured lately in an exciting episode at his home on King street. A transient ■■vorkman named Elgin Palmer, who had been emploj'ed by Mr. Potter dur- ing the tobacco .season and who boarded at his emploj'er's home, went to the house in an intoxicated condi- tion at a late hour in the night and when Mr. Potter tried to get him to |co to his room for the night he refused. The two men became greatlj' excited and during the argument Palmer's roommate became involved and Potter went to the cellar and soon returned armed with a baseball bat. A general mix-up ensued, the result being that Mr. Potter was cut in the neck with a knife and Palmer received a terrific blow over the eye with the bat. The latter made his escape, but returned in the morning for the re- mainder of his clothing. He was de- tained there until the ofiicers in Thompsonville arrived when he was arrested by Constable Thomas Hayden, and subsequently jailed. Wallop A rural delivery route has been established in the eastern part of the town of Enfield, covering 'Wallop and Jabbock di.stricts, the route to start from the Hazardville post-oflBce. Henry F. Tracy has been appointed River Street, Suf field Tobacco which has been housed ten days is showing a bright, light color and is of fine quality. It is curing down fine, with no pole sweat and bids fair to weigh out satisfactorily. There have been no sales. Several pieces of hail-cut tobacco have been left on the field to be plowed under or carted off, other pieces have been cut and housed. B. Hillstown Tobacco in Hillstown has all been harvested and was found in good cim- dition. No hail or hard winds have been in this section this season. The season has been somewhat later than usual. Several buyers have been around looking over the tobacco and two or three crops are reported sold. The present weather has been very favorable for the curing process and the tobacco is looking nice at tins time. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Use of Stalks Tobacco Growers AVHo Put tHe Tobacco StalKs ThrougK Ensilage Cutters IT IS the practice of manj' tobacco growers to cut the tobacco stalks with an ensilage cutter, obtaining in this way a fertilizing material regarded by them as worth four or five times the price of stable manure. In fact, the value of stalks is more and more appreciated, and each season finds the ensilage cutter added to the equipment of the tobacco farm. The cutting of the stalks comes at a time when other work is not pressing, and does not involve great expense, especially when this item is taken into consideration with the additional fer- tilizing value that the stalks have over the uncut. ; While many of the farmers use the stalks on their tobacco land, others prefer to spread them on grass land or use them in connection with other crops. The cut stalks are easy to apply, being spread by hand or prefer- ably with a manure spreader. The stalks of the tobacco plant are said by investigators to contain more nitrogen than the stem of tobacco leaves, and to contain less potash than the stems. The nitrogen in the stalks runs from three to four per cent, and in the stems from two to three per cent. ; the potash running four to five per cent, in the stalk and sis to ten per cent, in the steins. The potash is free from chlorine and most of it in soluble form. Tobacco stems are sometimes treated with nitrate of soda in order to bring up their percentage of nitro- gen. Both the stalks and stems seem to be lacking in phosphoric acid, analy- sis showing about one- half of one per cent. Analyses made at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station years ago showed that large amounts of plant food and particularly of potash are con- tained in the stalks of tobacco from which the leaves have been stripped. In the Report for 1893, pages 31 to 34, it is shown, from results of actual field tests, that the barn-cured stalks from an acre of tobacco weigh about 3,500 pounds and contain about 33 pounds of nitrogen, eight of phosphoric acid, 13 of lime and 49 of potash. That is, about one-third of the plant food taken up by a tobacco crop is con- tained, after curing, in the stalks. Westfield to Hartford Charles L. Jobes and Benjamin Vaber worked side by side in the to- bacco fields at Westfield. They came to Hartford, one morning recently and Vaber invested |8 in a suit of clothes, making the purchase on Front street. The clothes were wrapped in a bundle and Vaber gave it to Jobes to hold for him while he went to take something for the hay fever. All of this must have taken place at an early hour, as at 9:40 o'clock Vaber was locked up at the police station for drunkenness. He was released in the evening and when he found Jobes on Front street he asked for his new clothes. Jobes said he had been walking in the meadows and had left the bundle near the Willimantic bridge. Then he to went to the meadows to look for the bundle. After looking around a little while Jobes became weary of the search and gave it up, saying he could not remember ,iust where he had hidden the bundle. Vaber turned Jobes over to Ofllcer Flanigan and the policeman took the to men to the police station. Jobes was locked up on suspicion. The police believe he sold the clothes. They argue that a man who worked in a toisacco field all summer would not look for recreation by strolling through the meadows. Mexican Tobacco For a number of years tobacco grow- ing in Mexico has been on the increase. All that can be produced finds a ready market both in Europe and the United States, apart from the home consump- tion and the new markets in South America on both coasts. In the great tobacco district of Tuxtla, Tuxtei^ec and Playa Vicente, in the region where the states of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca meet, the acreage added to the old plantation is very great, and the crop which will be gathered this autumn is estimated at over 32,000,000 pounds. On many plantations the crop is already pur- chased for delivery as gathered, and there is great competition among the buyers for export, who have to meet orders received from Europe and the United States. Greek Tobacco Prices The price of tobacco in Greece has doubled within a year, owing to American competition in the market there. Quincy, Florida The Florida Tobacco Company has erected a new building, of which the main part, containing four floors, occu- pies a space of 135x50 feet, and is so arranged as to make it, in every way, a model packing-house. The fourth floor of the building, like the second and third, undivided, will be used for drying purpose, while on the second and third the sweating process will be conducted. The basement, which is laid with brick, is divided into to large rooms measuring 88x50 and 37x50, the former of which will be used as a tying room, and the latter, as a dining-room for the employes. This is one of the largest firms in Quincy, they contracted for the grow- ing of 800 acres of Cuban and 150 acres of shaded Sumatra, and have bought man}' thousands more. Hirschberg & Rosenberg own a to- bacco i^lantation about twelve miles northeast of Tallahassee, upon which they have grown three crops of shaded Sumatra wrapper, and they have pur- chased another large tract of land situ- ated at Lake Jackson, which is the first station out of Tallahassee on the G. , F. & A. railroad. They have given out a contract for the building of shades for about fifty acies of tobacco, besides barns, packing houses, stables and a beautiful resi- dence for the superintendent. Work ^ was begun September 1, at Lake Jack- son. The $50,000 syndicate recently or- ganized in Tallahassee to grow tobac- co, which jjurchased the fine planta- tion of John Collins, three miles south of Tallahassee, have just put a large force of men to work building barns, sheds and packing houses, in which to handle and cure their product. Burley Under Cloth The American Tobacco Comjiany has produced what it regards as the finest crop of cigarette tobacco ever grown in Kentucky as the result of its experi- ment at Maysville, in that state. A crop of Burley tobacco was raised un- der cloth, and it was found that the leaves grew faster and larger and were thinner than the same type of tobacco grown in the open air. Castor Bean and Weevil The attention of the Texas boll weevil reward commission has been called to the demonstrated fact that the cultivation of castor bean in cotton rows is a certain preventative of the pest. The exjieriment was tried by a farmer living near Austin his season. Not a weevil or other insect can be found in the whole field, while the cotton on the ad,iacent farms has been ruined. It has long been known that the castor bean plant will drive awaj' mosquitoes and flies. Tampa A September gale which struck Tam- pa removed the roofs from several ci- gar factories, and did considerable damage to stocks of tobacco. East Longmeadoiv Frank E. Strong of Springfield has sold the Turcott farm in East Long- meadow to Joseph F. Loveley of Springfield. Morth Carolina Fire A fire which occurred September 7 in the tobacco warehouse district ot Kinston, North Carolina, destroyed property to the value of |30,000. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Bowkcr's Tobacco Fertilizers Mr. W. I. Stevens, of Hockanuiii, says the Bowker Fertilizers are standards of excellence, and he has been able to fjrow some of the Mr. Herman Ude, SuEHeld, Conn., says : " My tobacco was fertil- ized with Bowker's Tobacco Ash Elements and my crop was . . . Mr. N. S. Brewer, of Hockanum, writes that last season he grew one of the best crops he ever had, on Bowker's Tobacco Starter. A Mr. Geo. W. Root, of West Suftield, g^rew last season, on Bowker's Tobacco Ash Ele- ments, the finest tobacco very fine fine leaf finest in the Connecticut Valley during the past few years. Mr. Stevens is a large, expert tobacco grower, and his experience makes this testimonial valuable. I consider this fertilizer an ex- cellent substitute for cotton hull ashes in growing tobacco." of good cinnamon color, and is enthusiastic over his success. Mr. Brewer is a buyer as well as a grower. he ever grew, and sold it to The American Tobacco Company at a good price. Other testimonials for which there is not room, all agree with the above. Why? If you are one of our customers you know. If not, our local agents will gladly assist you to learn. BOWRER FERTILIZER. COMPANY 218 5tate Street, Hartford, Conn. TKe Bottom Tier Demand for a R.emarKable Shed TKat "Will Have No First Tier BOTTOM tiers have always been a source of intermittent oonteinpla- tion on the part of the tobacco grower, the tobacco buyer and the builder of sheds. If someone conlil invent a shed without any bottom tiers, he would be doing a favor to the tobacco Industry. Observe the Tactions of the tobacco grower. In anticipation of the harvest time he has prepared a shed in ^which to hang the crop. The plants ripen, and he cuts them down and hangs them in the shed. He fills the shed from the peak to the giound, and from one end to the other, so full that he crowds back the oifter leaves when he closes the large doors at the end. So it follows that during the curing season the farmer has in his shed the result of the year's labor and outlay, as represented in the several acres of to- bacco contained in the shed. He knows that the tobacco is there because he has had his share in the hanging, and he can see one side of each end plant when he opens the little doors around the shed. Moreover, if he so desires, he can get down on liis hands and knees and crawl around in the little space that remains^between the ground and tip ends of the plants in the bottom tire. But explorations conducted in tliis fashion ate never very satisfactory, and such observation as is bestowed comes upon the bottom tier, where the con- ditions may be different from the main body of the hanging crop. Likewise the grower reflects upon the fact that the bottom tier is the one that was hung last, and where the harvesting is spread over any length of time, the bottom tier is never in the same stage of curing as the tobacco in the peak. The dampness, also, has way of get to the ground and of making its pres- ence noticeable in the leaves hung (in the lowest poles. Portland. South Vernon, Vermont The curing season has come along in a very satisfactory, waj', and tlie to- bacco growers anticipate a most suc- cessful outcome of the year's work. No crop was ever harvested in sounder condition. F. W. Johnsf)n lias been making an extensive trip of inspection in the to- bacco growing towns. He went from Greenfield to Hartford bj- trolley, stop- ping off at many points along the line. Charge of Smuggling Joseph Wahrman, a toliacco dealer at No. 116 Chrystie street, New York, was arraigned September 9, before Commissioner Ridgeway in the Federal building, charged with acting as a fence for smuggled leaf tobacco, sold to him by two of the Konigin Louisa's firemen. Thorn and Scbooii, who were also arrested. Thom and Schoon turned state's evidence. They swore they obtained llie stuff from a Hoboken liquor dealer, who deals regularly in smuggled to- bacco and handles much of it. Sailors from the Dutch steamships, they said, liring the tobacco, wrapped about their waists, to the Hoboken man and, through a panel, it is taken from them and given to other sailors who sell it to apparently reputable tobacco mer- chants. Sumatra leaf tobacco, used for wrappers of high-grade cigars, costs in Holland 80 cents a pound and sells here at about $3.50. Wahrman was held in |1,.500 bail, which was fur- nished. The two sailors were paroUed. — New York Commercial. In the Bundle That more tobacco will be sold this season after it is in the bundle than before, is the opinion of an observant grower. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Maryland in 1666 Strentxous Effort of Colonial Legislature to Pre- vent Overproduction of Tobacco IN lbacco is curing well. Some of the early cuttings are nearly cured. The weather on the whole has been ideal for a good cure. The color is running lighter than last year. There has been no pole-sweat to date. The weight of the crop is heavier in many cases than 1902, although some predict a lighter crop than an average one. A few sales are reported for the 1903 crop. Tax Collector Wetherbee and Harry Hudson of SouthwicK have sold to John Decker for 30 cents in the bundle, and have received cash pay- ments on some to bind the bargain. The total bought is about 12 acres. Tobacco is now all harvested. No better crop has l;een put in the sheds for yeai'a and it is generally expected that fair prices will prevail. Washing Powder ro8®iKii»t ill ^-iftandCompany CHICAGO Swiffs Washing Powder CLOTHING i ■ Swift's Washing Powder is the Tidy Housewife's best friend. Try a package and see for yourself. SWIFT PROVISION COMPANY, 19 JOHN .STRKKT. BOSTON, HASS THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO 'GROWER Japanese Monopoly Experience of tKe Oriental Government in Con- trolling tKe Tobacco Industry TT IS now four years since the Jap- anese government established its tobacco monopoly. So far it has proved anything but the grand source of revenue expected of it. Its promoters thought that apart from the increased revenue it would improve the growth and enlarge the export, but in these re- spects also it has been disappointing. There are no large tobacco planters in this country. Numerous small farmers raise each a small quantity, hence in order to prevent oltences against tlie monopoly laws a small army of official is required, yet illicit dealings and smuggling are by no means uncommon. In the second year of its working the monopoly department reported the detection of over 7,000 cases. The number of undetected cases may be imagined. So far from helping to in- crease the export trade in the leaf, the monopoly has killed it. Prior to the establishment of the system the stock of Japanese leaf in the United King- dom, the only country to which it was exported — was usually about 15,000 bales, now it is nearly nil. The working of the system is as follows: First of all, intending grow- ers must apply for permission to the monopoly department, stating the area they propo.se to cultivate. When gi-own all the tobacco must be brought to the monopoly office on or before March HI of the following year. The price to be paid to the growers is fixed beforehand. It is arrived at by dividing the crop into gi-ades. In the year 1900 there were eighteen grades. Each of these again was divided into first, second and third quality. Then, again, in each quality the leaf was sepai-ated into four sorts, viz : top leaves, upper middle leaves, lower middle leaves and ground leaves, thus making 31(5 grades and prices. On being brought to the local office of the monopoly the to- bacco is inspected, graded and paid for; It is then distributed to other places, each bale being marked by a little wooden ticket giving its grade and weight, and also a number. The leaf thus packed is sold by the kwamme (about '8 14 pounds) on its original weight. The monopoly's profit was originally fixed at cent per cent.', but has now been increased to 1,50 per cent. Among the causes th^t have militated and will most likely continue to militate against this experiment may be mentioned the following: The grower's chief ol)ject is to get his to- bacco oflE his hands as soon as he possibl3' can, thus throwing any risk of deterioration c)nto the monopoly, and the earlier is it taken the better for him. as the moisture contained in it means more money to him. And now that he has a sure market he does not take the same care as formerly, and thus the tobacco not seldom goes into the monopoly's warehouses in a half cured state, and owing to scarcity of competent experts it sometimes spoils and becomes worthless. It is believed that there are considerable qauntity of tobacco held by the monopoly in this state. To these drawbacks must be added deterioration of the culture. As "ad valorem " profit of I.IO per cent, is gradually but surely forcing the finer brands of tobacco out of cultivation, because every rise in the percentage of profit causes the manufacturer to use a lower grade: thus the standard of tobacco used is lowered without the revenue being benefited. Again, while the profit is collected on original weights, there is always a considerable shrinkage by drying, ranging from 13 to 2r> per cent. ; hence the manufac- turer has to pay loO per cent, on to- bacco which does not exist, and though the precautions against smuggling are largely ineffectual the expenses of working the system are wastefuUy high. Finally, the import of foreign leaf, which is also in the hands of the monopoly, has been very small, the profit being the same as on the native leaf — 1.")0 per cent. STJtTE STREET. HJtRTFORD L. B. Haas & Co. report business fairly good. They think that the gi-eater part of the buying of the 1903 crop will be done after it is in the bundle. Mr. Haas showed the writer a number of leaves of shade-grown Cuban tobacco taken from the 1903 crop of The Connecticut Tobacco Cor- poration and said that if the leaves came through the sweat and showed up as well as they do now, that is, were no thinner or thicker, they will be without doubt ideal. Miller & Shepard report business an average one for this season of the year. They have recently bought the ,1903 crop of 140 cases from Clark Brothers of Poquonock. This tobacco, was sampled by Joseph M. Gleason, tq- b,a9go inspector. -'^'I^r ,,|;. A. & W. F. Fuller report; ^^ average business. They will not begin to buy for a little while yet. A. & S. Hartman say that business is fairly good. They finished harvesting their tobacco in Manchester September 18. They do not expect to do much buying before the tobacco is in the bundle. Ruscher & Co. .through their inspect- or, Joseph M. (Tieason,338 State street, Hartford, report that business this season has been excellent. Mr. (ileason still has a number of crops to sample out, which will keep him busy for the next few weeks. M. WANT ADVERTISEMENTS. Advertisements under ibis head cost one cent a word eacli time; no advertisement taken for less than twenty cents: cash or stamps must accompany orders; wliich should be re- ceived by the 25th of the month. WANTED TO PURCHASE— Used tenting- cloth in any quantity; bifrhest prices paid ; state weig-ht oryardag-e. Papek Stock, Draw- er 42, Hartford, Connecticut. FOR SALE— In Easthampton, Mass., a farm of 43 acres, g-ood house and barn, will keep 12 cows and has ^of>d milk route. Finely located, a mile from churches, schools and cars. Ad- dress E. L. AUyn. Westharapton, Mass. WANTED— About 12 second-hand window sash; also window frames; will also buy second- hand matched stuff and flooring- boat'ds. Wil- liams, care The New England Tobacco Grower, , Hartford. WANTED— The advertiser, now employed desires to engrage for the fall and winter, to takechargre of tobacco warehouse; experienced. J. C-. care The New England Tobacco Grower, :Hartford. IVhen You Want PHOTOGRAPHS Compare work and. prices Entire Satisfaction Guaranteed /€! yy .^r NEARTRUMBUI ST. LL. HARTFORD. CQNM. CERTAINLY We will guarantee to daplicate any sub mittpd sample of tobacco paper .^t from 3 to 3 1-2 cents a pound. Write or call for samples, or telephone to us at onr expense. Might also see us about your twine. Telephone 1406-4. LENOX PAPER COMPANY, 243 Wortliington Street, Springfield, Mass. STABLE MANURE In car or cargo lots. Prompt Delivery. Lowest Prices. R. M. GOODRICH, Hartford and New York T ransportation Company. Hartford, j^f Connecticixt JO THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER T5h€ New England Tobacco Grower Published monthly by Tobacco Grower Publishing Co, S3 Trumbull street, Hartford Fire Insurance Builtling Hartford, Connecticut. Subscription, One Dollar a Year. Ten Cents a Copy. Official Journal of The New Eng^land Tobacco Growers' Association. PAUL ACKERLY, Editor. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elected by The New Eng-laud Tobacco Growers' Association : Connecticut. Luther M. Case, Winsted. William J. Hayes, Tariffville, Col. E. N. Phelps, Windsor. W. E. Burbank, ThompsonviUe. Edward W. Dewey, Granbv. William F. Andross, East Hartford. Newell St. John, Simsbury. James S. Forbes, Burnside. H. O. Warner, New Milford. A. H. Clark, Poquonock. Ariel Mitchelson, Tariffville. H. H. Austin. Suffield. P. H. Woodford, Avon. Georg-e Bidwell, East Grauby. Allison H. Brown, Poquonock. S. P. Newberry, South Windsor. L. F. Bronson, East Canaan. A.C. Sternberg, West Hartford. , J. H. Pierce, Enfield. M. M. Fnsbie, Southington. L. A. Lee, Barkhamsted. A. N. Shepard, Gildersleeve. George Mitchelson, St. Paul. Massachusetts. Thaddeus Graves, Hatfield. H. L. Miller. Southwick. Lemuel Graves, Whately. James H. Day, Sunderland. B. M. Wainer, Hatfield. C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland. E. Cyrus Miller, Haydenville. Vermont. H. E. Gassett, Putney. Charles Brown, Westminster, New Hampshire. G. S. Smith, Hinsdale. F. A. Mtxrray* Business Representative, Volume IV. Number 2. Entered al the Hartford Post-Office as Second Class mail matter. HARTFORD, OCTOBER, 1903. THE CURING SEJtSOS TF there was ever before a more per- feet New England Autumn for the curing of tobacco, it has passed from the recollection of the growers. To begin with, there were weeks of the finest weatlier for harvesting, inter- rupted by an occasional storm, Init the •weather conditions were such that at no tim'e was there humidity in tlie sheds or any approach to the conditions which cause damage to the hanging to- bacop. The storm of September 5 was accompanied by hail in a few localities, a fact whicli led to the usual exaggera- tions in the newspaper reports. The bright warm weather of Septem- ber, with many danip flights, lias given the toViacco growers the satisfaction of seeing their croi)s develop quality and color in the sheds without the slightest drawbacks or handicaps in any respect. Meanwhile, the market for wrapper leaf has been moving in .lust the direc- tion desired by the growers, tor it is certainly becoming more apparent that the scarcity of wrapper has not been overestimated. The sales reported in this issue of The ISew England Tobacco Grower afford fresh proof of this fact. THE DESlRJfBLE DJtMP ^JEV'ERAL tobacco growers are ex- ^"^ perimenting this year with appa- ratus intended artificially to produce the dampness required for the- taking down of the tobacco from the poles. The plan most favored seems to be the introduction of steam iato the sheds in such a way as to obtain the desired degree of humidity in the air^ without any chance of cooking or other- wise injuring the hanging tj^bacco. The experiments which are being conducted in this line are of great val- ue to the tobacco growing trade, and the successful moistener will doubtless be generally adopted when it arrives. At the present time, however, there is not sufiiciently exact information on hand to convince all of the tobacco growers that tobacco can be brought by steam into condition for taking down without some risk being run of injur- ing the quality of the leaf. Testimo- ny, based upon experience, that steam is in no way injurious when used to hasten the taking down of tobacco, would be most acceptable to the tobac- co growers of New England. THE CUBJtM PLANTERS 'TpHE Department of Commerce at Washington has received from United States Consul (Jreneral Stein- hart an annual report on the conditiuus of commerce in Cuba wliich does not confirm the predictions madr by the friends of reciprocity. The Cuban reciprocity treaty remains pending, yet the planters of tobacco and sugar have apparently without difficult)' succeeded in restoring their plantations in the island to tlieir old conditions, and the ravages of war have been repari;ed, and all without the aid of a reduction of duhies as planned in the pending treaty. Not only liave practically all of the tobacco plantations been restored to cultivation, but the Cuban planters have been able to introduce such im- provements as the overhead sprinkling process of irrigation. Evidently they have been able to find a market for their product. Owing to want of rain, the 1902 crop did not cure so satisfactorily as usual and remained in a raw condition. The United States consumed about 6 per cent, of the crop, and the re - mainder went ohieflj' to three Europ- ean countries, --Q-ermany taking 12,000 bales at a valuation of *200,000; France, 2,000 bales for $116,000; and Spain. 28,000 bales for |350,000. The total amount of 1902 tobacco exported was 243,958 bales, valued at |i6,700, - 000. WIMDSOR Tobacco is all harvested and is cur- ing down in excellent style. Many growers admit that the curing season this year will compare favorably with that of 1892. Some persons who held the opinion a few weeks ago that to- bacco was not up to the average, have had ample cause to change their minds since and it is the general opinion of tobacco glowers and others that the crop in Windsor will sort out more nice light wrappers than any crop for a number of years past. John Gilligan has five acres wnich is curing down nicely and bids fair to bring a good price. The same might be said of the six-acre crop grown by William Gilligan. C. A. Huntington, who this year raised 30 acres of Havana .seed, says that in his estimation the crop, with the present curing weather, will prove to be a paying investment for the grower of 1903 tobacco. He says that in his opinion the cure has more to do in making a good crop of tobacco than the growth, and argues that a crop of good growth poorly cured will not average as much good tobacco as a crop of medium growth well cured. Mr, Huntington has his crop of 1902 Havana tobacco, 1.50 cases, which was force-sweated in cases last June and which has just been sampled. He states that it sampled out in excellent shape. Harvey Bi others have a nice crop of seven acies, which, from present indi- cations.should bring a good price when bundled and ready for sale. A few buj-ers have been driving around looking at the tobacco but no sales have resulted. It is the opinion of most of the growers that the bulk of the buying will be done after the tobacco is stiipped. TSI. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER (t South Windsor A large barn, with a small to- bacco shed attached, owned by Miller & Shepard, was totally destroyed by file September 11. The shed contained about one and one-half acres of l!IO-i tobacco. The barn contained, besides hay, wagons, harnesses and tools, nine horses, three of which were burned. A bucket brifi;ade was formed, which, although unable to save the buildings where the lire started, was successful in preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings. The loss on the tobacco, horses, barns, etc., amounted to about |3,.500. The insurance is about |1,.'")0(). Glastonbury Builders P. A. Bantle of Glastonbury has this season built for F. Comstock a tobacco shed 81 X 11'?, and also a (34 -foot shed addition for W. G. Comstock. New Fairfield The tobacco in New Fairfield seems to be curing all right thus far. There has been no pole-sweat. ]S either have any sales been made of 1903 tobacco. The few remaining pieces, which were not cut early, have been harvested 4nring the past week, except one piece near Danburj' of about tw(j acres be- longing to Fred Steele, which has not been harvested at this writing. X. Poquonock As far as I am aide to judge at the pre.sent time tobacco is curing down fine, but it is yet too early to tell what the bulk of the crop will be. The early toliacco was of small gi'owth and con.sequently will be light weight. The later crop was of good growth and ought to produce as much per acre as the last two years. We have had no pole sweat. There have been no sales up to the piesent and no buyers. There have been a number of lookers, but they say the growers are holding their to- bacco too high. Help has besn plenty this fall and the tobacco moved in with as little friction as I have ever seen. The gale of the Itith did very little damage here. Buj'ing without doubt will com- mence early and there will probably be quite a rush for tobacco after it does. The prices at which broad leaf has sold on the east side of the Connecticut River this year will probably cause quite a few growers on the west side to set out some next season. If they do, the acreage of Havana seed will be reduced. Hockanum Merritt Smart has not sold his 1903 crop of tobacco, as has been reported. COMMERCE WITH NOM-COMTIGUOUS TERRITORIES Shipments fin value) of tobacco and its manufactures between the United States and its non-contiguous territories for the month of June, 1903, and for the twelve months ending June 30, 1903, compared with the same periods in 1902: ALASKA. , June, 1903— Shipments to — Amount. Unrnfactured — leaf. .lbs. . . . 3,835 Cigars M 1,085 Cigarettes M . . . . 371 Plug lbs 32,270 All other Total Dollars. 5+0 55,194 1,419 9,387 4,569 71,109 12 months end'g June 30, 1903. Amount. Dollars. 23.659 3,897 4,365 205,678 780 4,460 143,897 56,296 41,115 311,446 Twelve months ending June 30, ^ Shipments to — Citrars M . . Cig-areiles M-- Plug lbs. All other 1W2. Amt. Dollars. 29,317 66.603 1,746 235.003 Total Shipments from — Tobacco, manufactures of Shipments to- Unmanufactured — leaLlbs. Cig^ars M . . Cigarettes M.. PluST lbs.. All other Total Shipments from — Leaf lbs. Btems and trimmings, lbs. Cigars M.. Cigarettes M. . Total 1903 Amt. Dollars. 3.320 112.597 19,693 59,496 423.435 202.088 139.960 514.144 13,249 93,718 283,873 140,666 13 206 7,543 315 496 1,820 9,239 152.536 770,224 135,080 67,243 4,176 Shipments to TJnmannfactured— leaf. lbs. ■Cigars M. . Cigarettes M.. Plug lbs.. All other 131,783 76,745 PHILIPPINEJS. 1,746,483 8,829 1,683,237 1,890,391 380 20 4,150 1,332 190 205 10,648 1 1,500 Total 1,900 Shipments froth Leaf ^. lbs. Cigars, etc T M.. 5,484 24 943 24 11,993 6,943 238,708 11,661 3,600 ' 1,560 5,235 49,642 8,057 Warehouse Fire The (lonnecticut Valley Tobacco Corporation suffered the loss of its warehouse, which contained the entire crop of shade grown tobacco raised by them this past season, and also an acre growd by Clark Brothers. The building stood near Pcxjnonock, and was totally destroyed by fire in the early morning of September 10. The fire was re- ported to President F. A. Burnham of the corporation about three o'clock. The building had been insjiected at 1 :30 o'clock and was all right at that time. The building was a new one and was fitted with all the latest appliances for curing and preparing the tobacco for market. Every efforc was made, by the use of fire extinguishers, etc., to save the building but to no avail. The structure was about 40x70 feet, built of brick for the first story and shingled above. There had been no lights in or about the building previous to the breaking out of the fire, which started in the east end of the building. The lo.-,s is estimated at about |40,000, nearly covered by insurance. Kent Among those who have been through this section looking over the tobacco were M. Frank & Son, New YorK; J. B. Pitcher, Bridgewater, Conn. ; M. Michaelis, Lancaster, Pa., and J. G. Zimmerman, Tioy, N. Y. Schoverling-Kinney Company have given up the Hinsdale Smith & Com- pany warehou.se in Kent, which they have used for the past three years for packing pnrpcjses. Luther Eaton & Companj- closed out about 300 cases of their new to- bacco recentlv. It is the opinion of the growers in Kent that the 1903 crop will prove to be a good one, and all are looking for- ward to good prices. CURING JtT MJIPLETON Henry Fuller at Mapleton has a to- bacco shed fitted with steam jjipes to aid in the curing of the crop and he considers the experiment a complete success. In each bent is a steam radiator for drj'ing the air; over each radiator is an electric fan which spreads the dry air through the building. The steam is furni-shed by a boiler placed outside the building below the level of the radiators, which are laid on a grade, thus allowing the water to return to boiler. The electi-ic power is obtained from the Suflield electric light station, which is not more than fifty rods from Mr. Fuller's place. This apparatus, when once put in proper condition needs very little attention aside from tending fire. Mr. Fuller says that one veiy good thing in its favor, is that tobacco can be hung in the building immediately after cutting and wilted readily. Another is that the building is kept warm and your tobacco cures very light color. Many growers are visit- ing the experimental shed. 12 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Ellington While the tobacco crop here in Elling- ton has been late this j'ear, the farm- ers report good average growth with a prospect of a good leaf, good weight, and an exceptionally sound crop. Quite a number of crops have been sold at t'lom 14 to "'0 cents in the bundle. J. H. Lynch has been offered 23 cents foi eight acres of broadleaf sorted, and M. H. Aborn has had an otter of 3.5 cents sorted for about the same number of acres. C. B. SiKES, Jr. Windsor Locks The tobacco in this vicinity is curing in very satisfactory shape. The leaf is of a light color and very fine. There has not been any pole-sweat. The crop, while not so large a growth as in some years, will undoub- tedly yield as much merchantable to- bacco per acre as the past two seasons, when a large percentage was damaged by pole-sweat. The first sale reported in town was K. McCabe, ten acres, to Hinsdale Smith & Co., at private terms. There is no tobacco left to harvest, the most of it being in the sheds a week or ten days ago. M. West Granby Frederick Holcomb has raised under cloth two acres of Havana that forms the most remarkable growth of Havana ever seen in this region, if not in all New England. The many visitors who saw it at cutting time all ex- pressed their unqualified admiration for the tobacco, so heavy and uniform growth, with leaf of perfect texture and character. D. M. Holcomb primed and strung the crop in Sumatra style, except for a few plants he cut and hung. Jtvon Tobacco is curing with a better finish and color than last year. We have had no weather to sweat or mould to- bacco yet, and the prospect is that none will come. I think that tobacco will be light in weight tnis year. All the tobacco is harvested at this writing. Buyers are waiting for the leaf to cure down be- fore buying P. H. W. Putney The entire crop has now been har- vested. In weight it will run about medium and is curing off light. There has been no pole-sweat. There have been no sales, and no buyers in towns as yet. B. Suffield Corilelius Curtin has a broken arm, having been injured in falling while hanging tobacco. Broad Brook Richard Boyle has 10 acres of Havana, which is curing down nicely as is all the tobacco in Broad Brook. The weather for the past few weeks has been excellent for the curing proce.ss. The tobacco has passed the pole-sweat stage. The following sales have been made : Carl Pf letter, 14 acres, to Joseph Myers; Michael Sullivan, eight acres; James Wilson, eight acres; John Chaml)erlain, eleven acres, and Max Ertel, three acres, all to Hinsdale Smith & Company of Springfield. R. Contvay, Massachusetts Tobacco up to the present date is curing in fine condition, free from pole sweat, good color and texture and a little more body to leaf than last year. There have been no sales as yet, and most growers prefer not to sell until it is taken down and stripjied. C. P. Shade-Grown Cuban Tobacco gro'uni in New England under cloth from Cuban seed promises to receive the enthusiastic attention of the leaf trade, judging from the re- sults obtained at several Connecticut plantations this years. Scitico Good crops, sound and well handled, have been harvested by Groweis Mc- Namara Gowdy, Taylor and Bailey. The second crop of hay is proving of great value to the farmers whose de- pendence would otherwise have been on the unsatisfactory corn crop. Jtgauiam Tobacco in Agawam is curing a nice light color. There has been no pole sweat as yet. The crop as a I'ule will run light in weight. Tobacco has all been harvested. There have been no sales to date. F. Pomological President J. H. Hale of Glastonbury has been elected president of the American Pomological Society, which held its annual convention in Boston. Mr. Hale has been fruit grower from boy- hood. His specialty has been peaches and he is the largest grower of that fruit in the world. In addition to his home farm Mr. Hale has i^each orchards in Berlin, Seymour and in Georgia. He is president of the Glas- tonbury Business Men's Association, has been president of the American Nurseymen's Association and for seveial years was president of the Con- necticut Pomological Society. He is a member of the executive committee of the State Grange and was master of the Grange for four years, from 1886 to 1889. Mr. Hale was one of the Glastimbury Representatvies in the Connecticut Legislature in 1893. Fairbanks Branch Store The Fairbanks Company, manufac- tures of scales, trucks, gasolene engines, and other goods, have re- cently opened a branch store and ware- house in Hartford. It is located at 314 and 316 Pearl street and consists of the ground floor and basement of one of the stores for- merly occupied by Seidler & May. Tt has been thoroughly renovated and fitted up for this purpose. The main floor which is 80 x 30 feet, will be used as a show room and office. The basement, which is the same dimen- sions, is divided by a partition through the centre and will be used for receiving, shipping and storing goods. The Hartf(jrd branch is under the management of S. Frank Fox, who has represented the company in Hart- ford and vicinity for the past few years, and who has built up such an extensive business throughout Connec- ticut and Southern Massachusetts that it was deemed advisable by the com- pany to open this new store and ship- ping station for this trade alone. The company will carry here, as elsewhere, mill supplies, scales, trucks, gasolene engines and in fact all the numerous things which they manufacture. First Fall Inscription Amsterdam, September 18. Of the 17,784 bales of Sumatra offered at today's Fall inscription, only between eight and nine hundred bales were taken for America. This proves the falling off of the leaf ottered for use of the American trade. The quantity taken was nearl3' evenly divided up among a few of the large American houses. Late September Market New York, September 23. For ttiose who had good assortments of tobacco, either in new or old leaf, the past week has been a very active one. One firm alone disposed of over 3,000 cases of tobacco, composed of 1903 Wisconsin and 1930 Pennsylvania Broad leaf. The Wisconsin sells at a wide range of prices, according to grade, and the Pennsylvania brings 13 to 13 cents for running lots. The total sales of Wisconsin for the week aggregate about 1,.500 cases, and of Pennsylvania about 3, .500 cases, in- cluding a lot of 400 cases of 1901 Broad leaf, fillers out, which brought 13 cents Some 800 cases of 1903 Big B lats were sold for export at .5 Jj to 6 cents. Samples of the 1903 Zimmer Spanish are being shown in the market, and favorable judgment has been passed upon it. In most cases it is found to be uniformly packed and of good (juality. A few advance sales have already been consummated. The total sales of domestic leaf for the week past aggregate upwards of •'i.OOO cases. THE NE"W ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 13 Every Tobacco Gro-w^er and Every Farmer Needs One Fairbanks Gasolene Engines UTILITY DURABILITY ECONOMY Are three of their many excellent features. "A friend in need is a friend indeed." You can always rely on the "Fairbanks." A ready and willing- woiker. Let us tell vou more about thcni in our cataloyiie No. .?60. Vertical I h2 to lO H. P. Horizontal 3 H. P. up NeitKcr Can Yoti Afford to be 'WitHotxt a FAIRBANKS vSCALE We have a few Triumph Wagfon Scales, 3, 4 and 5 ton capacities, to build 14 ft. long- x I'/i ft. wide, to dispose of at a sacrifice to make room for othei goods. Write for prices, or call and see them at 314-316 Pearl Street, Hartford, Conn. The Fairbanks Company, MEW YORK. M- y- .Albany, N. Y. Baltimore, Md. Philadelphia. Pa. New Orleans, La. Boston, Mass. 314 (St. 310 Pearl Street, Huffalo. N. Y Pillshin-c Pa. Montreal. Que. Vancouver. B C London, E. C. , Hartford, Conn. Sunderland Six acres of land in Sunderland has been bought by the Amherst & Sunder- land electric road foi sidetracks to hold freight cars while being loaded with onions, tobacco and other produce. As these cars can be hauled directly to the Central Massachusetts station in Amherst and placed on the tracks ready to go east or west, the Sunder- land shippers will, it is expected, make a considerable saving over the old system of carting to South Ueerfield, the most accessible Boston & Maine station until now. The onion town has a growing freight traffic, the major part of which will now go o-s'er the Amherst & Sunderland tracks into Amherst. Apples are very uneven, some orchards being well laden with fair fruit, others with scarcely any on them. There is light yield of pears and less of plums. Quince bushes are nearly all dead or bearing fruit not fit to use. Years ago a quince orchard was quite profitable to the farmers. They would start with ten bushels of quinces and return witli $40 cash. Early potatoes are yielding better than expected with no scab or rot. Pastures are green and fresh. Silo corn is large and heavy. On the whole, crops are fair and if frosts hold off a fe-s\' -weeks there will be fully an average crop. Several of our farmers have given up raising cream, and are raising more onions and tobacco. Mapleton William Hailow. emiiluyed by Dwight Loomis, fell while hanging to- bacco September 15th, and was con- siderably bruised but no bones broken. Havana Regions While the early excitement among the buyers of ("onnecticut broadleaf was going on there was a good deal of viewing anil "looking round" by buy- ers in the Havana towns at the same time, and the tobacco buyers have not been able to hide their intense interest in the whole 1908 crop. Tight Sheds A tightly battened shed has had op- portunity to prove its worth during the past three -weeks, — a period not free from severe winds. On State Street The general opinion isthit with a shortage of good wrappers in the market, the 1903 crop should bring good prices. Brazil Experiment^ The state of Bahia, in Brazil, bus decided to establish an experiment station, in order to promote the culture and manufacture of tobacco. To this end the minister to this country from Brazil has been authorized to emiiloy an expert, preferably a Cuban, to take charge of the station. STUDIO 103Q MAIN ST.. HAR.TFOK.D Leading' Artist in PhotograpKy and General Portraiture. O r pboloi,'i-a|>lis ,u-e not '•:.h,ule- iri-,.\vnbul are made with the clearni-ss and exa^rt lilceness that win for us lennanent eustonu-rs Ue are after vour photographic trade Studio, I039 Main St., Opposite Morgan St. J. C. Bidwell ®. Co. Wholesale and retail dealers in all kinds of Roofing Material, Tobacco T-wines,Rope.TacKleBlocKs, Scales, TrucKs and Builders' Hard-ware. IN RUBBER DEPT. .\ FITLL LINE OF Rubber Hose, BlanKets and Sprayers. 237 Asylum St., Hartford, Conneciicut Our "Special" Tobacco Paper Keeps tobacco well. Guaranteed at/aiust striiifT cuLtint;-. Sold two carloads in Suflield alone last year. AsK Sara'l Orr, Chas. Hasldns, SufHeld, or your neiq-hbor about it. Arthur SiUes sells it in SufBeld or direct C. H. THOMAS 2 cents; Patrick Carey, turee and one -half acres at 31 cents; A. H. Potter, two acres at 30 cents; George Parsons, four acres at 19 cents, and Michael Nicholson, three acres, price not stated. All of this -)l ADS. THAT PAY are those that reach just the class of peo- ple to whom you want to sell your goods. If you want to do business with the to- bacco growersof New England, the adver- tising medium to use is The New Eng- land Tobacco Grower. Intelligent adver- tising in The New England Tobacco Grower makes good customers. It brings not merely a tran- s i e n t trade, b u t steady business, for the tcbacco growing industry is such that the grower finds himself in need of new equipment and new supplies at every season of the year. S»c NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROAVER, Hartford, Connecticut THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER J7 After Export Trade R.icKmond Interested in Movement of tKe A.tnerican Tobacco Company. RECENT developments in the to- haccd world, which promise to be very widespread in their effects np- on the trade in Virginia and all other tobacco growing sections, indicate to Richmond observers a purpose on the part of the American Tobacoo Com- pany, commonly viewed in the light of a combination of manufacturers, to enter the leaf business as well and compete actively for the trade now covered by individual and independent exporters located in Richmond and other places. The movement is the latest step in what appears to be the intention of the great corporation gradually' to secure the control of the tobacco industry in all its varied forms. Heretofore its energy has been directed .toward monopolizing the manufactured busi- ness, and in this it has now largely succeeded. The great factories have nearly all been bought up in this country, and there is a co-operative "allianee"with a similar trust in Eng- land. The business of manufacturing tobacco in these two countries is thus pretty well under the control of the great corporations. The trust has acquired two leaf con- cerns and is even now preparing to enter foreign markets and sell raw leaf tobacco to foreign manufacturers. Some of the tobacco men here who will be most affected by the movement believe it means that the American Tobacco Company is simply working out a plan to capture the tobacco in- dustry as a whole. To those concerns not included within itself the trust will sell leaf tobacco and take the place of the exporters in this country. The first country that is being in- vaded is Germany. Some time ago the American Tobacco Company bought out Matthews & Son of Louis- ville, leaf dealers, and later Nathaniel F. Dortsoh, of the same place. It will probably transact business through these houses and others that may be acquired or established later. It is understood further that the company has appointed E. Barkhausen, a dealer at Bremen, as the agent to sell tobacco direct to the manufacturers of Ger- many. They are reported also to have rented a warehouse at Bremen, and engaged a force of hands to handle their hogsheads and also several drum- mers, who are to tour the manufactur- ing centers of Europe. The countries open to them are: Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland and Belgium. France, Italy and Austria are regie countries, here the governments conduct the tobacco trade and gets its supplies from export- ers located here. German manufac- turers have heard of the threatened in- vasion, and are considerably stirred up over it. One of the most prominent leaf deal- ers of Richmond, who is a large ex- porter to Germany, and whose busi- ness interests may l)e largely affected by the new plan of the trust, says: "We are willing to see what's going to happen. The movement is on, and I am strong in the hope that it won't succeed. At all events I am not going to get out of the business just yet. "The American Tobacco Company now largely controls the manufactur- ing field here; it is now after the leaf business. All it wants to do after that is to start raising tobacco on the farm and monopolize the planting of the weed, and then it will have all. It has already forced many of the ex- porters out of the field by the English combination. Many who are still in the business are just waiting to get rid of their stocks as advantageously as possible. If it captures the other countries it is now starting out after it will largely cut the remaining ex- porters out as well. Then the regie countries will fall into the hands of the trust, because if there are no ex- porters here the governments will have nobody to buy from but the American Tobacco Company. This will com- plete the circle." United States Census The total population enumerated by the 13th census was 76,303,887, but while the area of enumeration covered Alaska and Hawaii it did not include Porto Rico, the Philippines, Guam or Samoa. The population of these new- ly-acquired islands has, however, been ascertained partly by estimates and partly by special censuses. Including these estimates, the total jxipulation of the United States and its outlying pos- sessions in 1900 was as follows: Area of enumeration 76,303,387 Philippine islands 6.961,339 Porto Rico 953,343 Guam 9,000 Samoa 6, 100 Total 84,333,069 The only countries surpassing the United States in number of inhabitants are the Chinese empire, the British empire, the Russian empire, and probably France, with the inclusion of its African possessions. Wilting Disease A new tobacco disease has broken out in North Carolina which consists of the wilting of the leaves, accom- panied by a brown color in that portion of the stem just inside of the bark. It seems to be very contagious as well as destructive. The cause is described as a minute phytozoon. Orange .lames M. (,'rafts, a veteran tobacco grower, died here at the age of 86 years. He had been prominently known in the industry for 50 years, and wrote frequently on topics con- nected with the trade. Ellington William Nieman his sold four acres of seed, and Myron Aborn has sold one and one-fourth acres of seed leaf to J.S. Gans & Company. APPARATUS Of all kinds of la ge cr smail capaci:/, Mo'j.)tEd& Portable Outfits. SenrI ■ I) sofc'cil Catalogu". FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines fniiii U to 7."> llorsi- Power for all services. SpeoiaS PusKi^mg Engines • PULLEYS, S'HAFTI iG AND BELTING f(if I'u\\(.T I^iiuipincvit ' f Factories ami !Mills. WINDMILLS, TANKS Ai^D TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hose. In writing for Cat ilogue ]>lease specify which one yf Connecticut for the Challenge line. THE AGRICULTURAL STORE, (b. l. bragg co.) Springfield - - Massachusetts Outside of Hartford. You can bank with us whether you live in Hartford or not. Use the mails to make deposits ; even mail us jour book to be balanced if you are not in Hartford often. It ij wiser, safer and more systematic to have a bank ac- count than to go without one ; you'll find it so. We invite j-our account. AiReritaifNaUoiiaiBaiiK ^ - - I^.— .^ . William J Dixon ■ — =7:"^=^' Cashier J06EPH H King. President u-^°H^A 803 Main Street. J Hot-Bed Sash. Get our quotations on Hot-Bed Sash. We make them in standard sizes or in special sizes to suit the requirements of Tobacco Growers, and guarantee honest materials, the best of workmanship, and a good, serviceable sash. DOORS. GLAZED "WINDOWS, BLINDS. •WINDOW AND DOOR. FRAMES. CALIFORNIA REDWOOD DOORS A SPECIALTY. Cord for Sash and Ventilators. E* A, Carlisle and Pope Co,, Successors to Le'bi Boles & Son. 2 Stidbtxry St.. Cor. HaymarKet Sq.. Boston, Mass. JtLBERT HJtLLJtDJtr Albert Halladay, a well known citizen of SnfBeld, died at his home in North street, October 17. Mr. Halla- day was born in the house opposite his late residence November 10, 1834. He leaves a wife ami one daughter, Mrs. M. F. Delano of Millville. N. J., and a yottng granddaughter, besides two brothers, Edmund and George Halladay, both living in Siiffield. Mr. Halladay went West in the spring of IHoQ and was in Kansas dur- ing the pro-slavery trouble. He re turned here the same fall, but later made a second trip West returning to Suffleld in the spring of 18.58 and had since made Suffield his home. Mr. Halladay was one of the founders of the Republican party in Suffield and has been a staunch adherent of that part}' since. Mr. Halladay was one of the four oldest living members of Apollo Lodge F. and A. M. of Suffield. EMST H^DDJtM. At this writing none of the crops in town, representing about li.j acres, has been taken down, although the tobacco is nearly cured. The crop will be an unusually satisfactory one, color light and weight about as usual. There has been no damage whatever from bail except to one crop. All the other growers escaped any in.iury from hail or worms. Indications are that there will be no pole sweat. None of the growers will assort and pack if fair prices are offered, although several 1902 crops were cased and were sold during the early summer. No 1903 tobacco except a small crop by Joseph Fiala remains. A small field of shade Sumatra was grown by Allen Willey. and is very pretty tobacco. German Tobacco Crop Owing to the severe hailstorms in the Eichsfeld district of the Province of Hanover, Germany, during the past summer, the tobacco crop has been al- most entirely destroyed. Many of the farmers — in order to avoid the payment of the production tax — have waived all claims to their tobacco crops. At the fair which was held at Solin- gen last fall over 40.000 marks, (19.- .5a0) worth of tobacco was sold; this year, however, hardly a pound will be even offered for sale. As the tobacco crop was not insured, the farmers have sustained very considerable losses. — Brainard H. Warner, Jr., United'States Oongul_at Leipzig. Andrews & Peck, MANUFACTURERS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Doors, Windows and Blinds. Manufacturers' Agents for Akron Sewer Pipe and Land Tile. We make a specialty of hotbed sash. Office, 88 MarKet .Street, Mill: Charter Oak and Vrcdendale Avenues, HARTFORD, CONN. Hardy Plants EXPERIENCED T O B Jt C CO GROWERS Atrret" thai plants raised atural way. in h e d -s covered with cloth or trlass. are of h a r d y and sturdy yrowtb. I a c k i n §■ the tenderness ol li o t ■ b o u s e plants. Hut for the cold nigrhls and cold cloudy d a ys , provide DietzO. K- Tubular L an terns, lul keep the Miip er a t u r e \\\.-\\ above freeziug and prevent the plants from being^ checked or killed. Dletz Lanterns Jtre the Safest Lanterns Made And the Most Convenient To Care For Ask Your Dealer for the D I E T Z O. K. or Send to us FOR CATALOGUE, R. E. DIETZ COMPANY Greenwich^ corner Laight Street, NEW YORK CITY. KST.-MiLISHKD 184(1 ffEJtDQUARTERS FOR ... Tob ac c o Instirarice F. F. SMALL & CO., 95 Pearl St. H.ARTFORD, CCVAf. ^he New^ C'H gland Tobacco Grower HARTFORD. CONNECTICUT. NOVEMBER. I903 tSales and Stripping T'wo Principal Topics in tHe Reports From tKe Tobacco Towns Broad Brook The tobacco is coming down fine, no .sweat and a fine light coloi-, a good elastic leaf. Some of the early har- vesters who are taking down are: Nor- ton Bros. , E. Meyers. R. Lasbiiry. B. Solon, J. J. O'Melia and James Las- liury. All report a fine crop, the best for years. Sales: John Coleman sold E. Myers at 23 cents in bundle, John Chamber- lain to the same buyer at 2'^, cents in bundle, all Havana. Help for .stripping is short and it looks as if it would be short. The pay is |l..iO per day for stripping. I can't say what growers will assort and pack: do not think any will if they can sell, but all aie looking for a fair price for good goods, which they have around this section. John Dowd has a crop of 1902, some 20 cases; Norton Bros, have 90 cases of 190.3; also Simon Miskill 12 cases: H. W. Talcott 34; John Pheiffer 1.5 cases; John Sheridan 20 cases. Hoskins Station Very little tobacco has been taken down at this wi'iting, but what has been stripped, together with examina- tion of the sheds, shows that the cure has been excellent, and that the high opinion of the 1908 crop is justified. Labor for stripping is scarce. There is no 1902 tobacco left in this neighborhood, and the 1903 crop has been sold by a number of the growers at very satisfactory prices. None of the growers here has decided to assort and pack, and it is probable that the entire crop will move into the hands of the dealers in short order. J. Lichtenstein & Co. have been buying in this neighborhood, securing the following crops: Noble Brothers, six acres at 24 cents; Edward Hoskins, six acres, at 20 cents; in addition to heavy purchases further south and across the Farmington. Luther M. Case has bought the six- acre crop of Newell St. John for 20 cents, plus $100; and the crop of Frank Hoskins, the same acreage, at 20 cents. Jay Barnard has sold his crop of about six acres to Charles (rriw.sold & Son of West Hartford, at p. t. Hillstoivn Tobacco seems to be curing all light, as far as can be judged hanging. We see no indications of pole burn or mould, and this means a sound croj). Very little has been taken down as yet. No sales have been made of late. jj Calico leaves appear mottled and woody and are not of much value. The more the calico shows in the field, the more it shows when it comes from the shed, good for nothing. |J L,abor is scarce. We figure the cost of taking down and stripping off about one-half cent per pound. All the local growers will sort their tobacco; it is too early to know who will pack. That depends on the future sales. There are a few scattering ca.ses of 1903; Emerson'Strong has 108 cases of Havana seed. B. Ellington There has been no verj* great change in the curing situation lately, the weather continuing favorable at pres- ent, and the crop will be free from sweat. No'tobacco has been taken from the poles as yet in town, and no sales have been made within the last few weeks. Labor for stripping is in fair supply at about 1.5 cents per hour. Only] a few crops of 1902 are left in'town. Regarding calico tobacco, which is in discussion, I have never had any ex- perience with it, but presume that it would cure streaked and of little value. It is a little early in the season as yet to tell what growers will assort and pack. H. East Weatogue 3. W. Holcomb has sold his crop of about four acres to J. Lichtenstein & Co. , at 1 T cents. This firm has also bought five acres from J. B. Holcomb at 1 .5 Ja cents, and about six acres from John Phelps at 1.5 1^ cents. Fred Phelps is also reported to have sold to the same dealers. Windsor Locks F. S. Bidwell & Co. have bought th9 tobacco liook-lath business from the es- tate of the late R. A. Parker, and ex- pect to give the trade the best goods possible in this hook-lath line, the best spruce lath (no native stock) and the best manufactured hooks, well driven. PORTLJtND The crop in this town is the soundest, and best quality as a whole, that I liave ever known. Most of the growers have commenced taking down. C. C. & F. W. Goodrich have their 11 acres in the bundle, E. S. Hale 7 acres, A. B. Taylor .5 acres, C. K. Hale 1 1 acres. 'Three sales have been reported at from 19 cents to 25 cents in the bundle, one grower refusing 22 J^ cents, he holds it at 25 cents Calico plants cure very poor (juality; the crop here is generally free from them. " Labor for stripping is plenty; it costs about one cent per pound to take down and strip. Goodrich, Taylor, Abbey, Gilder- sleeve and some others will pack, un less they I'eceive 25 cents through, in the bundle. The crop is certainly the finest I have seen in 30 years, and will run from 70 to 80 per cent, wrapper, a large propor- tion light ones. AN ADVERTISER. "gSeveral sales of tobacco banging in the shed have been made, C. G. Crit- tenden, two acres: Luther Wilcox, three and one-half acres; and S. G. Cornwall, three acres, to Meyer. E. S. Hale, seven acres, and Charles Stocking, two acres, to J. Lichtenstein & Company. The prices paid range from IT to 23 cents m the bundle. The crop is verj' sound this year, no flea bites or rust: neither is there any complaint of pole sweat. Those who have not sold hope the buyers will not be content to stop now, but will con- tinue their activity. October has been a good month to strip tobacco, — so many foggy days, — and as we judge by the past what the future will pre- sent, we must not expect such good weather for stripping in November. Observer. Portland Packers C. K. Hale will stait his packing of tobacco for Lichtenstein the first of November. He has bought quite a quantity in the bundle in Suflield, Windsor and "Avon, as well as in other towns He will employ his usual com- plement of help, about 80 in all. A. N. Shepard will not start work in his warehouse until November 15, or peihaps December 1. Mr. Shepard selects the crops he wants, and when he gets ready buys them. He has a good trade in cigar leaf, and he will maintain it. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER JtVON. The toljacco warehouse at Avon Sta- tion has been leased by Paul Ackerly for the Indian Head Plantations, and the force-sweating of tobacco was be- gun tbei'e a week ago, several tons of shade-grown toiiacco having been brought b}' team from the plantations for the first bulks. The shade-grown tobacco of Joseph W. Alsop, ten acres, will go to this warehouse, and in all about 50 acres of tobacco grow a under cloth will be handled there by Mr. Ackerly this winter. It is e.xpected that a ijuantity of outside tobacco will also be assorted and sweat at this ware- house, which has two force-sweating roo'us, and accommodations for a large force. The building was erected by Dodge and Woodford a year ago, and is -lOx'iO, three stories and basement, with steam heat, and a complete warehousing equijiment. The tobacco curing season has pro- ceeded satisfactorily. There is no sweat or damage in the shed. Some of the growers have taken down a part of their crops. A few sales have been made, J. Lichtenstein & Company be- ing the buyers. C. R. Woodford & Son, W. S. Thurston and Eliott Lati- mer have sold. Noting the discussion in regard to calico: the leaves of calico tobacco plants cure thick and lifeless, having a dark and blotchy appearance, very un- even color. There is a difference in the appearance in proportion to the de- gree the plants were affected in the field. The labor supply is plentiful. I estimate the cost of stripping at one cent a pound. There is no old tobacco in this region unsold. W. West Hatfield About one half of the tobacco in this neighborhood has been taken from the poles and stripped. Every thing indi- cates a sound crop, as far as curing is ■concerned. Three crops were sold here a day or two ago, but the writer has not yet been able to learn the prices. Help is plenty at the regular price at i3;i..")0 per day. and growers will have no trouble in getting their toliacco down when it is cured, provided the proper damp weather is supplied. Very few of the growers expect to as- sort their tobacco, as it i^romises to find ready sale in the bundle. There is no 1!(()2 tobacco. J. Southtvick Curing weather has been perfect, and there is no possible reason why the 1903 crop should not come from the poles in excellent condition. E. C Hills, who sold his toliacco to Luther M. Case at 22 cents has stripped and delivered the crop. Other sales are: Frank Skinner, F. M. Arnold and N. J. Stevens to Luther M. Case at from 18 to 20 cents; Cooley A. Griffin, at 19 cents, L. S. Weatherbee, 18 cents, and H. J. Hudson, p. t. , as- sorted, to John- Decker; A. K. Webb to Halladay. C. WESTFIELD. Very little tobacco has been taken from the poles, but every indication is in favor of a good, sound, wt-11-cured r'rop. and of a lighter shade of color than previous years. No sales have been reported for the lOOii crop; in fact the growers iirefer to Know what they have got to sell be- fore making a '"pig in the poke" bar- gain subiect to the whims of the buj'er and usually at the expense of the grower. So no ijrices have been given and no sales made. It is undoubtedly the safest plan. Labor for stripping or taking down is plenty and the average cost per pound will not exceed one to one and one-fourth cents. There are no growers this way out- side of those that are packers but pre- fer to sell in the bundle if fair prices can be obtained, but more tobacco will be sorted and packed by the grower this year than any previous year, if low prices prevail, as the 1902 crop in several instances sold for more than double the be.st figures offered. For instance, one grower was offered four- teen cents sorted; he declined, ijacked and sweat the tobacco, and sold for thirty cents on an average his whole crop. Other cases could be mentioned and why not, brother growers, do so yourselves and make the business a better paying oneV Very small amounts of 1902 crop re- main in the hands of the growers. Thomas Haselton has 1901 and 1902 crops on hand, and one -or two other I)arties; but the bulk is all sold. The next "damp" will find many ''lan- terns" in the sheds, as the crop is read}' to come down. Then our troubles begin. Hillside. Suffield Sales The demand for leaf has made its appearance in Suffield, and quite a number of sales have been made at good prices. Tnere is a tendency to keep the prices from the public in some instances, and it may be inferred from this that the prices given are higher than usual, and for this reason the purcha.bcrs prefer to keep the figures quiet. Among these sales repo:ted as at private terms are the following: Eu- gene Hastings, 28 acres, and Silas Wood, about four acres, both to L. P. Bissell of Suffield; John Noble, be- tween five and six acres to J. Litchen- stein & Company of New York; Samuel Shape ^vitHout any Reciprocity US. C O N S U L G E N E R A L • STEINHAKT has made his first annual report upon conditions in Cuba. In de.scribing the soils and products of the island, the report gives in detail the geologic formations and the phj-sical characteristics of the lands, special attention being paid to the tobacco-producing regions of Pinar del Rio. Habana and Santa Clara. The superior quality of the tobacco lands of Pinar del Rio is said to be "owing to their arenaceous argillocalcareous, humiferous composition, principally in the southern part of the province (muncipalities of Guaue, San Juan 3- Martinez, San Luis and Consolacion del Sur), where the Vuelta Abajo vegas of world wide fame are located." Referring to the rehabitation of the tobacco plantations (vegas) since the war with Spain, Mr. Steinhart says: "Most of these farms in the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Habana and Santa Clara have been reconstructed, and in some places in Pinar del Rio and Ha- bana, especially in the muncipality of Guira de Melena, the sprinkling pro- cess, with the aid of iron pipes (Ken- nedy's process), has been established for the purpose of securing the croi>s. ' ' Concerning the tobacco crops of liH)^ and 1903 the report says: Crop of 1902. — The tobacco crop of 1903 was only medium, being 77,8;S(i bales less than the crop of 1901. This deficit may be divided as follows: Vuelta Aba.ia district, 12,43.5 bales: Partidos district, .5,3.54 bales: and Re- medios district, (50,0.57 bales. The statistics of the 1902 tobacco cop show the following figures: (Vuelta Aba.io, 172,870 bales; Semi- Vuelta, 3,043 bales; Partidos, .54, 486 bales: and Remedios, lll,79(i bales. According to weights, the returns are approximately as follows: Kilograms. Pounds. Vuelta Abajo. . . 7,9.53,020 17,531,023 Semi-Vuelta 559, 925 1,2:^4,411 Partidosr 2,005,075 4,430,388 Remedios 6,171,139 13,604,893 Total 16,688,159 36,790,715 The deficit in the 1902 crop com- pared with that of 1901 was not only due to the shortage in the crop from the fields, but also to a decrease in the acreage under cultivation. This latter cause especially obtained in the Re- medios section, in which a large stock of tobacco had to be taken over from 1901 to 1902, as consumption in the United States has fallen off consider- ably. Owing to want of rain, the 1902 crop did not cure as satisfactorily as desired, and remained in a raw condi- tion. About sixty per cent, of the crop was sent to the United States. The balance was divided among the different nations as follows, the values being approximate: Bales. Value. (lermany 13.000 |300, 000 France. ." 3,000 116.000 Spain 38,000 350,000 The total amount of 1903 tobacco exported was 243,958 bales, valued at $6,700,000. Crop of 1903.— The 1903 crop will probably be, in quantity, as large as ■that of 1902, but in regard to quality a more satisfactory yield is generally expected. So far, only a small part has been placed on the market, as con- stant drouth prevented the manipula- tion of the new leaf. Sales effected up to date do not seem to leave large mar- gins to growers, as the planting of seedlings had to be effected in some districts three times, on account of excessive rains, which washed out the young plants. An interesting feature of Mr. Stein- hart's report embraces a series of sug- gestions under the general head of ''How to Increase American Trade." He attributes the fact that American manufacturers have not taken advan- tage of all their opjiortunities to de- velop trade with Cuba, and to the de- mand in the United States for goods of all kinds, which has left a compai'a- tively small surplus for exportation, thereby relieving producers of the necessity of seeking foreign markets. "If at .some time in the near future, he adds, "our home market shall have been supplied, and manufacturers are forced to turn to other countries to find an outlet for their productions, difficulty will be experienced in divert- ing the trade of Cuba from established channels and the undertaking will be found both expensive and doubtful of success. It is to be hoped that the American manufacturer will anticipate this situation and take prompt steps to remedy the falling off in trade oetween the United States and Cuba. The es- tablishment of a United States mer- chants' exchange at Havana is earn- estly advised. A suitable place de- voted to the exhibition of goods manu- factured in the United States would be an inexpensive and most efficient as- sistance to our manufacturers." In referring to the tobacco crop of 1903, he states that the deficit com- pared with 1901 was due in some de- gree to a decrease in the acreage under cultivation, which decrease is attrib- uted to the fact that in the Remedios .section a large jjart of the crop of 1901 was carried over to 1903, "as consump- tion in the United States has fallen off considerably. ' ' Although the imports of Remedios have fallen off, tiie imports of Cuban tobacco have steadily increased. The gain in 1900 was nearly 4,000.000 pounds: in 1901 more than 7, 000, COO pounds: in 1902 about 40,000 pounds, and in 1903 more than 3.000,000 pounds. Late October Market Xew York, Oct. 34. Tlie 1902 Pennsylvania Broadleaf is undonl)tedly the most popular domes- tic tobacco now being handled in the trade. The two largest packers of this tobacco are still adding to their hold- ings, and it is quite an easy matter for any of the smaller packers to dispose of their tobacco at a satisfactor5- profit. The new Wisconsin has now made its appearance in the market, and trad- ing has started in auspiciously. Some 4,000 cases changed hands during the past week. Good machine binders, of which the above was largely composed, bring from 15 to 18 cents, according to the relative merits of the packing. The Bs are not selling yet, as they naturally require a little age to convert them into serviceable fillers. The sec- onds, which were largely unsound, are being sold into exijort. The demand for the binder portion is strong, and it will move off readily, despite the rather high prices asked for it. Deerfield Sales so far reported in this vicinity are at prices ranging from 15 to 20 cents, and the buyers seem imi^ressed with the necessity of paying good prices corresponding with the quality of the tobacco, and are apparently anxious to secure fair sized packings this season. Poquonock The warehouse on the farm of The Connecticut Valley Tobacco Corpora- tion that was burned recently, will be replaced by another warehouse on the same site. The insurance on the build- ing and crop, amounting to $37,500, has been paid. Buschman of Westfield has bought the crop of M. T. Kennelly of Rainbow at 33 cents in the bundle. Feeding Hills On the farm of Edmond H. Smith the 38-acre crop of shade-grown to- bacco has been harvested b}' cutting and hanging the stalk, instead of prim- ing as is customaiy among the shade- growers. Mr. Smith believes that the leaf will come out just as good under this system of harvesting, and that the weight will be greater than if the crop was primed. The cutting and hanging of the stalks is of course much less ex- pensive an operation than the priming of the leaves. Inquiring Brokers Leading growers and local packers are receiving many letters these days from leaf tobacco brokers, making such inquiries as are contained in the fol- lowing quotation: "We shall be pleased to receive from you samples of seedleaf binders, also Havana .seed wrappers, seconds, bind- ers and tops, and we can assure you of our ability to make quick and profi- table sales." THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER TKe Mottled Cuban | J 1903 Crop of Wrapper Comes from the Island witH a Strange Appearance ^N June last, says the Tobacco Leaf editorially, it was pre- dietefl in this column that the Havana wrapper question would become a serious one during the ensuing year, partly in view of the limited production, but more particularly in consequence of the fact that tne wraiiper crop of 1903, while an excellent one in most respects, promised to be very deficient as to colors; and at that time we pointed out the necessity of the cigar-bnying trade meeting the manufacturer halt way in the contingency. Three months have passed, and we find the conditions to have been cor- rectly forecasted. The 1903 wrapper tobacco has but the one imperfection. It is sweet to the taste, delightful as to aroma, and has a perfect burn, but it is not pleasing to the eye. The pro- portion which is not mottled and is figured by green or black spots is m appreciably small. Of course, every importer and every manufacturer who has tested the leaf knows that with the exception of this one fault, no finei tobacco was ever >.rown in Cuba; and he realizes that if the smoking public can but be made to oive the tobacco a fair trial, it will promptly close its eyes to the ugliness „f the "leaf, and, recognizing its real merit, will buy it eagerly, and smoke away in utter satisfaction and sweet content. If this result could be accomplished, the manufacturer, who must pay top notch prices for this same leaf, will be able to squeeze out of a bad predica inent ; the consumer, who will be get- ling an excellent smoke, will receive full value for his money; and the dealer will be in a position to supply his clientele with an honest product and will hold trade. Theie is, however, but one way by which this happy outcome can be brought about, namely, through the inauguration by the retailer of an educational campaign. To save him- self and the clear Havana manufactur- ing industry from embarrassment, he must place the wrapper situation be- fore his patrons in its true light. Wers the public an expert on tobacco, it would not care one whit about the color of its cigars. But it wants a good smoke, and, not being an expert, its judgment, when passed before a practical test is given, must necessarily be based on the outward appearance of the cigar. It is, of course, the dealer's preroga- tive to handle his trade as he pleases, but in this particular instance it will be retroactively beneficial to him to enlighten his customers on the Havana situation. If the ill-looking cigars meet with a rebuff, the market will be Ijromptly flooded with "fake " goods. Clean colored wrapper leaf is so rare that if manufacturers are compelled to throw out the mottled tobacco, some- thing other than and vastly inferior to Havana will have to be substituted. This will not only be a severe hard- ship to the makers, who will have paid enormous prices for the spotted leaf, but it will demoralize the clear Havana element of the retail trade. For the high-grade smoker is not easily bull- dozed, and cannot be humbugged for any material length of time. If his eye is not pleased, he may complain to vou; but if his palate is not suited, he will leave you and look elsewhere for his smokes. The United States Tobacco Journal says on the same subject: "••While it is true," said a retailer to a reporter, -'that a good-looking cigar is usually a good smoking cigar, yet the rule is one that has exceptions. Now, here are two clear Havana cigars. One you will see is of a nice rich brown color, the leaf even, no blotches, no discoloration. The other is a poor sickly looking affair; greenish, dyspep- tic, looks like a second rate Porto Rico. Well, what you want is a Vuelta wrap- l)er, of course, the only one for the discriminating smoker. Vuelta wrap- pers have always been noted for then- appearance as well as their quality. But m this case the appearance is en- tirely deceptive. The ugly green thing is the Vuelta, the nice brown one is an inferior article altogether, worth about half the price of the other. Nor is this an inferior Vuelta wrapper. On the contrary it is a particularly good one. Nor is it yet exceptional. All the new Vuelta wrapper cigars are practically the same. It is the pe- culiarity of the Vuelta wrappers of the last ciop, 1903, the manufactured goods from which are now on the mar- ket, that it is about the ugliest Cuban leaf that we have ever seen. On the other hand, in the matter of quality the case is exactly reversed. Never has the leaf been finer, more rich, aromatic, everything that is desirable in a cigar. The condition is a peculiar one and is liable to give the retailer some trouble. He will find it had to persuades his customers that he is not taking advantage of them when he offers them unattractive looking affairs like these choice goods. The sales- man, too, is having his troubles. The average retailer has not yet caught on to conditions, and is very chary of buying the greenish, blotchy affairs at high prices. \EW YORK MARKET Business continues brisk in our market, compared with the slump in stocks in the neighboring district of Wall street. Stocks of leaf tobacco are not subject to slaughtering, but on the contrary a gilt-edged investment for a rising value. While Wall street is in the clutches of the "bears," Water street is tue domain of the "Bulls," and the bulls of Water street are bound to have their own way for many moons to come. The condition of the market is stronger than for years, and not without justification, for there is not only no surplus of leaf on hand, but not even a suflicient supply for prospective demands, and the sooner this unique but thoroughly sub- stantiated condition is realized by tlie cigar industry, the better it will be for their pockets as well as their product. The old truism that tobacco can always be had is deceiving. There may always be some leaf left, rejected and discarded for its defects, but the compulsory use of such leaf is certainly not helpful to commend the cigars made out of it, and any one foiced to use such leaf because of his lack of foresight in supplying himself at the proper time and his diffidence in the published statements of the market con- ditions, is at the mercy of the larger manufacturers, who study and heed the market conditions and buy when the market still has the proper raw material to offer. Nor can bargains be picked up by a policy of hesitancy, tor if there is no sufficient supply of tobacco raised ther • cannot be a surplus for the bargain counter, except if it is the thrown out rubbish unfit for a decent smoke. But these conditions are being fully realized by the better class of the trade, and hence packings are being sold as fast as sampled. The 1903 Wisconsin is just making its appearance on the market, and it will no doubt have quick sales, as it is one of the best crops of recent years, and binder stock mighty scarce. The Sumatra market remains in the swim, too. There is no abatement in the demand for it; the weekly sales now averaging about .lOO bales. It has certainly again been re-instated as the most serviceable leaf for the bulk of our cigar industry. For Havana leaf the demand remains steady, too. Old Remedios are commanding a firmer price, while factory vegas have a fancy value. The supply of these, however, is very limited.- United States To- bacco Journal. Farm Jtverage It is stated that the average percent- age of net in-ofit on farms in the United States is onlv four and a half per cent. Leuel Cultivation Cotton planters in the South are be- ing urged by investigators to plough deep and to practise level cnltivation. PATENTS OBTAINED For information, write to Ralph Sturtevant Warfield, SOO H St., Af. IV., Washington, D. C. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER OLDS a WHIPPLE, 164-168 State Street, HARTFORD, CONN. % m Manufacturers of vSpecial Fertilizers for Tobacco, Potatoes and OtHer Crops. OUR SPECIAL PRODUCTS: O. ^ IV. Complete Tobacco Fertilizer. O. Sr W. Vegetable Potash. l^i^>^^^^^i^^^^>^^i:^i^^i^i^^^^i^i^i^i:^^i^i^i^i^i^i-^'''^--^^'^^-^^-'^-' •^'^^^^^^•^^^•''^•^'Z::^-^'^-^^-^'^-^'^-^'^:!.-^'^^-^'^-'^:^-^'!^^.-^^-^^ Cell CHariges in Leaves Scientist MaRes Explanation of AVKat Happens When Tobacco Cures OSCAR LOEW of the Depart- lueiit of Agriculture states that there are two distinct periods in the curing process: The first period, in which the cells of the leaves are still alive and induce processes of metabolism and the second period, in which the cells have died and the chemical changes have therefore no connection with the living protoplasm. In the first period, which may last onlj' a few days (longer with the ril)s), the starch content is dissolved and the sugar formed is partly consumed by an increased res- piration and jiartl}' transported to the ribs, where, as Muller-Thurgau has shown, starch may be formed again. In the latter period the enzyms alone are active. With the consumption of a large amount of the sugar a state of inani- lion or starvation sets in, and there- serve i)rotein is attacked by anenzym. trypsin-like in character, the action of which will continue after the death of the cells. A cold-prepared aqueous ex- tract of a fresh leaf will show albumin on the addition of nitric acid and warming, while the cured leaf does not give this reaction. The reserve protein and a certain abluimnous portion of the nucleo-proteids of the protopla.sm will thus finallj- be split and transformed into amido compounds and bases, only the remaining nucleins resisting, hence the decrease of protein matter in the curing and fermentation process will stop at a certain point. Such proteoly- tic processes proceed not only in plants exposed to darkness, which means their starvation or inanition, but also in all cases where reserve j^rotein must be dissolved to enable further develop ment. as in germination or develop- ment from bulbs. It is in full accordance with physio- logical principles that when cells are in want of nourishment they produce a larger amount of enzyms than when well nourished. This explains why tobacco leaves killed immediately after being gathered will show imperfec- tions when after having been moistened they ai-e subjected to the curing jjrocess. The enzyms that have been produced dming the inanition state of the cells, however, will naturally re- main active after the death of the pro- toplasm tiom starvation sets in. Don't buy yo\ir TOBACCO TWINE. TOBACCO PAPER or TWINE FOR. SEWING TENTING CLOTH before calling oix E.TUCKER'S SONS, lOO Trumbull street. Martford, - . Connecticut Advertising As a ^Specialty. Skill in advertising comes with training and experience, the same as skill in any other line of business. Advertising is our specialty: good advertising, the advertising that pays. We make it pay; our clients are frank to admit that. Let us refer you to some of them: or, better yet, let us talk with you about your own particular advertising problem. Joijiisione fldvcrtlsing %mi lINi.ORPORATED ) Hartford Fire Insurance Building, Hartford. ^ Connecticut. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Source of Nitrogen Suggestions on tKe Use of Nitrate of Soda in Several Applications THE drift of advice at the pres- ent day is to recommend ni- trate of soda, as the best source from whicli the farmer can ob- tain nitrogen. This advice is based for the most part on the fact tliat nitrogen in that form is most readily available as plant food, the effect be- ing seen on some crops within twenty- eight hours of its application, in the deeper green of the leaves, one of the striking effects of nitrogen food when incorporated in the plant. The cause of this is, that whereas other forms of nitrogen have to go through quite a chemical change be- fore they become available, nitrate of soda is the one form in which it exists as almost pui'e plant food. Now it is very generally known that of the three essentials in fertilizers, nitrogen, pot- ash and phosphoric acid, while the two latter are not leached by rain out of common tillage soils, the former, on the contrary, may be taken into solu- tion by water and carried down into the lower strata beyond the reach of the roots of our annual crops, and be taken from oiir fields and mingled witli the brook, or wherever the water finds an outlet. - In ordinary seasons this characteris- tic of the nitrogen element has not al- ways an important bearing on the selection of a source for supply, as the rainfall is rarely so heavy in any shower as to carry it lielow the feeding ground of the roots of our vegetables. Yet in the economy of farming it is wise to bear this fact in mind and govern ourselves accordingly. When buying our fertilizers it will be wise to ask from what source its nitrogen was taken, and to prefer those where it is not all from nitrate of soda, preferring that it should Ije partly from dried blood, bone, cottonseed meal or fish — in which form, while not so available, it is less liable to be wasted by heavy rains and become plant food for our crops in their more advanced stage of growth. If our fertilizer is of the low-grade sort, which makes up the great bulk of those sold in the market, containing but two or three per cent, of nitrogen, there will be but little probability of Its containing any nitrate of soda in its composition; what they have will be likely to come from dissolved bone. The higher grade, those whose nitro- gen runs up to five and six percent., will be very likely to have the nitrate, and if the bags containing it have a moist look on the outside one may safely infer the presence of a large pro portion of it. I have had the impor- tance of the wisdom of knowing in what form nitrogen entered in various forms in fertilizeis greatly impressed tm me this season by some costly per- sonal experience. I used a number of tons of a high- grade fertilizer on several crops which were planted the latter jiait of May: then came the remarkably heavy rains of June, the effects of which, as the results have proved, were to carry the nitrate of soda, which entered largely into its composition, down below the feeding ground of the crops to which the fertilizer had been applied. The result has been that I have had to re- place the leached-away nitrate bv a fresh application. The advice, now often given, to make more than one application of the nitrate, advice founded on the results from carefully tried experiments made at our agricultural colleges, is every waj- excellent. For the future I shall prefer to buy a low-grade fertilizer and then purchase my nitrate separately, applying the latter to my crops as the season advances. As the nitrate will burn foliage, we must govern ourselves accordingly when applying it. With a twist of the hand we scatter it around the young plant and then cut it in. J. J. H. CtREi;ory. Jimsterdam Sales Very little high-class leaf was brought forward at the opening sale of the autumn season for Sumatra and Borneo tobacco, most of the better marks having been already disposed of in the spring and summer sales: but the market was good for likely stuff. A total of 21,618 bales were offered to tender, composed of 17,807 bales of Sumatra and 8.81 1 of Borneo. Top price was realised by the United Lankat Plantations, which sold two lots together from their Padang-Brah- rang Estate — marks II. and VIII. — at the excellent average of Is. 11l, d. a pound for the whole 7i)a bales. The Sumatra Cultuur Maatschappij secured second place with Is. S'-od. for 266 bales, and the Deli Maatschappi.i came third with Is. 6d. for 922 bales, consist- ing of two parcels, brands H-2 and 6. About 9,000 bales more sold from these prices down to lOd., and the re- mainder, or, roughly, one-half of the total quantity offered, realised all prices down to 'S '^d. 'It is satisfactory to note that all the British companies did well. The British Deli and Lang- kat Tobacco Company obtained Is. OL„d. for 613 bales, the Serdang Tabak Maatschappij sold 487 bales at 9d., the New Darvel Bay (Borneo) Tobacco Company received an average of Is 3. V^d. for 1,147 bales, and the New London Borneo Tobacco Company sold 141 bales at Is. 2i.2d., and 694 bales of low-class leaf at od. At the second sale, which was held yesterday (Wed- nesday) l.")..").")0 bales of Sumatra and 183 bales of Borneo tobacco were offered to tender. — London Tobacco Weekly Journal. Washing Powder WKfiKIEiA!. ill Use Swifts Washing- Powder -roft- CLOTHING Swift's Washing Powder is the Tidy Houseivife's best friend. Try a package and see for yourself. S^VIFT PROVISION COMPANY, 19 JOHN STREET, BO.STON, MASS THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER r L James M. Crafts Career of tHe DistinguisKed MassacKtisetts Tobacco Gro'wer and AutKor FRIEND of James Al. Crafts, the tobacco growei' a"ii(l writer of Orange, Massachusetts, whose death was announced in the last issue of The New England Tobacco Grower, writes as foUows of the career of Mr. Crafts: By the deatli of James Monroe Crafts, which occurred last week Fri- day, Orange has lost another of her oldest and most distinguished citizens, and a man universally admired and resjiected. In the comparatively few years he had lived among Orange people he had endeared himself to them in many ways, but more especially, perhaps, by the kindly disposition and generous spirit that ever inspired him to assist and encourage others to the extent of his means and strength. Of strong, rugged character, fearless in speech or action, a brilliant and vigorous writer, well versed in genealog- ical and historical lore, his advice and coun.sel was sought and valued through- oiit the wide literary circles in which he was known. Though facing vicis- situdes and misfortune in the earlier years of an eventful life, his courage and indomitable spirit had never been shaken, nor the kindly heart deprived of its warmth and fervent interest in humanity's good. Born in the town of VVhatley in ItslT, his boyhood days were not unlike those of the average farmer's boy in a scattered community of that period. The opportunities for an education were limited, and Mr. Crafts en.ioyed but 144 weeks of schooling under the prim- itive system of the times, his brilliant educational attainments coming to him by observation and studj- in the later years of his life. At the age of 21 Mr. Crafts engaged in the pottery liusiness with his father at Nashua, New Hamp- shire. Here he remained three years, returning to Whatley in 1841, where he went into business for himself. During the next 30 years of residence in his native town Mr. Grafts accumu- lated considerable property and held about all ofltices with'n the gift of the people. He was a special county com- missioner, president of the Franklin Company Agricultural society, and an honorary life member of that associa- tion. He engaged in tobacco cultiva- tion and was for many years subse- (juent to 18(30 one of the most promi- nent tobacco raisers in the Connecticut Valley. In 1873 his farm buildings were destroyed by fire, with a large quantity of tobacco, entailing a loss to lim of "|1.5,000. Then the failure of tobacco dealers brought him another loss of $10,000. Removing to Shelburne Falls he made another start in business as a to- bacco buyer, but a period of financial depression forced him into insolvency and ruined his business prospects. For 20 years or more Mr. Crafts had been engaged in compiling and writing histories and genealogical works, many of his productions being of immea.sur- able value. They include "The Crafts Families," "The History of Whatley," •■The Sanderson Family," "TheGraves Genealogies," "TheBardwell Genealo- gies," and others, with some unfin- ished. Mr. Crafts was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, having been made a member of Nonotuek Lodge of Northampton in 1846. He was made a Freemason in Greenfield nearly 50 years ago. In politics Mr. Crafts was a life-long Democrat, and in religion a non-sectarian. An expert on the sub- ject of tobacco and its cultivation, he had for many years 'been a correspond- ent of the leading tobacco journals of the country. Mr. Crafts is survived by three sons, Chas. R. Crafts of Orange, with whom he has made his home since coming to town, Thomas M. Crafts of Northamp- ton, and Frank D. Crafts of Yuba City, California. South Windsor Tobacco has cured very satisfactorily, being free from pole sweat. A few sales have been made lately, including the following ; John J. Reardon to E. D. Farnham, E. C. Hale to Hinsdale Smith & Co., Foran Bros, to E. O. Goodwin. The i)rice paid is said to be about 30 cents. There are no unsold crops of the liH)2 Broadleaf in this vicinity. TOBJtCCO Jir ST. LOUIS Toliacco is to have a prominent space in the Palace of Agriculture at the St. Louis exposition. The space to be oc- cupied by the exhibit is located in the central bay of the palace. The dimen- sions are 400x.')2 feet, which will be cut into suitable aisles for the conven- ience of visitors. First will be shown the tools and implements used in the cultivation of the croiJ and next will come tools used in harvesting. Then will be shown a reproduction of a cur- ing barn with all its accessories. The liuilding will be surrounded bj' four fields of growing tobacco, illustrating the growth and habit of the Sumatra and Havana types of tobacco. The next section will show a pack- ing or fermenting house which will be under the supervision of Professor Mil- ton Whitney, chief of the Bureau of Soils of the United States Department of Agriculture. Here will be illus- trated the methods of curing by fer- mentation, also sorting and grading the leaf. Another section will be devoted largely to the statistics of the crop in the several tobacco growing states. The tobacco from each state will be grouped together under the name of the state. Further on another section will take the visitor into the realm of manufacturing showing the machinery used in transforming the tobacco into merchantable forms. Crowning the exhibit will be a pa- goda constructed wholly of tobacco, reaching a height of fiO feet from the floor. It will illustrate the wide range in color of the cured leaf and will also serve as a marker for the exhibit, be- ing discernible from any part of the vast structure. A sjjace will be reserved where states desiring to do so maj' make additional displays of distinctive features not fully comprehended in the general plan. As to the Connecticut exhibit, the committee of The New England To- bacco Growers' Association, of which Edmund Halladay of Suffield is chair- man, has been assigned a space, 24x10 feet, near the centre of the display in which to exhibit samples, and they are to obtain eight hands of 1903 tobacco from each grower wishing to partici- pate in the exhibit. The tobacco will be force-sweat by the committee and arranged for exhibit, the name of the grower being attached. Hillman Tobacco Curer Regarding the results obtained this season, the Hillman Tobacco Curer Company of Northamjiton states: "A machine has been in constant use since purcha.sed by The U. S. Sumatra Syndicate, at Windsor Locks, Conn., with the best of results. Broadleaf which was cut the last week in Sep- tember is nearly cured, turning out mostlj' light wrappers. Over 60 acres of Sumatra also has been cured by this machine. "The greatest advantage derived by its use is the production of light wrap- pers. Send to us for a list of those who can tell you what it will do. We are now taking orders for future de- livery. ' ' Cigar Manufacturer Jtssigns D. B. Long & Sons, Inc. , cigar man- ufacturers of Lebanon, Pa., made an assignment for the benefit of their creditors recently. Their liabilities are !|23, 039, and the assets are not yet figured. WANT ADVERTISEMENTS. Advertisements uuder this head cost oue cent a word each time: no advertisement taken for less than twenty cents; cash or stamps must accompany orders; which should be re- ceived by the 25th of the month. WANTED— Ten different tobacco growers to use my hard wood ashes ai]U per acre, .simply because of its great atiaptability to to- bacco raising. The United States Government, i.s well as the state government, has es- tablished experimental stations near (iermantown and both are declared to have been very successful in the rais- ing of Cuban tobacco. The govern- ment officials, under the direction of the agricultural department, have gathered the second crop on the farm of J. H. Rohrer, just west of German- town. The finest grades of Havana tobacco, grown from seed brought from Cuba, have been raised here for sev- eral years and it is believed that the output can hardly be told from the genuine Cuban tobacco when placed in the market. Mr. Rohrer has 100 acres in tobacco this year besides what tlie government is raising on his farm. H. Allen, a well knowni tobacco man from Milwaukee, was at the experi- ment station last week and was highly pleased with the results there. He said that the best fillers in the United States are produced in Ohio, being second only to the Havana tobacco grown in Cuba. The soil is known as sugar tree soil, and is peculiarly suit- able to the propagation of fruit as well as tobacco. Germantown is the oldest tobacco town in the state. JENKINS & BARKER, Successors to Col. Charles L. Bardett, Patent and Trade Mark Causes. Solicitors of United States and Foreig-n J*at- ents, Desig-ns and Trade Marks. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 50 State Street, - Hartford, Connecticut THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER i6 Home Production Secretary 'Wilson on tKe Elimination of Agricul- tural Products from American Imports T the field day exercises of the New Hampshire State Board of Agriculture, Hon. James Wilson, Sec- retary of Agriculture, spoke as follows: We have been selling from Ameri- can farms in recent years around i8r)0, - 000,000 worth of products to foreign countries. This is what has kept the balance of trade in our favor so steadily for the last six years, enabling us to pay off foreign debts, reduce interest and furnish the wherewithal to bring about the great prosperity we have had, and are having, and will continue to have while the present conditions exist. But, very singularly, we have been buying about lialf as much farm pro- ducts from foreign fields as we have been selling from our own fields. About half of our imported farm products can be grown in the United States, and toward the growing of these things here the department of agriculture is addressing itself. Six years ago we produced from the beet 29, 000 tons of sugar. Last year we produced 220,000 tons. The irrigation laws enacted by the last congress will result in a few years in the production, under our own flag, of all the sugar consumed in the Onited States. Six years ago we produced in the United States 25 per cent, of the rice we consumed. We are now producing substantially as much as we consume. We are still importing, but we have begun exporting. We imijort certain varieties desired by our pepole that we have not yet produced, but are export- ing what is not so desirable. The Chinamen in the United States import certain varieties of rice and will use no other. We are now preparing to supply them with home grown Ameri- can rice of these varieties. While we export |30,000,000 worth of the cheapest tobacco, we have been importing $15,000,000 worth of the highest priced tobacco known to com- merce. The department of argiculture has been addressing itself toward the production within the United States of these high-priced tobaccos. You will find an illustration of these high priced tobaccos in the Connecticut valley, where we are producing a Sumatra wrapper, and in Texas, Alabama, South Carolina and some other states, where we are producing the fine aromatic cigar filler. These are illustrations of the production of things at home that have been imported heretofore, amount- ing to considerably over 1300,000,000 a year, that will be produced eventually in the United States. It remained for a great New Eng- lander. Senator Mori ill, to take the lead in laying the foundation for the education of the American farmer. Other counti'ies have done something along this line, and are doing some- thing now, but nowhere are there to be found such well ])lanned s}-stems of agricultural education as are here in out own country; and yet, when we consider what is being done here, we must come to the conclusion that com- paratively little progress has been made. Congress could endow agricul- tural colleges, but congress could not enact teachers. From 18fi2 to the present time something has been done in each state and territory toward edii- cating along these lines. Since 1S,S5, when congress appropriated money for experimentation, research has been had into local conditions, with moi'e or less efficiency, in all the states and terri- tories. There was, however, no royal road for these institutions to travel. We did not have scholars in the land with regard to the science of agricul- ture— that is, so broad as to dovetail into all other sciences. The man who works in the fields should know something of mineralogy, something of heat and moisture. Un- til within the last six j'ears scarcely anything had been done in any of our institutions of higher learning to teach anything about the atmosphere and its efliect upon crops and animals. Since that time the department of agriculture has supplied 14 institutions of learning with instructors along this line. The American people have not given serious thought to their forests until they have been substantially destroyed. There is a large proportion of our acreage that can be best devoted to the growing of woods, but ver}' little at- tention has been given to forestry along educational lines. There is no univer- sity for the graduate of the agricultural college along educational lines, and for that reason it has been necessary to have them trained at Washington in order that we might do the work along the lines mentioned. Woods are be- coming dearer and dearer, arid will continue to do so. It takes a long time to grow a tree, and it is high time to set them out. Not many of the grasses, grains and legumes that make up our food crops for men and animals are indigenous to the United States. We find it necessary not only to look over the world for what we can get in addition to those we have for our several latitudes and soil and climatic conditions, but we find it necessary to create new varieties to meet existing conditions and de- mands. We are hybridizing grains, cottons and other plants to meet soil and climatic conditions and tlie de- mands of commerce. You do not grow cotton in New England, but you manufacture it. We produce a large part of the raw material of the world along these lines, but other nations are using strenuous efl:orts to become in- dei)endent of us. We are endeavoring to meet new conditions along these lines by improving the quality of our cottons. We are studying the diseases to which this plant is subject, and have made fair progress along these several lines. The corn crop of the country is suscei)tible of improvement. Corn is not a perfect ration for man or animals. The nutritive ratio of wheat makes it the most desirable of cereals. We are hybridizing and selecting for the piirpose of narrowing the nutritive ratio of corn, so that it will be a more perfect ration than it is at the jiresent time. We are also looking over the world for plants suitable to our new island jjossessions, so as to help those peoples toward producing everything we recjuire from tropical countries, and are having some success. ADS. THAT PAY are those that reach just the class of peo- ple to whom you want to sell your goods. If you want to do business with the to- bacco g rowers of New England, the adver- tising medium to use is' The New Eng- I. AND Tobacco Grower. Intelligent adver- tising- in The New England Tobacco Grower makes good customers. It brings not merely a tran- sient trade, but steady business, for the tcbacco growing industry is such that the grower finds himself in need of new equipment and new supplies at every season of the year. B>^e NEAV ENGLAND TOBACCO GROOVER, Hartrord. Connecticut. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 17 Study of Farming Important Advantages of Even a Short College Course in Agriculture Enfield Edward Fuller of Suffield has bought the broadleaf crop of Mathewson & Pouchot. J\ YOUNG Wisconsin man writes as follows: "My grandfather 'took up' the land 1 am now living on more than sixty years ago. The farm contains about 350 acres. It has fallen to my good fortune to become its manager this year and I hope to improve it. 1 raise Shorthorn cattle, Shropshii-e sheep and hogs. I have given the farm a special name and wish to become a first class business farmer, and con.sider myself a failure should such not be the case. I am 31 years old and wish to become a successful farmer. Will it pa}' me to employ hired help for the next two winters and spend my time at the Wis- consin Agricultural College in the short course?" This letter is interesting and sugges- tive for several reasons. First of all here is a young man who is proud in the thought of becoming the possessor of a piece of Wisconsin soil originally owned by his grandfather. In America we have too long looked upon the ownership of land as something com- monplace. To most of us land has been like a wagon, a horse or a jack- knife, — something that could be traded away or parted with with no second thought as to how it came into our possession or what we were leaving. In these days many young men are leaving the farm and "going into btisi- ness," as they call it "Going into business" with them means becoming a clerk in some country store, measuring tape behind a counter, traveling as a solicitor for some patentrignt, invention, book agency, or almost anything- others leave the farm to become craftsmen such as carpenters, blacksmiths, labor- ers about town— in fact anything to get off the farm. It is refreshing, therefore, to find this young man showing a real love in the possession of a goodly piece of Wisconsin soil, and a pride in the thought that he is to become a first-class stock farmer. Such a young man will succeed whether he takes the short course or not. But he had better take the short course. A man can become a lawyer without going to a law school: he can become a machinist without "learning the trade;" but it is far better as a rule to get into line as quickly as possi- ble by availing oneself of all of the facilities offered for education and advancement along each particular line. The University of Wisconsin in its buildings and equipment represents an outlay of several millions of dollars. All of this is available to j'oung men wishing to siiecially train themselves. The agricultural coUege, as part of the university, offers sjiecial inducement*^ to such young men as our inquirer. Here he will meet specialists in differ- ent lines of agriculture and can .secure just that training needed to put him ahead. By availing himself of the short course our inquirer can cut off seveial years of useless, expensive experiment- ing on his own part. Let us take the question of stock rearing, for example. He tells us that he keeps Shorthorn cattle and Shropshiie sheep. Now, a vast deal of information is given about these two breeds of farm animals at the college. The student is carefully drilled iu an understanding of the pedigrees of Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Many a farmer does not understand how to handle the subject of pedigrees. When he attends a cattle sale he is bothered by the catalogue, which tells a whole lot of things about the cattle being sold that he does not understand. Then our J'oung friend will be taught the points which characterize good animals and the weaknesses which are found in too many of them. He will be taught matters concerning the growing of crops, the securing of feed and the proper administration of feed to farm animals. In a thousand ways his knowledge of farm animals, their care and management will be advanced. Then the veterinarian will give him many useful hints and helps in pre- venting sickness and properlj' caring for sick animals. In the blacksmith shop he is well drilled in ordinary farm blacksmithing. In the horticul- tural department he studies a thous- and facts of use concerning plants, their care and growth ; in the depart- ment of agronomy he is taught con- cerning the best varieties of farm grains and seeds and how to secure the largest crops of the finest qiiality. Hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of projierty owned by the college is made available to the young farmer, and thirty teachers stand ready to help him gain helpful knowledge. More than all this, while at the agricultural college our young friend will associate with hundreds of other young men equally as ambitious as himself. There will be generated in his mind a hundred ambitions of the most helpful kind, his acquaintance- ship will be broadened and extended throughout the state. He will learn to have a pride in the great vocation of farming such as is impossible without such associations. Our young friend will become a strong, progressive farmer, a wealth producer in the state, a heavier taxpayer because of his in- creased earnings.— W. A. Henry, Director, Wisconsin Experiment Sta- tion. APPARATUS Of all kinds, of laige or small capadif , Mounted & Portable Outfits. Send for spt-cial Catalngni\ PUMPS For Fac- toriea or Private Use. FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines I <.t'rv)i-(;s. Special Pumping Enginesm PULLEYS, SHAFTING AND BELTING foi' piiuer KqiiipiiuMit >'f Fiiotririt^s and Mills. WINDMILLS, TANKS AND TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hose. In writing fur (.'at.ilngue please specify which one you want. We make a specialty of Water Supply Out- fits for Country Estates. CHARLES J. JAGER COMPANY 174 HIGH ST., BOSTON, MASS. THE USE OF AN Underwood Typewriter will increase your business. Rent one for a month and watch the result. Underwood Typewriter Company, 755-757 Main Street, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. 01 ULOIULIIndel tabacco per esportazlone. Perschlarlmentl rlvolgersl al M^rchese Eduardo Imperiale ARENA {CMbria) (8 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER ^^^^fWjiy^W^A?^^ THE HILLiN T Manufactured by tHe Hillman Tobacco Curer Company, NORTHAMPTON. MASSACHUSETTS. Patentea April 1st, IQOZ. It governs the atmospheric conditions, prevents sudden changes and dispels dampness, thereby producing a lighter colored crop. It creates a circulation evenly through the shed. The air may he Ideated if required to wilt or dry. It can readily be seen that no grower oi tobacco can af- ford to be without oiie, thf machine will pay for itself several times the first year, if a bad year. This machine may be seen in operation in Suffield, and Granby Station, Con- necticut. Westfield, Hatfield, or Iladley, Massachusetts. Save your tobacco free from pole-burn. It will do it. Hillman Tobacco Curer Company, NORTHAMPTON, MASS. i^^^ll!^tiSg[l^[^tiS^t^[^i^!^[^OMaSli[u^!lSM{l THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER J 9 LUTHBR M. CASE,. WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, Packer and Dealer in i / '■^tr Connecticut Leaf Tobacco. Shade Grown j^j^ Sumatra in Bales. Main Warehouse and Office, Pine Meadow, Conn, BRJfMCH IVJiREHOUSES: SouthwicU, Mass.,— Foreman, H. I,. Miller. East Canaan, Conn.,— Foreman, L. F. Bronsoii. Barkhanisted, Conn., — Foreman, L- A. Lee. North Hatfield. Mass.,— Foreman, Willis Holdeu. New Hartford, Conn., — Foreman, James Stewart. SUMATRA PLANTATIONS: ^J Pine Meadow, Conn., 25 Acres. JJ Barkhamsed, Conn., 20 Acres. ■J^ Sou hwick, Mass., 15 Acres, Always in the market for old Tobacco if well assorted and packed. Jt Havana Seed Wrap- pers a specialty, assorted and sized into thirty-two grades. ...... f^AmmmmrnKmimmmmm^mfrnm^mm Ag'ainst the Tramp Call for All Rural Communities to iStop Supporting Travelers wHo "Will Not AVorR ^—^ HE ■•Tramp of 1908" has had I the most strenuous season of his life. He has actually had to work hard to keep away from work. The wheat-grow- ers wanted him to work and offered him fl to -18 a day and board if he would work, but he was seeking rest, not work. The corn, hay and truck growers, all wanted him to work. In the towns and cities, mines and forests, in the mills and factories he was wanted. Wherever he has applied for a "handout," he has found an invita- tion to work thrust at him. Where he has tried to beg and sponge, he has found the chance to work and earn and become a man. The hoe, pick, shovel, crowbar, saw, ax, ham- mer, rake, tobacco hatchet, spear, and other tools have haunted him all summer. Through it all the genuine, thoroughbred tramp has come, a tramp with hands unsmirched bj- work, with stomach unfilled b}' earned food, and with scorn for all labor imdiminished. Those philanthropic fuddleheads and palaverers, who assert that the tramp is the pi'oduct of this or that fiscal or political system, or this or that busi- ness combination, should now be able to see that the tramp is a tramp be- cause he is born and inborn, bred and inbred a tramp, and that no need of the community appeals to him. He is on the road because he wishes to be there. He us out of work by choice. He would rather die than work. He is the hopeless, careless, helpless and willful social scrub. He has turned his back on work. He will a.sk food, lodging, clothing and money from a farmer, whose crops are .spoiling be- cause he can get no help to harvest them, but the tramp will not harvest them. The rural community Is absolved from all obligations to feed the able- bodied tramps who will not work. The word should henceforth pass through the farm communities: "Feed no tramps who refuse to work enough to pay for their meals. ' ' One year of refusal to feed these insolent, indo- lent vagrants would solve the tramp problem for the farm communities. Through the handoutless sections no tramp will pass. The towns breed tramps, and the country snould feed them. Tiirn them back to towns by refusing to feed them. A Stationary ]'"armer. the not the Portland Labor is easily obtained for strip- ping, and several farmers are taking down tobacco after a satisfactory cur- ing season. Three crops have been sold to Mr. Brewer, for Broad Brook interests, at private terms. There is no old tobacco to my knowledge, in farmers' hands. C alico tobacco appears in all crops this year, as it does more or less every season, and it has all colors and all grades, from poor to bad. There were plants that were rusty in the field, and these have cured down a thick, dark, rusty color. A. Quincy, Florida The shade-growers in this vicinity have had a very successful season, have made early sales of their tobacco, and many are erecting new warehouses and sheds as well as additional framework in the fields. IT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW: Tiie best place in Hartford to buy Jew- elry, to buy a watch, to have a watch repaired. It's over on Pearl street, just a little way from Main. GEORGE W. BALL, Diamond Broker and Jeweler, 65 PEARL ST., HARTFORD, CONN. 20 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER ^ The International Tobacco Cloth Plantation Boarding-house Equipment. ^ We are in a position promptly to supply all requirements for the ^° equipment of plantation boarding-houses, and the large orders we ^ have filled for such goods testify to our success in this branch of ^ business. We supply bedding, furniture, cooking utensils, table i~^ cutlery, crockery, mattings; in fact everything needed for a com- ^ plete establishment. ^ We carry, also, harnesses and horse clothing, in all styles and for ^ all uses. ^ Prompt shipments and careful attention to details mark our jAo treatment of orders. FORBES ®. WALLACE, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. ^9 9 V^ "^Ae New England Tobacco Grower VOL. IV. No. 4. HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, DECEMBER, 1903 $1.00 A YEAR Root Growth of Different Tobacco Plants NEW ENGLAND is now cultivat- ing four types of wrapper tobacco: Havana, Broadleaf, Sumatra and Cuban. Of tbese varieties, as is well- known, the Havana and the broadleaf have been grown in the Connecticut and Housatonic Valleys for years, while the Sumatra and Cuban types, grown under cloth, are new comers to this lesion. These plants have each cer- taiji characteristics. and can readily be distinf,,uished iiiTthe field, and it is inter- esting; to observe that the difference in tyi)e is carried beneath the ground, and is shown in the rout growth as well as in stalk and foliage. The illustration is from a photograph made for The New England Tobacco Grower from plants rai.sed on the Indian Head Plantations at Granby Station. The four plants were all grown under cloth in one field of \%% acres, and were selected with the'dea of obtaining repre- sentative types of the four varieties, show- ing the normal root growth of each. As all the plants were grown under cloth, the condi- tions were uniform for the four kinds. The photograph was necessarily taken with the stalks inverted, as the tine roots would otherwise droop and hide the features of the larger ones. The plants were taken from the ground with considerable cai-e, but the wash- ing away of the earth and the preser- vation of all of the fine roots was not practised. Stalk No. 1, the Sumatra, grown from seed previously raised in Connec- ticut, shows a growth of comparatively coarse roots, with both a wide distri- bution and a tendency to dig down for nourishment. These feeders do not. ROOTS Sumatra. OF FOUR 1 2, Havan,a. OF 3, WRAPPER Cuban. TOBACCO. .4, Broadleaf, however, have the hold upon the earth that a '^network; of smaller, tangled fibers would have, and to this fact must be laid the tendency of the Su- matra plant to stagger under certain conditions, requiring the "standing up" of the plants after a heavy down- pour of rain coming at a time in mid- summer when the plant has been mak- ing vigorous growth. These Sumatra roots, at a certain stage of the season, — when the ground has been softened in this ^pay, do not .seem to have the grasp suflieient to firmly uphold the very tall stalk affected by this variety of tobacco. Stalk No. 2, the Havana, shows a shaggy growth of roots, with more fine roots near the surface and near the base of the stalk than the Sumatra. The stalk, too, is heavier in weight, indicating a greater drain upon the feeding capacity of the roots, and the foliage, also, is of a heavier type of largtT leaves. The fine roots developing nearer to the stalk may be regarded as of early origin, 'and probably contr-bute early to the develop- ment of the plant aftei it is set in the field, so that Havana tobacco starts oflf more uniform in ap- pearance than the Sumatra. The Ha vana plant does not grow so tall, and this, together with the sturdiness of stalk and mat of a i^edestal, accounts for its and subsequent to roots for stability during storms. Stalk No. 3, the Cuban, represents a new type of tobacco for successful cul tivation in New England, for although seed from the island has been grown for development into the Havana type, the introduction of fresh Cuban seed THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER for culture under cloth is practically an innovation. The remarkable re- sults obtained from growing this type under cloth in the Connecticut Valley during the past season make it certain that the Cuban will be an important factor in the shade-grown trade. This plant, grown from seed fresh from the Island, jdoes not show the root growth of the varieties that are more at home in New England, but it will be ob- served that the stalk is even slenderer than that of the Sumatra, and for the amount of stalk and character of foli- age, the Cuban root is not out of propor- tion. Like its friend from Sumatra, the Cuban plant prefers to have its finer roots attached along the larger roots and thus distributed, instead of having a mass of fine roots near the base of the stalk after the fashion of the Connec- ticut,Havana and broadleaf. Stalk No. 4, the Connecticut broad- leaf, or seedleaf, with its strong mass of roots both coarse and fine, gives in- dication of the sturdiness of this plant, which is further testified to by the thick, heavy stalk itself. It shows, likewise, the behavior of a plant that has, through generations of growth in New England, become thoroughly ac- customed to the climate, a plant that is a strong, hearty feeder and capable of producing leaves of such a size as to be overwhelming in length and breadth. For spread of root, for ap- parent ability to wander through the solid, both shallow and deep, in search of plant food, the broadleaf seems to have the lead. Its roots are tough, and possibly a larger proportion of them hold to the plant and come along with the stalk when the photographer is gathering them. The roots of the four varieties are alike in color and composition when branches of the same size are com- pared, although, of course, the heavier the root, the more its hardness and fibrous composition approaches to that of tree root. In the seed-bed the Sumatra and Cuban plants look very much alike as to roots. The broadleaf has a bigger tap root at this stage, and is a heavier plant all around. The Sumatra and Cuban plants when in the seed-bed stage, go in for more roots and finer. The Iowa Idea A farmer of Union County, Iowa, has announced the following rules for his farm hands: "Wages will be $6 a day. Breakfast will be served in bed. Working hours will be from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. All heavy work is to be done by the boss. Cigars furnished free. Any hand working the entire season can have the farm. ' ' Deerfield The taking down of tobacco has been the chief local interest, the growers appreciating the damp oppor- tunity. The crop is light in color, and in good, sound shape. Buying seems to be postponed for awhile. Hot-Bed SasH. Get our quotations on Hot-Bed Sash. We make them in standard sizes or in special sizes to suit the requirements of Tobacco Growers, and guarantee, honest materials, the best of workmanship, and a good, serviceable sash. DOORS, GLAZED WINDOMTS, BLINDS, WINDOAV AND DOOR FR^AMCS. CALIFORNIA REDWOOD DOORS A SPECIALTY. Cord for Sash and Ventilators. E» A. Carlisle and Pope Co,, Successors io Le'bi Boles & Son, 2 Sudbury St., Cor. HaymarKet Scf., Boston, Mass. Suffield Patrick J. Farrell of South stieet met with an accident during the damp the middle of November, while work- ing in his tobacco shed. The pole up- on which he was standing turned, and Mr. Farrell fell to the ground, break- ing his left wrist. L. P. Bissell & Company have opened their warehouse, and it is be- lieved that enough tobacco will be handled to keep the employees busy all winter. Administrator Allen Pease, for the estate of the late Andrew Taylor, has sold to Michael Connors of Boston Neck for |2.800, a double tenement house on Oak street. Mr. Connors recently sold his farm to L. C. Seymour. An auction sale was held at the packing house of Herman Ude by Officer George B. Woodruff, for the disposal of six cases of tobacco belong- ing to James McGourn. The sale was held to satisfy a lien obtained by Mr. Ude for the charges of assorting and packing. Lowenthal & Zutty of New York bought the tobacco for six cents. New Porto Jiican Firm At Boston the Porto Rican Com- mercial Company was incorporated under the laws of Ma.ssachusetts No- vember 11 with a capital stock of $9,000, all paid in. The ofiBeers of the company are R. L. Wilbor, president; Harry M. Payne, treasurer, and De Blois Page, secretary. It is the intention of the company to handle a general line of Porto Rican products, but principally cigars. A factory for the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes and little cigars has been built upon their plantation at Aguas Buenos, Porto Rico. Sherman While the weather was too cold to make a perfect damp, quite a good deal of toisacco was taken down during the storm of November 17. The grow- ers are expecting good prices. Wallop M. J. Vining has erected a new windmill for raising the water from Buckhorn Brook to his buildings. Tobacco has to a large extent gone into the bundle, as the result of the visit of the damp weather. Mew Milford About half the 1903 crops are still hanging in the shed. Andrews & Peck, MANUFACTURERS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Doors, Windows and Blinds. Manufacturers' Agen's for Akron Sewer Pipe and Land Tile. We make a specialty of hotbed sash. Office, 88 MarKet Street, MiU: Charter Oak and Vredendalc Avenues, HARTFORD. CONN. SEnSON iFTEB SEBSOII The Dietz O. K. Tubular Lantern will s rve y^^^x \\\ llie seedbed ; keepitiE" the plants comfor- table during^ coldest nig'ht, or in the worst storm. And between times they will be found the most satisfat tqry house and barn lantern you can find. The Dietz O. K burns 17 hours without refitlintf. burns faithfully and without smok- ing', and in every way meeis tlie re- quirements of the tobacco errower. Tlie plobe need never be re- . . moved to lipht, trim or extinguish; the lilting- device makes that unnecessary. Jtsk your dealer to show you one, or send for our catalogue. R. E. BIETZ COMPANY Greenwich, corner Laight Street, NB'W YOR.K CITY. ESTABLISHED 1840 ffEJtDQU^ARTERS FOR ... Tob acco Insurance F. F. SMALL & CO., 95 Pearl St HERTFORD, COMM- ^he New England Tobacco Grower HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. DECEMBER, 1903 Broadleaf Crop Newrs of Groivers and Buyers in East Hartford and Vicinity S' raCE the early scramble lo secure certain crops of Broad- leaf in East Hartford and neighoring towns, there have been very few sales. E. O. Goodwin has been the piincipal buver, and the prices he has paid has been 25 cents assorted. Almost every grower took down some tobacco in the recent damp, from one-half an acre to five acres each. This tobacco is all stripped, and the growers are at this writing awaiting a new damp and hoping it will not be too long delayed in coming. ■ As "to the plantings nest year, a definite opinion as to the amount of increase in the Broadleaf acreage can not be formed until April, but it now looks as if there would be very little Havana seed set in this locality. For potash, the growers in this region look to tobacco stems, in case they do not use the complete forms of fertilizer. No warehouses have started up as yet, and it is not expected that any will start until January. The East Hartford warehouses employ in the aggregate 3.50 workmen from February 1 to May 1 . Many of the growers who sidd their 1903 crop to Sutter Brothers, Inc., are making new sales to other flams. W. F. Andross. 'Burnsid.e The season of 1903 has been very peculiar. It has been one of extremes, wet and dry, warm and cold, more of the later, however. The late fall has given us beautiful weather, but that is not what the tobacco growers have been looking for. Very little tobacco was taken down from poles until the 17th and 18th of this month, and then the damp was not altogether satisfac- tory, being too cold to dampen well. However, a greater part of the grow- ers were glad to avail tnemselves of even a poor damp. A third of the crop is piled and in the process of stripping. The leaf is light in weight and color, verj' fine and desirable, and should give satisfac- tion to the packer. No sales are reported from this yicinity of late. Probably half of the tobacco here is grown on stable m;inure. The other half is grown either on tobacco stems and cotton seed meal or on ready mixed fertilizer. Th% warehouses will not open before December 1. It used to be thought that tobacco could be grown and de- livered at 10 cents per pound, but now 13 to 14 cents per pond is required to meet ordinary expenses./) Most tobacco lands are plowed and some manured for next season's crop. Kather more manure should be used in the fall than in spring. Those who have not prepared land for a bed should improve some warm, pleasant day for that purpose. James S. Forbes. s South Windsor About one-fifth of the crop has now- been stripped. There have been no sales recently, and tobacco affairs have been at a stand.still, largely on account of the dry weathei, which, until the storm of the middle of November, and that a cold one, made it impossible to even look at the crop. There will be an increased acreage of Broadleaf next year, if the good prices contracted for in connection with the 1903 crop ai'e paid. The growers have been watching the developments in the leaf trade the past few weeks with great interest. ^ Cotton hull ashes and tobacco stems are the sources of potash most favored b}' those who do not use the ready- mixed fertilizers altogether. X. Weymouth A tobacco shed owned by Seth H. Phelps in Weymouth has been de- stroyed by lire with an acre and a half of tobacco, eight tons of hay, two carriages, business wagon and a fjuan- tity of farming implements. The fire had gained much headway before dis- covered, and the neighboring farmers worked with a will to save the sur- rounding property. A steam-heated packing house situated a few rods from the fire was in imminent danger, and caught fire twice but was saved. About $1,000 will cover the loss. There was an insurance of |800, divided as follows; One hundred and fifty dollars on barn. |3.t0 on tobacco .-md .'1400 on the other contents. The tire is thought to have been the work of an incendiary. Deputy State Fire Marshal Seeley and Deputy Sheriff Wilson of Thorn psonville spent nearly all day Wednesday investigating the cause of the fire. There are some sus- picious circumstances, but no tangible clues have been obtained. J. Gans has bought the crops of Isaac Twonibley and Jacob Frey. A fire at about 10:30 in the evening of November 14. destroyed the tobacco shed, barns and adjoining buildings belonging to James Furey. The house was saved only by a very hard fight by the neighbors. Mr. Furey was in at- tendance at the fair of St. Patrick's church in Thoiupsonville that evening and did not hear of the fire until his return home, after tue buildings were in ruins. The buildings destroyed were not far from the site of the burned barn belonging to Seth H. Phelps. Fortunately the live stock in Mr. Furey's barn consisted of but one horse, which was rescued, nothing else of value being saved. The buildings contained about two and one-half tons of tobacco, which had been sold for 17 cents per pound, about 30 tons of hay, all the farming tools, harnesses and wagons excepting one farm wagon not in the building. The loss is placed at|3,.")00, with an insurance of $600 on the tobacco and about as much more on the buildings and farming utensils. A barn belonging to Mr. Furey was destroyed by fire about three years ago. HUlstouiti The dry weather that prevailed until the storm of the middle of November prevented any moves in the tobacco business, and the principal sales re- main those that were made to E. O. Goodwin a few weeks previous to this. The tobacco that came down in the storm referred to is very satisfactory in appearance and deserving of good prices. Mr. Goodwin's purchases include the following: The crops of W. H. Hill, William Wickham, E. F. Hill and S. Slater, for 33 and five; the crop of C. C. Hill, 31 cents through. New York. Lewis Brothers, leaf dealers, are represented in Connecticut by H. I. Lewis, who is out on a buying trip. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER POQUONOCK Considerable tobacco was taken down in the damp of November 17. Fully one-half of the crop is down and stripped. There have been no sales here as yet and no lookers. Very little damage was done by pole sweat this year. Warehouses have not begun work yet and there seem to be no indications that they will for some time. It is too early yet to saj- what will be raised another year. I think a few of the larger growers will try a few acrse of broadleaf. Clark Brothers are thinking of putting out 3.t acres. We believe we can grow as good a broad- leaf on the west side of the Connecti- cut River as is grown on the east side. The outlay of fertilizer per acre, on the average, in our neighborhood is from sixty to seventy-five dollars. All tobacco land is plowed in the fall, either by turning out the rows and harrowing, or ploughing clean. Very little manure is turned under in the fall. It is thought by many that it is not good policy unless it is turned under very late, just before the ground freezes. It will iiartially rot and the plant food will wash away. And again, if you use manure for humus, you don't want it to commence to rot until spring. The plant food is then liberated as the plant needs it. There have been more acres of to- bacco land sown to rye this fall than usual. A few sowed oats. Some growers do not like rye as they say there is too much acid in it. Others have used rye for years with good results. Law on Leaf Sales A bill introduced in Congress by Representative Hopkins proposes that '"it shall be lawful for the growers of leaf tobacco to stem, twist, and sell their own product without the pay- ment of the tax now required of manu- facturers of the same under existing laws. ' ' Another bill on the same lines, pre- sented by Representative Trimble of the same state, contains the provision "that farmers and groweis of tobacco shall hereafter have the right to sell tobacco in the raw or unadulterated state, of their own growth, in any quantity, either in the leaf, twist, or such other form as they may wish, free from any tax or charge, or being in any manner subject to any statutory regulation on the part of the Govern- ment ot the United States." East Hartland. Tobacco is slowly coming d jwn and it is hoped that none will be hanging by the end of the year, although satis- factory damps are not frequent so late in the season. E. E. Emmons has about finished the state road section upon which he has had a gang of men employed, and un- less progress is interrupted it will not be so very long before there will be a continuous state road from East Hart- land to Granby station. F. B. GRIFFIN RECEIVER. One immediate result of the failure of Sutter Brothers, Inc., is the appoint- ment of a receiver for The Interna- tional Tobacco Culture Corporation of East Hartford, operating an extensive tobaccb farm at North Bloomfield. Of the $100,000 capital stock of this corporation, |43,000 is owned bv Sut- ter Brothers, Inc.: |.50,000 by the Miami Valley Leaf Tobacco Company, *5,000by Clinton Spencer of Suffield, and 13,000 by George A. Billings of Hartland. The application for a re- ceivership was made by the members of the firm of the Miami Valley Leaf Tobacco Company, — Moses Krohn of Cincinnati and Allen H. Reeder and Stanley M. Krohn of Dayton. The Miami Valley Company and Sutter Brothers, Inc. had each loaned to The International Tobacco Culture Corporation about $30, 000 on the notes of the corporation, and the notes given to Sutter Brothers had been discounted and at the time of the Chicago failure were outstanding among various banks. Under these circumstances the Ohio stockholders decided to apply for a receiver in order that the interests of all might be protected. Judge .Silas A. Robinson of the Su- perior Court granted the petition on November 18, and appointed Fred B. GrifBn of Granby permanent receiver under a bond of |30,000. and John A. DuBon and Louis B. Haas of Hartford as appraisers. Mr. Griffin has been the manager of the farm since the cor- poration was formed. Gregory's Book. The treatise on fertilizers written by J. J. H. Gregory of Marblehead. is a practical book that can be read by a tobacco grower with as much interest as any one. Mr. Gregory has learned a great deal about fertilizers and their application in the hara school of ex- perience, and he has the facility of ex- plaining clearly. Ellington John E. Egan, surveyor for the pro- posed trolley road between Rockville, Ellington and Warehouse Point, has completed his specifications and has submitted th^m to the Springfield & Hartford company. It is intended that work on th e construction of the road will be begun in the spring. Use the Spreader Some people handle manure in a ra- ther crude way. The manure spreader has revolutionized this part of farm work for those who use it and it will for any others who will give it a trial. The even spreading of manure over a large acreage means dollars when the next crop is harvested, and the differ- ence between the crop raised after its use and without will soon pay for the machine. Piling manure in the fields is a very wasteful practice and spread- ing too thickly another. Both are avoided by the use of the spreader. - Wisconsin. East Granby. Among^'the recent sales of tobacco are the following: Morgan Bacon, John Graham, Horace Griffln, Charles Veils, and Charles Bates to L. B. Haas of Hartford; F. C. Crane to W. J. Gabb of Bloomfield: and Jason R. Veils to E. Wever of West Suffield. Hartford. J. E. Shepard, of the firm of Miller & Shepard, has made a successful trip to York and other Pennsylvania towns. Among Mr. Shepard' s sales was ten bales of shade-grown tobacco to one purchaser. This is from the crop grown on the Miller & Shepard farm. East Windsor Hill. Southivick H. L. Miller has started a dozen em- ployees at assorting tobacco for Luther M. Case. The 1903 crop is turning out a very high percentage of light wrapper, and will make a very satisfactory packing. LUhately Quite a good deal of tobacco has been taken down. Lewis Scott and Hiram Dickinson have sold their crops for 15 cents. Daniel Dickinson has disposed of his 1902 tobacco. Albin Strong of Hatfield has pur- chased the Wslls Dickinson property with the intention of cutting off the timber. Humidifying Systems. For its new warehouse on Blue Hills Avenue, Hartfoi-d, the West Side Su- matra Tobacco Growing Comiiany has ordered the in.stallation of an air moist- ening system by the American Moist- ening Com]iany of Boston. This sys- tem is rapidly finding favor among to- bacco warehousemen, and is in use at the plants of the Owl Commercial Company, Quiucy, Florida, at The In- ternational Tobacco Culture Corpoia- tion. East Hartfcjrd, and Olds & Whipple, Hartford. Question: Why is it, year after year. Tobacco Growers order Paper and Twine of P. GARVAN? Jtnswer: We alwaj-s get the best and at the lowest prices. Anticip:itin^'- strikes Mr. Garvan lias secured six carloads of paper at old prices. Call and be convinced, at 205 State Street, HARTFORD. CONNECTICUT G. GoldsmitH ^ Co., TOBACCO BROKERS 208 Sheldon Street, Hartford, Conn. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Heating vSurface Ho'v«r to £stimate on Piping Reqtuired for a GreenKouse Plant UPON the square feet of glass in the roof and walls depends the amount of piping recjuired for a green- house and to this should be added about one fifth of the area of exposed walls other than glass. This being as- certained, it will be an easy matter to. estimate the number of square feet of piping required to heat the house to any desired temperature. If the house be well built and not unusually exposed to high winds, the following rule will answer in places where the temperature seldom goes be- low zero, with ten below as a mini- mum. For a temperature at night of sixty degrees use one square foot of pipe for each three square feet of glass, and increase or decrease the amount of glass that can be heated, one- half of a square foot for each ijve degrees that the temperature is to be varied from sixty degrees. Thus, for fifty degrees one square foot of pipe will heat four square feet, while it will only answer to heat two square feet of glass to seventy degrees. To carry the water through the house and provide radiating surface, wrought iron pipe with screw joints is now most generally used. For houses more than seventy-five feet in length it will be best to use 3 -inch pipe, but in smaller hou.ses l^ginch pipe may be used tor the returns. Except in very small houses the flow pipes should not be less than two inches in diameter, and in some cases they may be still larger. Let us suppose that we have a house 50x20 feet, with 1,.5T5 square feet of glass in the roof, sides and ends (including also one-fifth of the wooden wall exposed). To heat it to sixty degrees it will require 53.") square feet of pipe. As it requires about two feet of one and one-half inch pipe to give one square foot of radiat- ing surface, it will take 1,0.50 linear, or 31 runs, of that size to aiford the desired temperature. Using two-inch pipe, one linear foot will afford .631 square feet of radiating and nearly 850 linear feet, or 17 runs, will be re- quired. Foi a house of Ihis length one flow will answer for four returns of the same size, but if it is 100 feet long the number of returns should be reduced to two for each flow. It will then re quire for the house under coosidera- tion four Hows and 13 returns, when two-inch pipe is used, and five flows and It) returns when using one and one-half-inch pipe. Another method would be to use two-inch flow pipes and one and one-half-inch returns, when four of the former and sixteen of the latter will be necessary. While all the pipes may be under the benches, on the walls, f r in the walks it will be better to have only tue re- turns there, and to place the flows overhead where they can be distributed upon the post supporting the roof. It is often a good plan to have one of the pipes eithei flow or leturn. upon each of the plates. For most purposes it will be best to us the down hill system of piping, having the highest part of the flow pipes at tlie end nearest the heater, carrying with them a slope of one inch in ten or fifteen feet to the further end, where they can be con- nected with the returns, which should also slope toward the heater. ^forth Hatfield A new assorting shop has been opened by Oscar Belden & Sons. During this winter I should like to see in The New England Tobacco Grower a discussion of seed-bed methods especially as to the compari- son of gla.ss frames and cloth beds; also whether the cost of making manure hot-beds is so great as to off- set any advantages over the use of lanterns. I have always used lanterns myself, and this plan has worked satis- factorily with me. South Deer field John C. Decker is using his new tobacco warehouse, 35 by 70, which has been completed at a cost of $3,500. The plant includes a private hydrant and fire hose sufficient to protect the building. John Meagher is building a tobacco wai'ehuuse 36 by 60, well equipped at a cost of about |3.000. Building improvements during the past year have included a tobacco barn, 30 by G'^, erected on North Main street by William Gorey. Hubbard & Dar- ling have made aa additionto their to- bacco shed. I Sumatra Smuggling On October 21 Special Treasury Agents Clayton and Curtis. who are on night duty at the Red Star line dock, Hudson River, N. Y., seized 300 pounds of tobacco in the saloon at 352 Fulton street. New York City. They had been "tipped ofi:'" that smuggling was being done by the firemen on the Kroonland, but after watching all night they saw nothing suspicious. Then they got another tip that some Sumatra leaf would be found in the saloon name J. They went there ^nd seized 100 tvo-pound bundles. Last week, in the United States Dis- trict Court at Criminal Term, in Tren- ton, N. J., the following were found guilty of smuggling Sumatra and sen- tenced to the terms of imprisonment mentioned: Charles Cohn, two years: William Knocktobroeen, one month; Paul Junge, one month: Reas Regener, one month; and Ludwig Bergman, one month. Westfield Sales are few and far between; one lot of 1903 was sold at clo.se to 30 cents last week. It was a three-acre lot be- longing to Mr. Clifford. During the damp of the 17th, about 20 per cent, was taken down, and all are hard at work stripping. Charles Dewey and Henry Bosshart are already sorting theirs and every- thing ijoints to a good sound crop of light color The general tendency of the growers is to use ready mixed fertilizers on ac- count of being more evenl}- mixed. Very few can take the shovel and mix it as it shoula be. Some are inclined to u.se potash with cotton -seed meal, using a starter at the time of setting. The location and soil have a great deal to do as to the best materials for use. What is "one man's meat is another's poison," and this can be said of a to- bacco lot. No warehouses have as yet started up, but the managers are getting things in to shape for the winter's work. The cost of raising a crop of tobacco today is less than it was ten years ago, on account of improved machinery and methods, but I should say that not over two cents a pound less. Tlie usual estimate of 10 cents a pound is fulh' low enough, when you consider the interc-it on money invested in land and sheds and higher cost for labor each year; also the demands of the buyer who insists on a much better quality and on more care in handling from the time the plant is set to the time the crop goes into the bundle, — tnerefore more waste and a higher percentage to the pound is the result. Very few can honestly say their yield is a ton to the acre and back it up. The damp of November 23 was too cold for any good results the mercury reaching only 40 degrees above zero. Take it all around, it has been a hard year for the grower of tobacco. Hillside Windsor 1 have visited several of the ware- houses that are force-sweating tobacco grown under cloth, and have obseived the different methods of handling mentioned in the last issue of The New England Tobacco Grower. Those who are standing by the orthodox way of sweating the tobacco first and then assorting it, seem to be the most con- fident of the correctne.ss of their method; but the packers who size and assort their tobacco before sweating hold that they can do it more econom- ically, and that the tobacco so assorted before the colors are set may not be so accurately graded, but that it will answer the purpose with the trade. Tobacco Lath Patent The United States Patent office has registered the idea of Israel C. Putnam of East Hartford for a tobacco lath for curing primed tobacco leaves. The lath is notched, and has a spiral spring wound about it to hold the stems of the leaves. Mr. Putnam has assigned a half interest in the patent to Freder- ick H. Comstock of East Hartford. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Observations Curiosities of Plant Culttire Discussed by Oscar J^oew, Department of Agriculture. — ^ lOlL, climate, rich and uuifoim ^^ manuring, careful curing and proper fermenting must be combined in order to yield a commercial product of su- perior quality. The value of tobacco depends probably more largely upon its quality than is the case with any other farm product. The weather constitutes one of the most important factors as to the (jual- ity of the tobacco. Too moist as well as too dry years are injurious; in the latter because the leaves remain small- er and grow thick and become rela- tively too heavy; and, furthermore, show insufficient ela.sticity and fre- quently burn poorly. In too moist years the leaves remain weak, ar." at- tacked easily by fungi and, moreover, the aroma of the tobacco is injured. In rainy weather, especially when the temperature is rather low, the amount of acid in the leaves is also increased and this may exert a deterimental effect on the oxidizing enzyms in the curing process when the tobacco is harvested in such a condition. The oxidizing enzyms are the promoters of all desirable changes in the curing and the sweating process. Variable weather is the best. Van Bemmelen says that the weather in Sumatra is generally more favorable than in Java where frequently ex- tremes are observed. In Deli, Su- matra, oc>_asional rains occur even dur- ing the dry monsoon. After 30 days of dry weather a rain is much desired there for tobacco. Forty days of dry weather are considered very injurious. The short showers falling during the period of tobacco growing are con- sidered so important that a continuous record is kept on many tobacco planta- tions. It is principally the great rapidity of development that causes the fineness of the ribs and veins and the elasticity, making the tobacco leaves from Sumatra unsurpassed as wrappers. On warm bright days not only is much more carbon assimilated— that is, more starch, the mother substance of all the other organic constituents of the plants, is formed, but also the respiration is increased by the high temperature, although not to such an extent as to consume all the starch in- creased by the bright light. All processes of metabolism are thus pro- moted by warm and bright days, un- desirable by-products may be destroyed and favorable products formed. How differences of temperature in- fluence the intensity of the respiration process may be seen from the follow- ing data. While Behrens observed for 100 grams fresh tobacco leaf at 31 degrees Centigrade (69.8 degrees Fahr- enheit), a production of0.3.")4 grams of carbonic acid in ten hours, Deherain and Moissan observed in the same length of time as much as l.H'iH grams at 40 degrees Centigrade ( 107. 6 degrees Fahrenheit) — that is, more than five times as much. The tobaccv seed seems somewhat neglected by nature, since the amount of reserve material to support the young plant in its first stage is exceed- ingly minute. It takes 21 seeds to weigh one milligram ; consequently the initial growth is but slow and much in disproportion to the later ener- getic development, the tobacco after being planted in the field often reach- ing its full development in 45 days in Florida. The reserve material of the endo- sperm of the seed consists, according to Harz, essentially of fat and protein matter, and is like the 0.(5 mm. long embryo, devoid of starch. The young delicate plant soon consumes this small amount of reserve material and is forced to prepare its own organic matter in a much earlier stage than is for instance a corn, barley or bean plant. Unusual caie is required in the seed bed, which if too moist will favor fungus diseases among the young plants. A moderately dry soil. occasionally sprinkled, is preferable. From the Department George T. MacNess, tobacco expert of the Bureau of Soils, Department of Agriculture, has been visiting the to- bacco regions of the Connecticut Valley and examining the tobacco now under- going the force-sweating process in the different warehouses. Bloomfield Harriet L. Perkins has sold to Clara Donnelson an acre of land near the farm of the International Tobacco Culture Corporation. The heirs of Jason G. Marble, late of Windsor, have sold to Charles E. and Fanny C. Banfield, seven acres of land near Linke's Corner. A Golden Rule of Agriculture: Be good to your land and your crop will be good. Plenty of Potash in the fertilizer spells quality and quantity in the har- , vest. Write us and we will send you, free, by neit mail, C^ our money winning books. HAND STEAM OR POWER PUMPS For Fac- tories or Private Uae. FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines fioi.i U to 7.'. Ildise Pi'wer for all services Special Pumping Engines. PULLEYS. SHAFTING AND BELTING for P..«,-r Kiiuiiiinoit f F:ii'l"i ifS sii.l Jlills. WINDMILLS, TANKS AND TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hcse. Ill writint; tnr Cat I.K'Ip I'lease spe<'if\ wliii'b one yon watit. We make a siiecialty i^f Water Snpiitv Oiit- Hts for Countrv Esla'tfs. CHARLES J, JAGER COMPANY, 174 HIGH ST., BOSTON, MASS. Syracuse The creditors of James W. Upson, of Baldwinsville, are rejoiced to learn that, from present estimates, their claims will be paid about seventy-five cents on a dollar, which is one of the largest dividends paid in a local failure. »> _ "Millions for Farmers " So .says Secretary Wilson, U. S. Dep't of Agriculture. r Y ■ A Exhaustive Tests Prove that the Finest Grade of mcco CUBAN LEAF n U nTft Filler and Wrapper Can be Grown K 11 ll I N '" E^**' Texas on the Line of the imUlU SOUTHERN PACIFIC Write for Full Infor- Soils and Climate similar to famous Vuelta maiionio .. Aba jo District of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. H T. J. ANDERSON, Gen. Pass. AgU, Houston, Texas THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Every Tobacco Gro-w^er and Every Farmer Needs One Fairbanks Gasolene Engines UTILITY DURABILITY ECONOMY Are three of their many excellent features. "A frieml in need is a friend indeed." You can always rely on the "FairVjanks. woiker. Let us tell vou more about them A ready and willing in our cataloffue No. 360. Vertical I 1=2 to lO H. P. Horizontal 3 H. P. up. Neither can you afford to ship your product without weighing it on a FAIRBANKS vSCALE You will need a truck. We have trucks in stock of every description. Call and see them at our sales and wareroom, where you will find a full line of MILL AND FACTORY SUPPLIES. The Fairbanks Company, 314 (51. 316 Pearl Street, Hartford, Conn. New York, N. Y. Albany, N. Y. Baltimore, Md. Buffalo, N. Y. Pittsburg, Pa. Philadelphia, Pa. New Orleans, La. Montreal. Que. Vancouver,B.C. Boston, Mass. London, E. C. Toronto, Out. DeatH of Janssen Founder and for Manx Years the Manager of tKe Deli Maatschappij. PJ. JANSSEN. the founder of • the business of cultivating to- bacco in the Island of Sumatra, has died in Amsterdam at the age of 84. Forty years ago Mr. Janssen provided the capital with which Nienhui.is started on a commercial scale the culture of the leaf from seed he had taken from Java to Sumatra. The results were promising, and on Nov. 1, 1869, with Mr. Janssen as director and general manager, was founded the Deli Maatschappij, the to- bacco company which has for thirty years dominated the Sumatia market of the worla. The brunt of the enor- mous trade which that company has done in Sumatra tobacco was borne for thirty years by Mi. Janssen, who only four years ago, becoming an octogena- rian, retired from the active manage- ment of that giant corporation, being succeeded as director by a most worthy and brilliant young man, Mr. H, C. van der Honert. The Deli Maatschappij when founded by Mr. Janssen started with one plantation and a capital of 300,000 florins, or $130,000, but when it celebrated its silver jubilee nine to four million on which it paid of nearly 63 per years ago it had under the wise man- agement of its indefatigable director acquired twenty-two plantations, and its capital increased florins, or ifl,600,000, an average dividend cent. A friend says of him : Mr. Janssen was not a na''ive of Holland: he was born in Hanover, Germany, but made Amsterdam his home from early youth. He was one of the most affable men to be met with and by the grace of his manners charmed everybody who came in contact with him. As a man of affairs, as the record of his giant cor- poration proves, he had few superiors. In spite of his enormous success and the wealth he accumulated by his fore- sight and work he was one of the most modest men in the highe.st spheres of life, personifying almost symplicity itself. He was no grabber of fortune for selfish ends. For much of it he gave away in charities and in a way to cover up his personality. He lived a long and useful life and in the to- bacco world will always be gratefully remembered as the Sumatra King. Back to Rhodesia George M. Odium, special agent of the Department of Agriculture of Rhodesia, has returned to Salisbury, South Africa, after spending six months in the United States, making a study of the tobacco growing industry. Just before he sailed from New York, Mr. Odium made a trip to Hartford and saw some of the tobacco-producing region of New England. Mr. Odium says that he has obtained much information during his stay in the United States which he thinks will be of value to him in improving the methods of tobacco culture in Rhodesia. He admits that the tobacco raised in that country is not satisfactory, but he is hopeful of accomplishing some- thing under the auspices of the govern- ment of that colony. FOR »SALE. Tobacco Lands in the Nacogdoches District of East Texas. Designated by Hon. James Wilson, Secretary TJnited States Department of Agri- culture, as equal to the Pinar del Rio lands of Cuba for the culture of the aromatic cigar tobaccos. For prices and full particulars write L. C. YOUNG, Great Northern Hotel, Hot Springs, Ark. 8 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER '(5he New England Tobacco Grower Published monthly by Tobacco Grower Publishing Co. S3 Trumbull street, Hartford Fire Insurance Building Hartford, Connecticut. Subscrlptlont One Hollar a Year. Ten Cents a Copy. Official Journal of The New Eng^land Tobacco Growers' Association. PAUL ACKERLY, Editor. CONTRIBUTING EDITOf^S Elected by The New Eng-land Tobacco Growers' Association : Connecticut. Luther M. Case, Winsted. William J. Hayes, Tariffville. Col. E. N. Phelps, indsor. W. E. Burbank, Thompsonvillp. Edward W. Dewey, Granby. William F. Andross, East Hartford. Newell St. John, Simsbury. James S. Forbes. Burnside. H. O. Warner. New Mil ford. A. H. Clark, Poquonock. Ariel MitchelsV il enacted, etc., That whenever the President of the United States shall receive satisfactory evidence that the Republic of Cuba has made pro- vision to give full effect to the articles of the convention between the United States and the Republic of Cuba, signed on the 11th day of December, in the year 1903, he is herebj' author- ized to issue his proclamation declaring that he has received such evidence, and thereupon on the tenth day after exchange of ratifications of such con- vention between the United States and the Republic of Cuba, and so long as the said convention shall remain m force, all articles of merchandise oeing the product of the soil or industry of the Republic of Cuba wliich are now imported into the United States free of duty shall continue to be so admitted free of duty, and all other articles of merchandise being the product of the soil or industry of the Republic of Cuba imported into the United States shall be admitted at a reduction of 20 per cent, of the rates of duty thereon, as provided by the tariff act of tue United States approved July 24, 1897, or as may be provided by any tariff law of the United States subsequently' enacted. The rates of duty herein granted by the United States to the Republic of Cuba, are and shall con- tinue during the term of said conven- tion preferential in respect to all like imports troin other countries: J^ra- vided. That while said convention is in force no sugar imported from the Republic of Cuba, and being the pro- duct of the soil or industry ot the Re- public of Cuba, shall be admitted into the United States at a reduction of duty greater than 20 per cent, of the rates of duty thereon, as provided bj- the tariff act of the United States ap- proved July 24, 1897, and no sugar the product of any other foreign country shall be admitted by treaty or conven- tion into the United States while this convention is in force at lower rate of duty than that provided by the tariff act of the United States approved July 34,1897: And proi:l(lc,lf,irl/,er. That nothing herein contained shall be hed or construed as an admission on^ the part of the House of Representatives that customs duties c n be changed otherwise than by an act of Congress originating in said House. "Sec. 2. That so long as said con- vention shall remain in force the laws and regulations adopted or that may be adopted by the United States to protect the revenue and prevent fraud in the declarations and proofs that the articles of merchandise to which said convention may apply are the product or manufacture of the Republic of Cuba shall not impose any additional charge or fees therefor on the articles imported, excepting the consular fees established, or which may be estab- lished, by the United States for issuing shipping documents, which tees shall not be higher than those charged on the shipments of similar merchandise from any other nation whatsoever; that articles of the Republic of Cuba shall receive, on their imjjortation into the ports of the United States, treat- ment equal to that which similar articles of the United States shall re- ceive on their importation into the ports of the Republic of Cuba; that any tax oi charge that may be imposed by the national or local authorities of the United States upon the articles of merchandise of the Republic of Cuba embraced in the provisions of said con- vention subsequent to importation and prior to their entering into consump- tion into the United States shall be imposed and collected without discrini- mination upon like articles whenceso- ever imported." In a speech in the Committee of the Whole, Chairman Payne, speaking for the Ways and Means Committee, ex- plained the history ot the reciprocity proposition, and, continuing, said: Under the Wilson bill we had fallen behind in the revenue and, the object of a Republican bill always is to pro- duce revenue as well as protection. A Democratic bill, as, for instance, the Wilson Gorman enormity, was neither protective nor did it supply sufficient revenue to support the Government. It was wrong at both ends. They pro- fess the principle of tariff for revenue only with incidental protection. They did not get the protection incidental", nor did they get the revenue under their bill; and sj it is that we put the rate of duty higher on sugar than was absolutely necessary because we could get this splendid revenue from the sugar duty, a revenue that came trom the people of the United States who use sugar in their households. From this, Mr. Chairman, it will be easily seen that ,■; reduction of 20 per cent, upon the high rate of dutv put in the bill by the Senate, which went into the law, does not cut down the rate of duty on sugar so as to imperil for one moment any single industry in the United States, the cane or the beet sugar industry. That is the reason we did not give more than 20 per cent, in the House bill two years ago, and that is the reason the Executive has put tills rate of 20 per cent, reduction in tlie treaty which is now before us. We harm no American industry. How was it upon tobacco; The Bub.iect of tobacco has lieen l)efore the Ways and Means Committee on various occasions. We have had endless hear- ings, and I do not know but some of us could manufacture a cigar now fjecause of the practical expeiience and teach- ing that we have had from these gentlemen who make cigars. We found out that they were introducing Sumatra tobacco into the country, a very thin leaf, a tough, and pliable leaf, just the one for a wrapper. It suits the eye when it is put on. It is true that you can not carrj' a Sumatra-wrapped cigar in your vest pocket more than twenty four minutes without its wearing out, but if you take it wrapped from the box and smoke it you will never know but that is it real tobacco with which the cigar is wrapned. That leaf wraps a great many millions of the cigars that are annually wrapped in this country. It has this peculiar feature about it: One pound of this leaf will wrap as many cigars as nearly 4 pounds of any other leaf grown in anj' other country, Cuba or the United States, and so one pound is worth almost as much as four pounds of any other tobacco for wrapper purposes We had to meet that in order to protect the tobacco in- terests of the United States and the to- bacco-growing interests of the United States which give life and prosperity to so many farms and farmers m the United States. It became necessary to put a higher duty on wrapper tobacco. We placed it at 12 a pound in the Mc- Kinley bill, if I remember rightly, but it was fixed as |1.8.5 as the bill was finally passed under the Dingley Act — ^1 Sa a pound — a good deal more than 100 per cent, on the value of the article. Yes, I think it got up into the 200 per cent, region. We had to put it there on account of the Sumatra tobacco. At the same time it appeared to us that we could get along with a much lower rate of duty if we had not any- thing to contend against except the Cuban leaf. That was as heavy as our own: pound per pound it would wrap about the same number of cigars, and there was no reason in the world whj' we should put this high rate of duty on the Cuban leaf except this, that we must deal equally with all nations and put the same rates of duty on all goods coming into this countiy, whether they came from the German islands or from tne island of Cuba, or wherever they came from. We could not favor one nation more than another. We could not favor one tobacco leaf more than another; and so we put on a duty sufficient to protect our people against the Sumatra leaf : but it was a great deal more than was necessary to protect them against the Cuban leaf, and when we come to cut off this 20 per cent, of that duty on tobacco imported from Cuba, it does not even then reduce it to the same degree of competition in ovrr market with our tobacco as would (0 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER the Sumatra leaf with this rate of 11.85. It harms no American in- dustry. Now, I have received two or three letters myself, and then somebody has gone to the expense of piinting a petition head addressed to myself as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, to be signed by cigar makers throughout the United States, protesting against this reduction of duty on cigars. These circulars evi- dently have been circulated throughout the United States. The first one came o me some three or four weeks ago, and yet there is so little interest on the part of the cigar^makers of the United States that I have not received a dozen petitions from the whole country upon this subject, 'showing that they do not believe what is^stated in the petition, that it will injure the cigar industry in the United States. Mr. Heni-y of Connecticut. Will the gentleman permit a question? The Chairman. Does the gentleman from New York yield? Mr. Payne. Certainly. Mr. Henry of Connecticut. The Quty on Cuban leaf tobacco, now 35 cents, is to be reduced seven cents, leaving a duty of 28 cents. Will the gentleman tell us whether the reduc- tion upon manufactured cigars is the equivalent of that seven cents a pound, or, as is claimed in the letter you re- ceived, is it much greater? Mr. Payne. If the relation of the duty on tobacco to the duty on cigars is the correct relation between the two today, then the reduction of 30 per cent, on each would have a similar effect. But I want to go a little further than that. I understand that we import into the United States less than one-eighth of one per cent, of all the cigars that are consumed here. We make more than 99 per cent, of all the cigars that are consumed here in the United States. That is a pretty high protection! Why, it is equivalent to 104 per cent. It is a mixed duty, specific and ad valorem, equal to about 104 per cent. Well, take off 30 per cent, of that, and you still have 85 per cent, equivalent duty left upon cigars. That ought to take care of the industry. But let us go a little further than that. I received a letter this morning from an officer of an association stating that the reduction of 30 per cent, duty on cigars made a reduction of $13.60 upon a thousand cigars. Well, that would leave a duty of |50 on a thousand cigars, and the cost of making a thous- and cigars is from $12 to $18 for the labor. Now, it seems to me these people, the few of them — and they are very few — who have been induced to sign these petitions, are unduly sensi- tive. The truth of it is that it does not harm or threaten their industry. It does not make a single penny's difference with the prospect of this in- dustry to cut off this high rate of duty, which is put there because of the com- petition of the tobacco leaf coming from Sumatra and not that coming from Cuba. So it mu8t be pretty evident, Mr. Chairman, that there is nothing in this legislation or in this treaty that will harm any industry in the United States. Will we get any benefit from it? It is a reciprocal agreement. It is not quite as good an agreement as I put in my bill two years ago. We got a little better terms, or would have had, it that bill had become a law and they had made a treaty in accordance with it. And yet I do not know but it is more just to our sister nation to take this bill than it would have been to en- force mine. There was one provision of my bill that I liked very well, and that was that they should adopt our labor laws and Chinese-exclusion laws; but in looking over the statistics of the people who have immigrated into Cuba I have noticed that the number of Chinese cuts no figure. I do not re- member the exact number of them now, but I think it is about fifty in a year. It cuts no figure whatever, and I am reconciled to the opinion that I was overzealous in putting that clause into the bill which I had the honor to report from the committee two years ago. There is no danger of an inunda- tion from Asia into Cuba to supply cheap labor there, and if it comes, under the duty that remains after this treaty becomes effective, there is ample protection for the industries of the United States. East Windsor Hill Dennis Hickey died at the Hartford Hospital, as a result of injuries received a week previous from being run into by a trolley car near his home. Hickey was asleep on the track and the scraper of the car crushed his foot and leg badly. The leg was am- putated but the patient failed to with stand the shock. The deceased was 36 years old and was a native of Saratoga, N. Y. He was a tobacco sorter and farmer by occupation. He leaves no immediate relatives except his wife. Sunderland Improvements in Sunderland in the building line during the past year in- clude: A tobacco shed built on the south plain by Elisha M. Hubbard at a cost of $700, and a shed near his resi- dence for 1100. Cephas A. Graves has put up a $75 addition to a tobacco shed; and Ebenezer F. Wiley has ex- pended $350 in the same way and John Mitchell, $150. Sanded Floors A grower on the east side of the river says that he has this Fall come to appreciate the usefulness of a coat- ing of sand on the ground in his to- bacco shed. He fixed a couple of his sheds this way by drawing the sand at odd times in the summer and he be- lieves it is well worth the trouble merely for the sake of appearances. More than this, he has an idea that a clean sanded floor tends to discourage pole sweat or the development oj mould. WANT ADVERTISEMENTS. Advertisements under this head cost oae cent a word each time; no advertisement taken for less than twentj- cents; cash or stamps must accompany orders; which should be re- ceived by the 25th of the month. WANTED— Ten different tobacco growers to use my hard wood ashes and write the re- sults in this journal. Ashes at wholesale prices to the first ten. Georg-e Stevens, Peter- "boro. Out., Canada. WANTED TO PURCHASE— Used tenting- cloth in any quantity ; hiphest prices paid; stale wrifi-ht oryardag-e. Papek Stock, Draw- er 42. Hartford, Connecticut. FOR SALE— In Easthampton, Mass., a farm of 43 acres, pood house and barn, will keep 12 cows and has gfood milk route. Finely located, a mile from churches, schools and cars. Ad- dress E. L. AUyn, Westhampton, Mass. WANTED— About 12 second-hand window sash; also window frames; will also buy second- hand matched stuflf and flooring- boards. Wil- liams, care The New England Tobacco Grower Hartford. Don't btix your TOBACCO TMTINE, TOBACCO PAPER or T^VINE FOR SEVriNG TENTING CLOTH before calling on E.TUCKER'S SONS. lOO Trtimbull street. Hartford, - - Connecticut The Dandy Windmill tanks and towers are the best in the world. We carry a full line of these mills, pumps and tanks at Springfield, and are in position to put up a complete outfit of any size. If you are thinking of buy- ing a windmill, be sure to write to us for catalogues, prices and full infor- mation. We are sole agents for the State of Connecticut for the Challenge line. THE AGRICULTURAL STORE, (b. l. bragg co.) Springfield - - Massachusetts JENKINS & BARKER, Snccessors to Col. Cbarles L. Bnrdett. Patent and Trade Mark Causes. Solicitors of United States and Foreign Pat- ents, Desitf as and Trade Marks. FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, 50 State Street, - Hartford, Connectlcot THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER tJ f^[ THE HILL Matwifacttired by the Hillman Tobacco Curer Company, NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Patented April 1st, 1Q02. It g-overns the atmosplieric conditions, prevents sudden changes and dispels dampness, tl^ereby producing a lighter colored crop. It creates a circulation evenly through the shed. The air may be Ideated if required to wilt or dry. It can readily be seen that no grower of tobacco can af- ford to be ■without one, the machine will pay for itself several times the first year, if a bad year. A machine has been in constant use since purchased bv The U. S. Sumatra Syndicate, at Windsor Locks, Conn., with the best of results Hmadleat which was cut the last week in September was nearly cured within a month and turned out mostly light wrappers. Over 60 acres of Sumatra als 1 has been cnrcd by this machine. The greatest advantage derived by its use is the productinn of light wrappers. Send to us for a list of those who can tell you what it will do. We are now taking orders for future delivery. Hillman Tobacco Curer Company, NORTHAMPTON, MASS. iiffiJE^O^E^Ec^O^aSsES 12 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Committee's Report Ways and Means Committee's Keasons for R.atification of Cuban Treaty. gEPORTING to the House of Representatives the bill to carry into effect the Cuban reciprocity treaty, Chairman Sereno E. Payne on Novem- ber 13, submitted the follov?- ing argument: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 1931) to carry into effect a convention between the United States and the Re- public of Cuba, signed on the 11th day of December, in the year 1903, having had the same under consideration, re- port the same -back with a recommen- dation that the bill pass. The enactment of this bill into law is necessary to give effect to the con- vention providing for reciprocal trade between this country and Cuba. This results not merely because the conven- tion itself provides that it "shall not take effect until the same shall have been approved b)' the Congress, ' ' but because the Constitution gives no power to the President and the Senate to make a convention or treaty chang- ing the rates of revenue. That power is expressly lodged in the Congress (sec. 8, Article I of the Constitution). Sec- tion 7 of the same article provides that "all bills for raising revenue shall orig- inate in the House of Representatives." It is not intended here to cite authori- ties or advance reasons on this propo- sition. The records of Congress abound with unrefuted arguments on the affirmative of this contention, and the practice of ('ongress has been uni- formly m the same direction. The reciprocity treaties with Great Britain in reference to our trade relations with Canada and with Hawaii were, by their terms, each dependent upon the pas- sage by the Congress of appropriate legislation reducing the duties and making provision for the carrying into effect of their terms. Every treaty re- quiring the payment of money, from the Jay treaty to the treaty of Paris (with Spain), has been referred to the Congress to make the necessary appro- priation of money. Foreign countries in making treaties with us are bound to take notice of this requirement of our Constitution, and, whether it is expressed in the treaty or not, the whole matter is subject to the necessary legislation by the Congress. The convention to which this bill refers is by its terms not to "take effect until the same shall have been approved by the Congress." If, in the judgment of Congress, the terms of the treaty are to become the law of the land it is, necessary, both by the terms of the convention and by force of the express requirement of the Con- stitution, that Congress pass the requfsite legislation authorizing the chaage in our revenue laws. To render the convention valid it is necessary to enact into law^the lan- guage of the proviso of Article VIII, "and no sugar, the product of any other foreign country, shall be admitted b}' treaty or ccmvention into the United States while this convention is in force at a lower rate of duty than"that pro- vided by the tariff act of the United States approved July 24. 1897." To enact these words into law would be to admit, by implication, that duties could be lowered by treaty or conven- tion. Your committee can not con- sent to this proposition, nor is it be- lieved that such an admission would be sanctioned by any Member of the House. The bill, therefore, "adds ."the following saving clause at the conclu- sion of this proviso: ^'Awl proriilrd fuithfi: That nothing herein contained shall be held or con- strued as an admission on the part of the House of Representatives that cus- toms duties can be changed otherwise than by an act of Congress originating in said House. ' This proviso, in the judgment of your committee, preserves the conten- tion of the House as to its rights and perogatives under the Constitution. Legislation upon this subject was very properly initiated in the House at the first session of the Fift3'-seventh Congress. A bill was introduced early in the session "to provide for recipro- cal trade relations with Cuba. " That bill authorized the President to make a commercial agreement with Cuba, in most of its essentials identical with this convention now proposed. That bill was reported by this committee March 31, 1903, and finally passed the House with amendments April 19, 1902. The bill failed in the Senate, but the Executive took up the negotia- tions which have resulted in this con- vention, which was ratified by the Sen- ate in March last. This subject was first brought to the attention of Congress by the Presi- dent in his message at the beginning of the first session of the Fifty-seventh Congress. He said: "Elsewhere I have discussed the question of reciprocity In the case of Cuba, however, there are weight}' reasons of morality and of national in- terest why the polic)- should be held to have a peculiar application, and I most earnestly ask your attention to the wisdom -indeed, to the vital need — of providing for a substantial reduc- tion in the tariff duties on Cuban im- ports into the United States. Cuba has in her constitution aflBrmed what we desired — that she should stand, in international matters, in closer and more friendly relations with us than with any other power; and we are boimd by every consideration of honor and expediency to pass commercial measures in the interest of her material well-being. ' ' These words were re-enforced by the Secretary of War in his rei;>ort, as fol- lows: "Aside from the moral obligation to which we committed ourselves when we drove Spain out of Cuba, and aside from the ordinary considerations of commercial advantage involved in a reciprocity treaty, there are the weigh- tiest reasons of American public policy , pointing in the same direction; The condition of the sugar and tobacco in- dustries in Cuba is already such that the earliest possible actionby Congress upon this subject is desirable." The President has deemed the sub- ject of sufficient importance to con- vene an extraordinary session of Con- gress in order that the convention may become effective before the commence- ment of the harvest of the new sugar crop in December. In his message .to the present Congress he forciblj' states «* ADS. THAT PAY are those that reach just the class of peo- ple to whom you want to sell your goods. If you want to do business with the to- bacco growers of New England, the adver- tising medium to use is The New Eng- LAND Tobacco Grower. Intelligent adver- tising- in The New England Tobacco Grower makes good customers. It brings not merely a tran- s i e n t trade, but steady business, for the tobacco growing industry is such tliat the grower finds himself in need of new equipment and new supplies at every season of the year. ^/>e NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GRO>VER., Hartford) Connecticut. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 13 Essex Tobacco Specials and Special Manures for all Crops 'T* HE manufacturers of the Essex High Cracfe Fertilizers would re- ^_ I spectfully invite the attention of all who are interested in farming to ^^^> inspect the crops grown in the Connecticut and Housatonic Valleys, that are raised wholly or partly on their high grade manures. Although the season has been irregular as to weather conditions- we have received the most flattering reports from our customers showing that to succeed in all seasons you must use Essex Manures. Give us your orders for Fine Ground Bone and for our Grass Manure when you are seeding down in the fall. There are no better in the market. RUvSvSIA CEMENT CO., Gloucester, Mass. E. B. KIBBE, General Agent, Box 752, Hartford, Conn. his reasons for the passage of this legis- lation: ' 'The treaty submitted to you for approval secures to the United Stajes economic advantages as great as those given to Cuba. Not an American in- terest is sacrificed. By the treaty a large Cuban market is secured to our pioducers. It is a market whicn lies at our doors, which is already large, which is capable of great expansion, and which is especially important to the development of our export trade. It would be indeed short-sighted for us to refuse to take advantage of such an opportunity and to force Cuba into making arrangements with other countries to our disadvantage. This reciprocity treaty stands by itself. It is demanded on considerations of broad national policy as well as by our economic interest. It will do harm to no industry. It will bene- fit many industries. It is in the in- terest of our people as a whole, both because of its importance from the broad standpoint of international policy and because economicallj' it intimately concerns us to develop and secure the rich Cuban market for or farmers, artisans, merchants, and manufactur- ers. Finally, it is desirable as a guaranty of the good faith of our nation toward her young sister Repub- lic to the south, whose welfare must ever be closely bound with ours. We gave her liberty. We are knit to her by the memories of the blood and the courage of our soldiers who fought for her in war; by the memories of the wisdom and integrity of our adminis- trators who served her in peace and who started her so well on the difBcult path of self-government. We must help her onward and upward; and in helping her we shall help ourselves. "The foregoing considerations caused the negotiation of the treaty with Cuba and its ratification by the Senate. They now with equal force support the legislation by the Congress which by the terms of the treaty is necessary to render it operative. A failure to enact such legislation would come perilously near a repudation of the pledged faith of the nation." This legislation will result in no harm to any American industry. Articles the product of this country like the articles embraced in this con- vention now imported from Cuba re- ceive the verj' highest protection of any in the same schedule. The duty on sugar was placed above the protec- tive point for the purpose of revenue. The House tariff bill provided ex- pressly for a reduction in the interests of reciprocal trade agreement, which it authorized the President to make. The duty on tobacco has for years been much higher than any necessity re- quired on account of the competition of Cuban tobacco. The reduction in this bill leaves it amply protected. The present rate was intended primar- ily for protection against the Sumatra leaf, one pound of which, for wrapper purposes, will go nearly as far as four pounds of any other tobacoo. The re- duction of duty in this bill will injure no American industry. On the other hand, we can but make great gains in our export trade to Cuba. On account of the depression caused by the low price of sugar, al- though six or seven thousand men were employed in railroad building and there were large importations of railroad material and equipment dur- ing the year. Cuban imports have fallen off from an average of more than 166,000,000 in the preceeding three years to about .160,000,000 in 1902. Of these imports we furnish less than 42 per cent. We should furnish at least 80 jier cent. Under the preferen- tial tariff' rate provided in the conven- tion we ought in a short time to supply practically the Cuban market. We produce everything she needs and buys. We shall have an advantage of from 25 to 40 per cent, discount on tariff rates on ai tides with which we do not new supply her people. This legislation will certainly tend to bring prosperity to Cuba, and our imports must increase and our market broaden. Our trade will advance from year to year, as it did under the former period of recipro- cal agreement (1891-1894) inaugurated under the McKinley Act. This legis- ation will bring ricu results both to Cuba and to the United States, and will flttinglj' complete one of the proudest chapters in our history, which chronicles the sacrifices of a great na- tion for an oppressed and distressed people at our very door. 14 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Sutter Brothers Fail Large Leaf Tobacco House Goes Into tWe Hands of Receivers THE failure of Sutter Brothers, Inc. . leaf tobacco dealers, located at 15? Lake street, Chicago, which occurred on No-vember 9th, is the largest failure in the tobacco trade in years. As a result of it a number of firms have suspended, and others are in the balance. The firm went through bankruptcy proceedings about twenty years ago. but managed to pull through and con- tinued business. In 1^08 the business was incorporated, with a capital stock of |9U0,000, and soon became one of the most important leaf tobacco houses in the United States. The business done by the firm amounted to more than !|'2, 000,000 per annum, and the successful operation of a business of such magnitude required a favorable condition in the money market, particularly as the firm had been carrying a heavy debt incurred in operations in Ohio tobacco sevei'al years ago. Much of the indebtedness of the firm is owing to banking institutions in Chicago and the East. Several of the larger failures which were caused directly by the failure of Sutter Brothers were a result of the giving of accommodation notes.' The members of the firm (!laim that the fight waged by them against the American Tobacco Company was largely responsible for their trouble. Sutter Brothers were the support and mainstay of many of the independent cigar manufacturers, both in the clear Havana and domestic fields. Branches of the house were located at Amster- dam, Holland, Havana, New York, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Dayton, Ohio, besides large warehouses at East Hart- ford, Hatfield, and also at Madison, Soldier's Grove, Cambridge and Janes- ville. Wis. An extensive tobacco plantation was also operated at Delavan, Wis., for the firm's own trade. The liabilities of the firm are variously stated to be from $1,. '500,000 to $'2,000,000, and the assets about $2,000,000. There is some doubt as to the amount of the assets. The mem- bers of the firm, however, are sanguine ol making arrangements with their creditors which will enable them to relieve the receivers before a great while, and again take over the business in their own hands. Meanwhile the business will continue uninterruptedly under the receivers. The bankruptcy proceedings are in involuntary form, for the reason that a corporation cannot file a voluntary petition under the regulations of the THE USE OF AN Underwood bankruptcy law. But that it was with the full consent of the company is shown by the fact that the petition was filed by three of the brothers of the firm. The receivers of the firm are William C. Ni black and Eugene C. Pearson. As a direct consequence of the fail- ure of Sutter Brothers, a number of other films have been forced to sus- pend, and many have been thrown in- to difBculties. Banks i-i New York and Chicago are using great conservatism in loaning money to members of the trade in those two cities. Crump Brothers, of Chicago, were among the victims of the failure. They are prominent leaf dealers, and were very close to the larger firm. The assets are reported ti be about fl.50.000 and liabilities about |22o.000. The firm is composed of Lawrence M. and William R. H. Crump. Among the heavy creditors of this firm are Hinsdale Smith & Company of Spring- field, fur about |90,000. and L. Schmid & Company, of New York. E. J. Mast & Company. New Y'ork, clear Havana cigar makers, is another firm involved. Nearly all of the liabilities of this firm are due to Sutter Brothers, they being practically carried by the latter. They were three years old, and also operated two retail stores in Brooklyn. Ambrose (t. Todd, .i.5 Liberty street is assignee. The Max Schatz Company, New York, also clear Havana cigar manu- facturers, were carried down in the crash. Like the firm last mentioned it was also practically a creation of Sutter Brothers, and nearly all the liabilities of the firm were due to the latter. TUey amount to about |100.- 000, with assets as yet unknown. Mr. Thomas, of 20 Liberty street, was ap- pointed receiver. Manuel Lopez & Company, of New York, clear Havana cigar manufac- turers, have also sent to their creditors a circular letter asking for a meeting to extend time on their debts. This is caused by accommodation paper in- dorsed for Sutter Brothers. The firm believe they can pay dollar for dollar, and claim there is no need for alarm. Among others in difficulties as a re- sult of the failure are Randall & Land- field, cigar manufacturers, at 14 South Water street, Chicago, who place their liabilities at .|40,5;^7 and assets at $40,- 131; La Buta Cigar Company.of York, Pa., is indebted to Sutter Brothers in the sum of $2.5.000. A petition in bankruptcy was filed, with assets about $14,000 and liabilities $7H,000; the Miami Cigar Company, of Dayton, Ohio, owes Sutter Brothers $3,800, and went into the hands of a receiver. The Savings and Trust Company, of Dayton, were appointed receivers. Typewriter will increase your business. Rent one for a month and watch the result. Underwood Typewriter Company, r55-75r Main Street, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. STUDIO 103Q MAIN ST.. HAR.TFOR.D Leading Artist ii\ Photography and General Portraiture. Our photoijraplis are not "shade" (rrown but are made with the clearness and e.xact likeness that win for us permanent customers. We are after your pholoijraphic trade Studio, toso Main St., Opposite Morgan St. Advertising As a Specialty. Skill in advertising comes with training and experience, the same as skill in any other line of business. Advertising is our specialty: good advertising, the advertising that pays. We make it pay; our clients are frank to admit that. Let us refer you to some of them: or, better yet, let us talk with yon about your own particular advertising problem. jotmsionc nflvertisiog Hgency, (INCORPORATED ) Hartford Fire Insurapce Building, Hartford, ^ Connecticut. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER J 5 LUTHER M. CASE., WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, Packer and Dealer In Connecticut Leaf Tobacco. Shade Grown j^j^ Sumatra in Bales. Main Warehouse and Office, Pine Meadow, Conn. BRJtMCH WAREHOUSES: Southwick, Mass.,— Fcireman, H. L- Miller. East Canaan, Conn.,— Foreman, L- F. Bronson Barkhanisled, Conn.,— Foreman, L. A. T^ee. North Hatfield, Mass.,— Foreman, Willis Holden. New Hartford, Conn .,— Foreman. James Stewart. SUMATRA PLANTATIONS: Pine Meadow, Conn., 25 Acres Barkhamsted, Conn., 20 Acres Southwick, Mass., 15 Acres Always in the market for old Tobacco if well assorted and packed, jt Havana Seed Wrap- pers a specialty, assorted and sized into thirty-two grades f^mmfmmKmmmmmmm^ wm fm mm Shade'Croivn Sates C. D. Jones has returned to Phila- delphia from a stay of several weeks in Ohio where he secured several large lots of tobacco to sell and was very successfvil in introducing use of Con- necticut shade-grown Sumatra into large factories, the prospect of saving between $3 and $'i on each thousand cigars having much influence with manufacturers. Mr. Jones states that over half of the 1903 Ohio crop is already sold, much of it having found purchasers while in the field and much more while hanging in the shed. For Zim- mer as high as 9 J.^ cents a pound has been paid, although the general price has been 8 cents. Gebhart has sold at 6 and 7 cents. — Philadelphia To- bacco World. Chicigo. — There continues to be a good demand for Connecticut shade- grown, for Florida and Wisconsin leaf, all of which grades in the better qualities, command a satisfactory price. — United States Tobacco Journal. Short Sumatra Supply I have instructed my salesmen not to send in any offers on certain color marks of Sumatra which are becoming ecarce in this market. They must maintain prices. There is only one more sale to take place in Holland, and but little can be expected from it in the way of desirable goods for Amer- ica. Beports from Europe show that the Sumatra tobacco-growing com- panies are not having a rosy time of it, and what with the concerns going to retire from business, and the curtail- ment of acreage on the part of others, it looks as though the quantity of to bacco grown will become less and less. My uncle recently received a letter from a gentleman in Amsterdam who is prominently identified with the Sumatra tobacco industry, in which he draws a gloomy picture of the future or East Indian tobacco. While I think his views were entirely too pe.ssimistic, the way quotations for the stock of the dittVrent Sumatra companies have been steadily dropping, shows that the pros- pects for the future are not so bright as they might be. If we can believe the reports emanating from tne other side, the crop to be marketed next year will be from fifty to sixty thous- and bales less than in 1903. — New York Tobacco Leaf. Jt British .Argument British papers contain the following advertisement, calling for the smoking of a "durable" cigar of home produc- tion in opposition to the quality offered by foreign manufacturers: WANTED, Britons to be patriotic and support British capital. Try our rich dark mottled Kangaroo Brand (Australian leaf) at 3s. 5d. per lb., net cash; guaranteed the best quality, and most durable smoke on the market. — Stephenson & Martin, Makers. Hull, Cotton Hull Jtshes Occasional offerings of small lots of cotton hull ashes are being made to New England growers by Southern firms handling cotton seed producst. and while this material can not be said to be again upon the public market, it is possible for the tobacco grower who is set on using hull ashes to get them if he looks around and does not want too large a quantity. Prices and percentages of potash vary greatly. Quotations run from 39 to $43 a ton. PATENTS OBTAINED For Information, write to Ralph Sturtevant Warfield, SOO H St., y. W., Washington, D. C. IT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW: The best place in Hartford to buy Jew- elry, to buy a watch, to have a watch repaired. It's over on Pearl street, just a little way from Maio. GEORGE W. BALL, Diamond Broker and Jeweler, 65 PEARL ST., HARTFORD, CONN. 16 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER ^ i^' ^ WILLIAM FIRTH, President. FRANK B. COMINS, Treasurer THE AMERICAN MOISTENING COMPANY , Received the HIGHEST AWARD on recommendation of the Franklin Institute for '^Simplicity and Originality of Design" > Is the largest manufacturer of HUMIDIFIERS in the world, the last t .ventv years receivinfj the Highest Awards in this country and Europe for its AIR-MOISTENING SYSTEM. ' A NATURAL CONDITION FOR HANDLING LEAF OR OTHER TOBACCO MAY BE MAINTAINED BY OUR SYSTEM OF air-moiste:ning ^ ANY PERCENTAGE OF MOISTURE CAN BE PRODUCED The following letter will suggest the value of our AIR-MOISTENING System in handling SHADE- GROWN SUMATRA TOBACCO : OFFICE OF OLDS & WHIPPLE, Hartford, Conn., January 9th, la03. American Moistening Company, 150 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mas.s. Gentlemen: — Your system of humidification which we have recently installed in our tobacco warehouse is giving perfect satisfaction, we being able to make any atmospheric condition desired in our assorting room, thus obtaining perfect conditions for the curing and assorting of tobacco, especially in the curing and assorting of our shade-grown Su- matra tobacco, which tobacco is of very fine texture and requires a considerable degree of humidity in handling. The old system of evaporation pans or admitting steam into a barrel of water was very unsatisfactory; we not only had trouble in obtaining the moisture required, but in doing so, raised the temperature altogether too high for the proper handling of the tobacco (6^ Your system not only gives tne proper degree of humidity at all timejp, but in a large o V-' measure is a regulator for the temperature as well. We are glad to be the users of the first system put in for this purpose, and as it be- comes better known in the tobacco trade, you will undoubtedly be called upon to equip all the first-class warehouses. We should be glad to show this system in operation to v!3 any of the trade that may be interested. Yours tiuly, (Signed) OLDS & WHIPPLE. American Moistening- Company 150 DEVONSHIRE STREET. BOSTON, MASS. J. S. COTHRAN, Southern Representative, Empire BIdg., Atlanta, Ga. Write for Booklet "E" on Humidification. tHi ^Ae New England Tobacco Grower VOL. IV. No. 5. HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, JANUARY, J 904 $1.00 A YEAR Views on Seed-Bed Plans and Management Westfield There is an increase in the amount of glass used for seed-beds. As a rule about one-quarter of length of beds re- quired are covered with glass and the balance with cloth. However, plants raised under cloth are more hardy than those raised under glass. The per cent, of saving in resetting is, I think, in favor of cloth raised plants. I know of only one hot water heating plant for 8eed-bed.s. Plants that are ready on or before May 20. and that is full early enough in this section, can be grown under cloth and are so grown each year by several growers. Those under glass are about a week or even ten days earlier. Lanterns are used by some to furnish artificial heat. The Deitz No 3 Burn- er is the one most used. Oil stoves are so very susceptible to draughts, smoking in consequence, that they are not only unsafe but impracticable. I have tried both ways. Manure hot-beds are used by a few growers, and as a rule produce the earliest plants. My method of fertil- izing tobacco beds is as follows: Dig out the earth to a depth of six or seven inches, put in four inches of half rotted horse manure, put on three inches of dirt, rake in 75 ijounds of cotton seed ts 100 feet of bed, in the fall; as soon as possible in the Spring, rake in 35 pounds of tobacco starter; do this at least a week before sowing seed or sprouts. No one in town has earlier plants than the writer. A southern exposure is a necessity, and if you can conven- iently have a fence to break the wind, I consider it a good plan. But the main point is a well-oiled, tight-fitting (.•over. I have never tried soaking the seeds in water before sowing. Sprout- ing in warm, damp apple-ti'ee punk is a good and successful way of doing. K. A. D. Hatfield Almost every grower here uses glass seed-beds. I think very little of cloth for growing plants. We plant 30 acre.s and most of the plants are grown under glass. We commence setting about May 30, and mean to fini'^h June 5th. No steam, hot water or oil stoves are used in this vicinity, and no manure hot-beds. In fertilizing seed-beds, we put on a well balanced fertilizer at the rate of 3,000 pounds to the acre in the fall, preferring to do this rather than in the spring, on account of fertilizer burning the soil. When we make the beds we sow on a coat of some good brand of to- bacco starter. We don't like to use manure on account of weed seed and angleworms, but do manure once in two or three years with well rotted horse manure. If we don't do it, soil gets packed hard and plants do not root well. We always sprout half of the seed. There is very little doing in the way of buying tobacco, (juite a little was taken down December 13, but very few have entire crops in bundle ready for buyers. We have about 35 cases assorted and about five acres hanging. Crop is light in weight, but light in color, and on the whole a useful one for manufacture Windsor Locks There has been no increase in the amount of glass used in making seed beds in this town. There is no steam or hot water heating, except what is used by the U. S. Sumatra Com- pany. They use steam and get plants ten days sooner. In this section plants are raised under cloth (oiled) and are ready for transplanting from fifteenth to twentieth of May. Where glass is used plants are from four to six days earlier, but they re- quire a great deal more care. When the sun shines the glass h^js to be raised to keep the plants from burning. Some tobacco growers use lanterns, putting them about ten feet apait, when tem- perature requires it. The common barn lantern is used. I tried a small oil stove and found that it would not work ; there is too much draught, it would either smoke or the draught would put it out; it finally explodedt In this locality, manure hot bed. have been tried with good results, s think it needs manure and fertilizer also. Dry ground fish is ploughed un- der in the fall, and in the spring it is ploughea up and seed sown. After the plants are about the size of a dime they are fertilized with a slight sprinkling of Swift's Sure, thoroughly washed oflE the plants; this is repeated every few days. In this locality plants are raised in beds in the open field with good re- sults, without wind breakers or shelter of buildings. An ordinary season the southern slope would be the better. I have tried soaking the seeds a few hours in water and have sprouted it in the usual way; from both good results have been obtained. About one-half of the tobacco has been taken down, strip- ped and put in bundles. There have been three crops sold of 1903, but none of them delivered. The price was from twenty to twenty-two cents. L, C. Seymour. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Hot-Bed Motes Frames suuk 18 inches iiito the gioimd are safer from froot and more ■•economical of heat than surface beds. ■^Frames cleaned from last season's manure and earth in fall, and then covered to exclude snow are savers of time and temper in spring. Compost or earth, gathered in fall and kept from hard frost or soaking rains, is handier to get at and better , for seed gei'miuation than if dugout J -with a pick and thrown frozen into the ■'beds. '■' Manure thrown on piles to engender heat is better and wastes less if the 'piles are under cover. It is easier to icool down than heat up the mass if you are in a hurry to get in the seed. Mats of straw or burlap are best ■prepared now and gotten in readiness -A. straw mat five feet wide is nioi-e durable thatt - one of six feet. At all events, make the center row of twine extra tight, as there is where mats give way first. Dp not put too great depth of eartli on seedbed. Remember a greenhouse seed fiat is only two inches deep, so that four inches of earth in the liot bed are better for seed sowing than more depth of soil. Deerfield Over one-half of the tobacco crop is in the bundle, and the character of the crop is exceeding all expectations. There has been no pole sweat or dana- age of any kind. Only one grower in this town has tried to use steam lor taking down, "and it is undei-stood by the writer that this trial has been unsatisfactory. There have been no sales lately, on account of the dryness, the crops not being in condition to show. Those who have the best crops seem disposed to assort and pack. Among Hot-Bed Sash. Get our quotations on Hot-Bed Sash. We make them in standard sizes or in special sizes to suit the requirements of Tobacco Growers, and guarantee honest materials, the best of workmanship, and a good, serviceable sash. DOOR5. GLAZED WINDOAVS. BLINDS. ■WINDOAV AND DOOB. FRAMES. CALIFORNIA REDWOOD DOORS A SPECIALTY. Cord for Sash and Ventilators. E. A* Carlisle and Pope Co,, Successors to Le'bi Boles & Son, 2 Sudbury St., Cor. HaymarKet Sc(., Boston, Mass. these are: Charles H. Ashley, 13 acres; A. W. Ball, eight acres; and E. J. Everett, 15 acres. Experts pro- nounce the crop in this vicinity to be better than the average tor this year. East Hartford The 1903 crop of The International Tobacco Culture Corporation is being handled at the company's warehouse here under the direction of the manager, F. B. Griffin of Granby. The entire crop grown under cloth, 60 acres, has been taken down and brought here from North Bloomfield by team. Of the tobacco grown under cloth, Mr. Griffin is sizing and assorting the Cuban before it is bulked, and merely sizing the Sumatra before bulking, leaving the assorting of the Sumatra to be done after the tobacco is sweat, iir. Griffin has a native of Cuba here to assist him in the packing of the crop. Windsor A carload of tobacco bought in this neighborhood has been shipped from heie to C. K. Hale of Gildersleeve. FOR SALE. BOILERS AND ENGINES. Second Hand 35 horse power horizoutal tubular Steam Boiler all complete except steam fittings $70. 1 6-inch Ericsson hot air engine S45 ; 18-inch S65 ; 1 6-inch Rider hot air engine $95; one No. 5 Scollav Boiler good condition $50 ; and one No. 5 'Weathered $50. QREENMOUSE SUPPLIES. New guaranteed black pipe full lengths at 9,!'2cents foot. Second hand pipe as follows : 2 inch, ?>< ; IJa inch, Sj+ cents ; 1'4 inch, 4!2 cents; 1 inch, 3J2 cents; '^ inch, 3 cents; Second hand pipe cutters, -$150; No. 1 stock and dies. $4 ; No. 2 at $5 ; New guaranteed Hose, ;^ inch, will send 150 water pressure, 7}i cents foot. Not guaranteed, at 4*4 cents. Job lot of old fire hose in good condition. New Hot-Bed and Greenhouse glass 6x8-7x9-8x10, -52.40 Box. 6x8-8x10 double glass at $2.75 ; 16x24 double flass at $3.50 Box. HOT=BED SASH complete from $1.50 UP. Send for catalogue. WE FURNISH EVERYTHING FOR BUILDING. Metropolitan Material Company, S. JJtCOBS <$■ SONS, Proprietors, 1365 to 1373 Flashing Mvenue, BROOKLYN, N. Y. Mew York Office Taussig & Company of Chicago and Quincy aie opening an office at 129 Maiden Lane, New York, for the sale of their Florida shade-grown Sumatra. Fred Newmann will have charge of the branch. Andrews & Peck^ MANUFACTURERS, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Doors, Windo'ws and Blinds. Manufacturers' Agents for Akron Sewer Pipe and Land Tile. We make a specialty of hotbed sash. Ofrice, S8 MarKet Street, Mill: Charter Oak and Vrcdcndalc Avenues, HARTFORD. CONN. SLEEP SOUND. If vou have Dielz" O. K. Tubular Lan- terns in your seed-bed. no need to worry about the f.illinff ther- niomeier; your tobacco plants simply cannot be frost-bitten, and lhe> 're safe from any chance of beiuy sniciUe K-iUed.— Dielz Lanterns do not sninke. See that your dealer shows you the Dielz Lanterns, atwl don't accept .1 substitute ; you can't afford to use an unsatis- factory lan- tern in your seed beds, fur too much isat stake. Notice Ui.- Mltini: device on the Dietz O. K.; yon need never remove the trlobe to light, trim or extinguish. R. E. DIETZ COMPANY Greenwich, corner Laight Street, NEW YORK CITY. ESTABLISHED 18-W '^he New Cng'land Tobacco Grower HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, JANUARY, I904 Taking Down the Crop Stripping and Bundling tHe 1903 Tobacco Scarcity of Damps Hatfield Ahiiut one half nt' the crop is iu the bundle in the south part uf the town. In the north and west parts the tobacL-o is neaily all down. Most uf those iu the north part used steam, but in the south end only two men used ic. Most of theiu claim to be satisfied with steam. I hnve never used it and am therefore unable to .judge re- garding its use. My own crop of eighteen acres was all strijped and in the bundle the twelfth of October. I began stripping the eleventh of Sep- tember, i shall have it all cased the tirst of January. The weight is about two hundred and fifty pounds lighter than the aver age crop. The quality appears to be the average. I always pack my own crop. I have never sold in the bundle iu forty years of raising There has not been any sales of late. Several crojjs were sold around the first of November, at from twelve to tifteju cents in the bundle. The total acreage sold was ab ut two hundred in all parts of the town. 1 he names of growers would make quite a list, as one-half of tlie sales were of small crops. The names of the bu3'ers are: Lewis Peters of Detroit, Elias Bock & Son of New York, Hinsdale Smith & Co. of Springfield, Joseph Meyers & Sou of New York, The American Tobacco Co., L. M. Case of Winsted, Conn., G. G. Green Leaf Tobacco Co. Levi Pease packs for a Philadelphia house. All of these jjarties have packing plants in the towns and most of them have bought a few crops. The growers who usually assort their crops will do so this year. Those liv- ing in district No. 1 usually grow- about one thousand cases, most of which is packed b3' growers. I do not know of one lot of old to- bacco not sold, something I never re- member before at this time of the year. C. L. Warner. Warehouse Point L. L. Grotta has been looking up old tobacco for some of his customers. East Windsor Hill There is only a small part of the whole ci-op stripped. There have been no sales of late. There are no indica- tions of shed damage in the 10();i croji. It has cured well with light color and very sound. All of the warehouses have commenced work in East Windsor and quite a number of hands are em- ployed. While the demand for Broad - leaf may lead to some extra plantings in that varitey, still there will prob- ably be a large amount of Havana ilrawn. The farmers in East Windsor generally fertilize their crops of to- bacco well. From |75 to IIOO per acre are generally expended for fer tilizer. There was a good deal of to- bacco land ploughe.1 this fall and con- siderable quantity of manure turned under. Very little rye has been sowed on tobacco land. J. B. Noble. Hillstoivn Before the damp of Deceml)er •.30. about one-half the crop bad been taken down. This damp enabled tire growers to take down considerable more of thr: leaf. It did not dampen enough in the ridge to clear the sheds. The leaf comes out in fine shape. No .steam was used in this section. No additional sales have been re- ported. A« yet none of the groweis have decided to assort and pack. There are two lots of 1902 Havana in town. Emerson Strong and Charles Hills have small lots of three or four acres each. J. H. Bkewer. Feeding Hills Not more than one-third or one half of the crop has been taken from the poles. No steam has been used to dampen the tobacco, except in one building on the Smith farm. This was done because they were in a hurry to remodel the building into a ware- house. The weather was so cold and windy that steaming was not satisfac- tory and they bad hard work to get the tobacco into shape to take down. It is reported that they are to assort and pack quite a quantity of tobacco there this winter. About thirty acres are raised on the Roach place. They usually assort and pack their crop and expect to do so this year. This is the only 1902 tobacco in the grower'.? hands. J. H. C. West Suffield About one-third of the crop is in the bundle. The Bis.sell Syndicate has used steam extensively in taking down tobacco. Great care should now be exercised not to take down dripping tobacco, as it is apt to cause stain and possibly canker, which, when once started will go through the whole bundle. No sales are being made at present. Chas. Holcomb has his entire crop of 1~) acres stripped and in the bundle. There is no 19 )2 tobacco in this lo- cality. Westfield. This way the damp of Sunday, De- ceu'ber 20, enabled most of the grow- ers to take down fully two-thirds of their crop. Coming as it did on the first day of the week it interfered with the usual routine of some, and some seats in church were vacant. A few growers took their whole crop down, but as a rule caution was used, and the next damp will complete the task. As far as the writer has seen, a good, sound, light-colored crop is assured, and in most cases a fair judgment of the crop can be arrived at, as the stripping is going on as fast as possible. Warm rooms are a necessity m a tobacco shed or nearby buildings today as the northwest winds make it very"husky" and only warmth will make it come into condititm for bundling. No sales are reported. Hillside. Mew Fairfield, Nearly all of the tobacco, or a good part, is in the bundle. No steam has been used for stripping tobacco. Not one single crop of tobacco has been sold this season. Thus tar it is hard to determine how many fai'mers or tobacco raisers will as.sort tobacco, probably not many, if any fair offer is made. A. A. Brush has IT cases of 1903 to- bacco on hand, six cases of light and medium wrappers, six cases of good oinders and five cases of fillers. Noiris Hatch has 10 cases of 1903 tobacco, four cases of wrappers, three each of binders and fillers. This is ail the 1903 tobacco iu this town as far as the writer knows. X. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Warehouse Moisture Irttrodiiction of Modern Ideas into tHe Solving of an Ijnportant Problem WAREHOUSING tobacco requires as one of the principal factors of success, the maintenance of a proper degree of humidity in the rooms in which the leaf is handled. Especi- ally important is this in the handling of tobacco intended for cigar leaf wrappers and binders, as in the assort- ing and sizing, the tobacco must be opened up, leaf by leaf, and passed about in cases and on tables, and un- less the atmosphere is kept moist the leaf becomes dry and brittle and easily breaks. And as the slightest break or tear in a wrapper leaf renders it less valuable or even useless for that pur- pose, it can be seen how important a problem is that of humidity in ware- houses. Nor is it merely a crude question of getting sufficient moisture. The methods that would do in a laundry or a paper mill are entirely out of place in the tobacco warehouse. Water ap- plied directly to the leaf will soften it readily enough, but the wetting of the tobacco injures its quality, removes its finish and tends to make the leaf darker, and therefore less desirable for wrapper. It is necessary, therefore, to keep the warehouse rooms damp, yet not too wet: warm and yet not too warm. The methods used in the past have been limited to the use of steam-pans or the introduction of steam from the boiler, either directly into the room or through the medium of a barrel of water, into which the open steam pipe was directed. Floors have been kept wet down, the walls sprayed, and a sloppy condition generally maintained, but as long as the source of moisture has been steam, there has always been an unsatisfactory condition of things in the tobacco warehouse. With steam- pans and steam barrels it has been a slow matter to get the room damp enough to begin work in the morning, and by the time the desired degree of humidity has been reached, the tem- perature has gone away above the com- fortable mark, and must be reduced for the saue of the employees. When it is reduced it is at the expense of the humidity, and again the process of get- ting up steam and fog must be re- sumed, so that at no time is the atmos- phere ]ust the desired condition, and the warehouse work is hampered and made bothersome and costly. There h is until within the past year, been no remedy successfully applied to these conditions. No matter how in- genious may have been the systems of pans and piping, and what attention may have hourly been given to the regulating of the steam pressure and distribution, the problem of warehouse moistening has remained unsolved un- til it was taken up by the American Moistening Company of Boston, and now the Humidifying systems in a number of the principal tobacco ware- houses in New England, that have been fitted out by that company, are evidence of the success of the new way. This new way is merely the adapta- tion of the humidifying systems in use in the handling of cottons and other textiles to the different conditions of the tobacco warehousing trade. The American Moistening Company holds the patents on the different forms of aii--moistening that have proved of practical value, and for years it has been meeting such problems and intro- ducing into the largest mills of the country the humidifying machinery re(juired in the many delicate processes met with in the manufacturing of tex- tiles. When the experts of the com- pany took up the subject of tobacco warehouses, they had bacJi of them the experiences of years in handling just such problems, and accordingly they have been altogether successful with this one. The first of the humidifying systems to be installed in a tobacco warehouse in this region was at the large ware- house of Olds & Whipple, corner Com- merce and Grove streets, Hartford, — a brick building having three floors de- voted to the handling of both shade- grown and sun tobaccos. This system was installed last season, and has proved very successful. The members of the firm of Olds & Whipple, as well as tae foreman of the warehouse, speak highly of the system, and it can be in- spected by all interested, being in daily operation. Not getting moisture by means of steam, the American Moistening Com- pany's system is not subject to the many disadvantages of the old method. The fog is obtained by the mechanical division of water into minute particles forming fog, and this is done by the maintenance of steady pressure in such a way as to require no attention what- ever for the holding of the atmospheie at a desired degree of humidity and temperature, being easier of adjust- ment and regulation than the mere ventilation of a room by ordinary means. In dift'erent parts ot the room, connected liy piping, are the moisture distributors, the number depending upon the size of a room. From these comes a fog of any desired density, this being regulated by tne pressure, and the water that is not sufficiently divided to become vapor flows back into the tank and is again sent on its rounds. Besides the one at Olds & Whipple's, the humidifyi-rg system of the Ameri- can Moistening Company has been in- stalled at the warehouses of The Inter- nntiiitril Tolncco Cnlturo Corporation at East Hartford and the West Side Sumatra Tobacco Growing Company on Blue Hills avenue, Hartford. It is also in operation in the principal ware- houses in the Quincy district of Florida, and because of its successful operation is attracting the attention of leaf tobacco men in all parts of the United States. Jlgawam Previous to the damp of December 30, very little tobacco had been taken from the poles. There have not been many sales. Mr. Cushman sold his seed leaf to Hirsch, for twenty-four and five, assorted. Frank Pomeroy has sold his 1903 crop for 30 cents. The 1903 leaf is very light weight. No steam or hot water are used in heating seed-beds. On cold nights. when there is danger of frost, the beds are warmed by lanterns, the Dietz be- ing almost universally used. There is no disposition in town to substitute glass for cloth. In the av- erage season plants obtained from cloth beds may be set out by May 30 or June 1. Manure is not used on seed-beds in this locality. In my opinion Swift's Sure is the best fertilizer to use. It is very important m locating a seed-bed to select a southern slope, or, if that is not possible, to have wooden wind- breaks or the shelter of buildings. E. S. F. Mapleton The weather has been so unfavorable for taking down tobacco that I think it safe to say that not one-half is in the bundle. A large quantity was taken down the last damp. No one in this part of the town has used steam, except the syndicate. From what I hear, it is giving satisfaction. No recent sales have been made. No growers, as yet, have decided to assort and pack. Halladay Brothers still have their 1901 and 1903 crops, about six acres in each. There have been two sales of 1903 quite recently, — A. Hinckley, five acres; and Arthur Sikes, about five acres. The price paid was about 30 cents. H. D. Tinker. South Deerfield The stock and tobacco barn of a Polish farmer, Steve Marten, on the Northampton road, was burned early in the morning of December 23. The fire destroyed a crop of tobacco in the bundle, hay and farming implements, the loss being estimated at 1 1,000 and covered by insurance. Tariffville Heavy shipments of shade-grown to- bacco are being made, and satisfactory prices are being obtained. As tobacco under cloth does not re- quire so long or so warm a damp to get into suitable condition as the outside tobacco, hung on the stalk, the shade- growers have been able to get down their crops much earlier than others, and the assorting and sweating is well under way. The experiment of assort- iiir! s'iKiib'-,4i-ovvn before sweating it has not been tried here. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Bowker's Tobacco Fertilizers have for over twenty years been producing the best and finest crops of tobacco in the Connecticut Valley, because they supply the plant food that is best for tobacco, and plenty of it to carry the crop through to maturity. Mr. B. N. Alderman, East Granby, Conn., says : " I am partial to the Bowker Tobacco Ash Fertilizer because it acts very quickly and also carries the crop through." Another grower writes: The Bowker g-oods also show the second year which is important in repeated use of the same ground." D/^-^X/P^ IT X> FERTILIZER COMPANY. MJ\J W IV ML, rX> BOSTON and NEW YORK. 220 State Street, Hartford, Conn. Riuer Street, Suffield The' greater part of the tobacco raised in this locality is in the bundle. While some of the growers have but a small percentage of the tobacco stripped, others have all their crops in the bundle. Three growers, Douglass, 11 acres. L. Woodworth, seven acres, and I. Woodworth, seven acres, have sold and delivered their tobacco to C. K. Hale of Portland. The price, I learn, was 20, 18 and 15 in the bundle. Tlie growers in this neighborhood are not inclined to assort if satisfactory prices are offered. The storm of December 20 dampened tobacco in some sheds enough for tak- ing down, while in others it failed to moisten sufficiently or the tobacco dripped and could not be taken down without staining it. No steam has been used for dampening in this street. James Reel has 20 cases of 1903 to- bacco, Havana seed, which is on the market. W. E. B. Portland The storm of December 20 enabled the growers to finish stripping their tobacco. One-third of the tobacco is in the buyers' hands and ca.sed. No arti- ficial heat was used in taking down the leaf as Portland farmers prefer to wait for stormy weather, rather than run the risk of having the buyers find fault with the crop because it is too wet or not wet enough. Becent sales reported are: Arthur Taylor, tour acres at 30 cents; S. D. Strickland, one acre at 13 cents; Chas. Larson, one acre at 13 cents: J. L. B. Covell, four acres at 18 cents; all to J. Lichtenstein & Co. F. W. Goodrich has concluded to assort and pack if he doesn't get his price. There is no 1 903 tobacco in town. Hot-bed Sash Indications point to a big business ill hot-bed sash this Spring, and those jjlanning to extend their beds, or to replace cloth with glass, should get their orders in early, as in ordering at the last moment there is always the chance that a few days of delay in the shipment, or on the cars, will postpone the planting of seed beyond the most desirable season. Andrews & Peck, of Market street, Hartford, who do a large business in hot-bed sash as well as in doors windows and sash, report business as good, with indications of a heavy in- crease in the glass area among the to- bacco growers this season. They have .supplied the sash for some of the larg- est seed-bed plants in the tobacco- growing region. Hatfield B. M. Warner's assorting shop is in operation. Buyers have shown more interest in the crop since the last damp, as quite a good deal of the 1903 tobacco is now in the bundle. The steam method of taking down to- bacco has been much discussed here. Springfield B. L. Bragg Company, at the Agri- cultural Store, Springfield, are increas- ing their stock of implements, wagons, tools, seeds, and all farming supplies, in anticipation of a big trade this Spring, as all the indications point tliat way with this firm. Being manufacturers' agents for the leading lines of windmills, engines, pumps, and machinery, as well as or- dinary farm implements, the company has a stock and equipment that gives it a great advantage in competition for trade throughout New England. Spreading Manure The manure spreader does the hard- est work on the farm, and does it well and economically. It is impossible for a man with a fork to break up manure into such fine particles as the manure spreader, and just as impossible for him to spread it so evenly on the ground. This is one of the things that is done far better by machine than by hand. Spreaders have been improved in the last few years, and those who tried some ot the early machines and were not much impressed with them, have only to try one of recent make in order to learn how effective an implement the manure spreader is. Stable ma- nure is too valuable and costly a material to be applied in any way but the best, and the best way means the use of a spreader. Naubuc. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER New York Market Certain Factors Affecting Trade -Demand for Connectictxt Wrappers — Sliade-Gro^vn OutlooK HERE have been several fac- tors contributinfi to dullness in the leaf market lately: tlie holiday season, the hesita- ,; tiou as to the effect of the Oiltban reciprocity treaty, and the ap- I tor taking mveu- "witli the govern - relating to cigar prijach of the time toi-y in accordance m.ent regulations manufacturing. Moreover, sellers of leaf are still very cautious in regard to the stand- ing of prospective customers, having still iu mind the failures in the trade in the early winter, following the ap- plication for the .Sutter Bros., Inc., re- ceivership. The difficulties among those whose finances were lelated to the Chicago firm are now considered over, and the leaf tobacco trade will make a fresh start at the opening of 1904, on a sound basis and excellent prospects. The increasing production of cigars calls for greater and greater quantities of leaf, and while making the market wider and brisker, has also a tendency toward strengthening the financial position of the individual cigar manufacturers. No leaf is in greater demand at the present time than good Connecticut. The writer has made a trip through some of the cigar -making towns of the East, and in none of these does there appear to be any surplus stock of Con- necticut. Both light wrappers and seconds are eagerly sought, and many dealers having a local or even a more ex- tensive trade, admit that they have seen very little Connecticut wrapiwr in the salesrooms lately, so closely has it been bought up as fast as it moved up- on the market. Some of these dealers relate their experiences in the Fall when they visited the towns of the Connecticut and Housatonic Valleys in search of old packings, and had to come away content with stocks very much smaller than tliey had expected to pick up. Many of these dealers say that they will tr}' to get closer to the producers, and that they will accordingly make several visits to New England during the year 1904, so as to make sure of more regular supplies of leaf than they have had in recent years. How many of these men will carry out their pres- ent plans, and how many will simply stay at home and await samples through the usual channels, is a prob- lem; but it appears certain that there will be new buyers in the field, many of tliem small yet competitive, and eath with his effect upon the tobacco market in New England. If assorting and packing is adopted by many of the growers, either in- dividually or in • neighborhood ware- houses, and the field is invaded by these new comers among the buyers, an interesting feature will be added to the toliacco-growing industry, and the tendency will be to strengthen the position of the toliacco grower. The Connecticut shade grown is find- ing its way to the consumer, and is steadily making new friends. Not a week passes that the houses handling this class of leaf do not have several inquiries for it from manufacturers who have learned of its merits, and who realize that with the aid of a little adaptiveness on their part, the leaf is a money-saver "on a large scale. To avoid the payment of $1.85 a pound duty is no small item with the average cigar maker, be his business large or small; and those who have set out to work up a trade in the Connecticut shade-grown are meeting witii a good reception in the trade. It has not been possible, in the few years since shade- growing in New England began, to build up any special machinery or system for the marketing of the leaf, so that while many manufacturers are steady users of it and use nothing else for the wrapping of certain brands, there must still be considerable intro- dnctory .work done for the establish- ment of a regular trade in all the sizes and grades of leaf. One good feature of the shade-grown Connecticut is that it is all wrapper, and that the carefulu ss with which the various processes of culture and warehousing are carried out results in the production of bales of tobacco iu which there are no unsound leaves; tobacco which can be depended upon for wonderful yield in addition to its good wrapping and burning (jualities. It is little wonder that the pre,iudice8 against new things are disappearing, and that there are endless inquiries from the shade-grown. There is some little liother in settling upon just the sizes and types best suited for any particular cigar, but as the character- istics of the leaf become better known, this is passing by, and the tobacco grown under cloth is acquiring its projjer place in the market. Pearl Street. New York, December ^9, 190;i. ' Jivon J. W. Alsop is assorting and packing his crop of about eight acres of Ha- vana, which will be force-sweated in cases at the warehouse of Indian Head Plantations at .Avon Statiim FRIilDS IFARMER^ Our money winning books, vritten by men who know, tell you all about Poto^sh They are needed by every man who owns a field and a plow, ami who desires to get the most out of them. They areyVf^, Send postal card, GERMAN K.\H WORKS !*^ \a»*HKii "Street. >i».'w York APPARATUS Of all kinds, of large or small capacliy, Mounted & Portable Outfits. Seini for si.H-cial Catalogue. sj"" PUIVIPS POWER ^_^__.c.==^-^__^_ FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines Iruiii \\ t..7.» Hiir.-^r P.iwlt for .ill srrvii-es. Special Pumping Engines, PULLEYS, SHAFTING AND BELTING for Power Kciiiil'Hient ••( Fuotories am\ Mills. WINDMILLS, TANKS AND TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hose. In writing for l/atiloguf ].le.ise specify which one yoi; want. We make a specialty of ^\'ater Supply Out- fits for Country Estates. CHARLES J. JAGER COMPANY, 174 HiCH ST., BOSTON, MASS. Cf >» EXAS OBACCO RACTS Write for Full Infu mation to.... Millions for Farmers So says Secretary Wilson, U. S. Dep'tof Agriculture. Exhaustive Tests Prove that the Finest Grade of CUBAN LEAF Filler and Wrapper Can be Grown in East Texas on the Eine of the SOUTHERN PACIFIC Soils and Climate similar to famous Vuelta Aha jo District of Pinar Del Rio. Cuba. T. J. ANDERSON, Gen. Pass. Xgl, Houston, Texas THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Every Tobacco Groover and Every Farmer Needs One Fairbanks Gasolene Engines UTILITY DURABILITY ECONOMY Are three of their many excellent features. "A I'rietul in need is a frieiul indeed." You can always rely on the "Fairbanks " A ready and willing- woi ker. Let us tell you more about them in our catalofjue No. 360. Vertical I /-2 to lO H. P. Horizontal 5 H. P. up. Neither can you afford to ship your product without weighing it on a FAIRBANKS vSCALE You will need a truck. We have trucks in stock of every description. Call and see them at our sales and wareroom, where you will find a full line of MILL AND FACTORY SUPPLIES. The Fairbanks Company, 314- (Sb 31G Pearl Street, Hartford, Conn* New York, N. Y. Albany, N.Y. Balliniore, Md. Buffalo, N. Y' Pittsburjf, Pa. Fhiladelpliia. Pa. New Orleans, La. Montreal, Que. Vancouver, B.C. Biiston, Mass. London, E. C. Toronto. Ont. Middle Farms, Westfield The farm buildings, including the house and barn belonging to William Marcoulier of Middle Farms, were des- troyed by lire on the morning of De cember 20. The family discovered the flames about 7:30 a. m. in the barn, and at that time it was too late to stop the progress of the fire. The flames spread with great rapidity, and the house was soon ablaze. Only a small amount of furnititre was saved. The loss is probably not far from $3,000, including about f70 in money and a considerable amount of jewelr}'. The family was able to save but little furniture. Fiftj' hens were burned. How the fire started is a mystery but Mr. Marcoulier is of the opinion that some one i^lept in the barn over Satur- day night. The buildings were all new, a fire having destioyed the former structures several .years ago. The buildings were insured in the S. A. Allen & Son agency for $1,000. The farm is known as the Sarah Sturtevart place. METHERLJtXDS- EXPORTS. The tobacco exports of the Nether- lands for the calendar year 1902 are presented in detail m the following table. The kilogram may be esti- mated at 3.2 pounds. The figures in- clude cigars as well as leaf tobacco, yet the amounts may be roughly ac- cepted as showing the distribution of Snuiatra wrapper tobacco from Am- steidam to the different nations. Kilograms. Africa, east coast 100,299 Africa, west coast 40,908 Algeria 4,G18 Barbary States 3,0.")2 Belgium .5,32.'?,6r)l Bremen .5,761,637 China 13,062 Curacoa. . 23,057 Denmark 1,330,054 Egypt 4,918 British India 79,. 530 France 783,695 Gibraltar 37,666 Greece . 26,635 Great- Britain 3,345,488 Dutch Guiana 78.216 Hamburg 3,644, 367 Italy 4.591 Java, etc 1.118.981 Cape of Good Hope 8,764 Lubeck 11,483 Malta 14,556 Norway 179,193 Portugal 73,915 Prussia 34,047,935 Rio dela Plati. 17,322 Roumania 14,611 Russia 37,803 Spain 54.311 Turkey 40,591 United States 2,803,916 Sweden 247, 572 Other countries 8,798 Under Cloth in Cuba i 1 I Luis Marx has increased his acreage of tobacco under cloth at Alqiiisar^ Cuba, up to 99 acres. ' I A Pocket Check Book Open a bank account -with tis and take a pocket check book with you. Then your money can't be stolen from your pocket or from your house, and it' s safe against theft and free from danger by fire. As a depositor -with the American National Bank, you share without cost, the use of our vaults, our bookkeeping facilities, our experience in financial matters, and have the satisfaction^ of knowing that you need never worry about possible theft or fire. Ameritf^HMBanK Total 59,084,197 'William J Dixon Cashier 803 Main Street, "^''^cSSS: THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER '^he New England Tobacco Grower Published monthly by Tobacco Grower Publishing Co. S3 Trumbalt'street, Hartford Fire Insurance Building Hartford, Connecticut. Subscription, One Dollar a Year Ten Cents a Copy. Official Journal of The New Eng-land Tobacco Growers' Association. PAUL ACKER.LY, Editor. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elected by The New England Tobacco Growers' Association : Connecticut. Luther M. Case, Winsted. William J. Hayes, TaritEville. Col. E. N. Phelps, Windsor. W. E. Burbank,Thompsonville. Edward W. Dewey, Granby. William F. Andross, East Hartford. Newell St. John, Simsbury. James S. Forbes, Burnside. H, O; Warner, New Milford. A. H. Clark, Poquonock. ArieiMitchelson, Tariffville. H. H. Austin, Sufaeld. P. H. Woodford, Avon. Georg^e Bidwell, East Granby. Allison H. Brown, Poquonock. S. P." Newberry, South Windsor. L. F. Bronson, East Canaan. A. C» Sternberg, West Hartford. J. H. Pierce, Enfield. M. M. Fnsbie, Southinirton. L. A,. Lee, Barkhamsted. A. N. Shepard, Gildersleeve. Georfee Mitchelson, St. Paul. Massachusetts. Thaddeus Graves, Hatfield. K. A. Dearden, Westfield. H. L. Miller. Southwick. Lemuel Graves, Whately. James H. Day, Sunderland. B. M. Wainer, Hatfield. C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland. E. Cyrus Miller, Haydenville. Vermont. H. E. Gassett, Putney. Charles Brown, Westminster. New Hampshire. G. S. Smith, Hinsdale. Volume IV. Entered at the Hartford Post-Office as Second Class mail matter. HARJTFORD, JANUARY, J904. TOBJtCCO SEED TN experimenting with the seed of the tobacco plant, there is one little test that is worthy of attention. Moreover, it is an experiment which any tobacco ^ower can make, and at any season of the year, and at no ex- pense. Take a quantity of tobacco seed and separate the seed by size into turee classes, — l^ge, medium, and small seeds. Pat these seeds to sprout in a warm place, and observe the d Serence in the proportion of germination be- tween the seeds of the different classes. Should it turn out, as it basj'with several tests, that over 90 per cent, of the heavy seed sprout, and less than 50 per cent, of the medium seeds, and very few at all of the small seeds sprout, then it is likely that you will carry the idea a little further in your mind. Doubtless you will reflect that if the small and medium sized seeds are weak and slow to sprout, they may make weak and slow plants. It is well not to go to an extreme, and try to charge slow growth, stunted appearance, calico, and all the rest to smallness of seed; yet might it not be that the defective plants in many in- stances had a tendency away from the ideal that came to them through their growth from small seeds? The tobacco seed at its best and plumpest, is a small, unassuming creature, — a poor scrap of life that has a great work ahead in the upbuilding of a heavy stalk and a large foliage growth within a few months. If a to- bacco grower can, even in a slight degree, help to free his fields from small, slow plants by the process of sifting out and discarding the small seeds before he sows his seed-beds, it is worth the doing, — and, at any rate, it i.s a process not expensive and requir- ing little time and attention. L.ACK OF DJtMPS •rVURINa the fall and early winter ■^^ Seasons when tobacco is ready to come down, it is entirely proper for the weather to show its helpful spirit through the providing of damp spells, during which the tobacco hanging in the sheds can be handled, and bundled and sent to the warehouse. November and December of 1903 have been remarkably lacking in damp spells, and a great quantity of tobacco has been hanging in the sheds at a season when usually the greater part of the leaf is being handled by the assorters. This has worked no damage except that which follows on delay, principally the disappointment to the men and women who depend upon the warehouses for winter employment, and who have been idle and without much income during the two months named. The loss in wages will be made up from now on, and there will be a great rush late in the season, for all of the tobacco will have to be handled nevertheless. A season ol this kind is, however, unsatisfactory to the tobacco hands; and it has had the effect in some towns of leading growers to try the steam method in the sheds. There has been no satisfactory ex- planation as yet of why the dampening of hanging tobacco by means of steam, if carefully done, should be injurious to the leaf. It would appear that if there is no overheating or actual spray- ing of the leaf, the tobacco should be unmindtul of the source of the fog, and take just as kindly to moisture coming from a sixrhorse boiler as to moisture drifting in from unknown and unmanageable fog-banks in the sky. It is well to have it tried by so many growers, whose crops go to different buyers, so that in the course of time the tobacco growers can learn with some certainty whether the steam method of taking down is advisable, or whether there is really good founda- tion for the prejudice that has existed against this plan. ANNUAL MEETING The twenty-first annual meeting of the New England Tobacco (irowers' Association will be held in Room 50, State Capitol, Hartford, Tuesday, Jan- uary 13, 1904, commencing at 11 o'clock in the morning. All tobacco growers and others in- terested in the culture of tobacco, whether now members of the associa- tion or not, are requested to attend; and those not at present affiliated with the association are invited to become members, joining at this meeting. Dr. E. H. Jenkins, Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will give a practical talk on tobacco growing subjects, and theie will be other speakers to address the meeting. Dr. Jenkins, as is well- known, has been a pioneer in tobacco investigations, and has rendered to the leaf tobacco industry practical service of the utmost value. Archibald Dixon Shamel, one of the founders of the Illinois Corn Breeders' Association, is expcted to be present and to talk ou plant breeding as ap- plied to tol)acco culture, including seed selection and the judging of the differ- ent types of plants. Mr. Shamel is studying the selection of tobacco seed in a systematic manner. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER East Hartford A shipment to Deiivei ciT lio cases of tohacco has been made by E. O. (lood- •win. One shipment made recently by W. L. Huntting & Co. was of .ii cases f f 1!)()2 Bi-oadleaf to the West The farmers who sold their tobacco to W. H. Taylor & Co. of Weatfleld, have been informed of the counter- mandinj; of the purchases on account of conditions following the failure of Sutter Brothers, Inc. Spencer Burnham has given up a proposed trip to Porto Eico, on account of the late season for stripping tobacco. In preparation for tobacco in 190.5, the orchard on the Charles Smith property, Forbes street, has been cut down after an existence of sixty years. The field will grow jjotatoes this next season, and then tobacco will be cul- tivated there. hdward E. King is soon to open the tobacco warehouse of P. Dennerlein & Sons of New York. The dampness of the Sunday before Christmas brought down a great quantity of tobacco. William F. Andross, the well-known tobacco gi'ower, is improving after an attack ot illness. A large tobacco shed owned by James Flannigan was destro3'ed by fire on the night of November W. The shed was filled with tobacco raised by Charles Jillson, and it was all con- sumed. The loss on the building is about $1.0(10, which is partly covered by insurance. The loss on the tobacco will be about |1,.500, covered by insur- ance. Supreme Court Decision The Connecticut Supreme Court has sustained the decision in the Devine- Warner case, allowing John J. Devine of Sufiield damages to the amount of 1631. 9;^ in his suit against H. O. Warner of New Milford, on account of Mr. Devine' s loss through the re- fusal of Mr, Warner to accept a crop of tobacco bargained for in the fall of 1899. Sumatra Lengths While the ideal at first set for^ the culture of Sumatra under cloth in the Connecticut Valley was the obtaining of many 16-inch leaves, it has been found in practice that the longer leaves. 18, 20, and 22 inches, take better with'the trade and are the sizes that bring the Ijest prices, although in the imported the 16-inch leaves are the most desirable. Glastonbury A considerable part of the crop is still hanging at this writing, although the Sunday storms have been used for taking down. East Windsor Carl Vogt, of Front street. New York, hm been a visitor hare in search of old packings of tobacco. @ St. Louis ElxHibit. <5) > To the Tobacco Growers, Dealers, and Manufacturers of the State of Connecticut : Connecticut is preparing to make an exhibit of its various interests at the Louisiana Purchase Exjjosition at St. Lonis in 1904. The to- bacco interest being one of the largest of the state, it should be well represented, and we ask your hearty co-operation in helping to make the best exhibit possible. All are asked to contribute samples of their goods for exhibition. Each sample will be entered under its owner's name for competition. The committee request that all samples be forwarded to them not later than January IS, 1904, so that they may have sufficient time to force sweat and prepare for exhibition. CoiTespondence is solic- ited from all who are willing to exhibit at this exposition. Express charges will be paid on all exhibits by the committee, and shipping tags furnished on application to any member of the com- mittee. The committee asks for eight hands of each grade; and the grower may send in samples of as many grades as he desires, Edmund Halladay, Suffield, H, W. Alford, Poiiuonock, James S, Forbes, Burnside. Committee. © & IVhatley A little moie tuan half of the 1 90.'? crop is in the bundle. Steam has been used to some extent to dampen the to- bacco and has proven quite satisfac- tory. W. W. Sanderson has sold his crop at 1.5 cents assorted. From present indications, many of the growers will assort and pack their crops. There is no 1902 tobacco in town. Manchester The warehouse of A. & S. Hartman is very busy with the assorting of the tobacco from the firm's plantation in Buckland, 42 acres under cloth and 18 acres of outside Broadleaf. Tne shade- grown iLcludes both Sumatra and Cuban. Hockanum The Porter warehouse has been in operation continuously, in spite )f the delays cau.sed b3' the lack of damps for the bringing of the tobacco from the poles to tlie assoiting room. Sutter Brothers, Inc., Jtuction Two thousand cases of Pennsylvania Broadleaf and Havana Seed tol)acco, 1901 and 1903 crops, packed by Sutter Brothers, Inc., were offered at auction at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 30. Chicago An offei of settlement at 50 cents on the dollar, ten cents down and the rest in instalments, has been favorably considered by the creditors of Crump Brothers, who.Sd failu-e followed that of Sutter Brothers, Inc. JVew York Quotations Leaf tobacco quotations in NewYork, December 28: Connecticut fillers, 6 a 8 Average running lots, 20 a 30 Fine wrappers, 50 a 75 New York State fillers, 5 a 7 Average lots, 15 a 30 Fine wrappers, 35 a 35 Ohio fillers a Average lots, 16 a 20 Pennsylvania fillers, 7 a 10 Average lots B's, 13 a 15 Poquonock Fires. Fire destroyed the tobacco shed and horse barn of L. P. Clark & Sons, west of Ptiquonock, late in the evening of December 8. One and one-half tons of tobacco, 30 tons of ha,y, six horses, three cows, ana some farming imple- ments and tools, were in the building and were burned. There was insur- ance on the building, but none on the COL tents. In digging in the ruins, bones were found which indicate that the fiie may have been started by a sleepy tramp. The tobacco shed in the northern part of Poquonock, owned by Airs. Kate Danehy of Winsted, has also burned, together with the crop of to- bacco owned by Daniel Laverty, Jr. The insurance on tlie building and contents was 1 1,300. East Granby The barn of J. G. Willoughby has been burned, together with the con- tents, comprising seven head of cattle and about 30 tons of hay. JO THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER THe Cutworms Several Plans for FigHting This Enemy of the Young Tobacco Plant. TOBACCO is no less subject to the attacks of cutworms than are many other crojis. Grown in seed beds, as it is, and set out in newly plowed fields in the summer, the plants are naturally attacked by the hungry worms, which for some days at least had existed in the soil deprived of food. It is a com- mon experience with tobacco growers, as well as other agriculturists, that cutworms are always more numerous in fields left in fallow for a period be- fore being planted to certain crops. There is a greater variety of vegetation in such fields, and the moths which lay the eggs which produce the cut- worms are more apt to be attracted. Tobacco growers who have planted their fields to clover after the removal of the tobacco crop are also apt to find that there are plenty of cutworms present the following season. Those who plant winter grain, however, find that the following crop is less liable to damage by cutworms. This indicates the relative value of difllerent cropping methods. It is a comparatively simple matter, however, to rid a field of cut- worms before planting out the tobacco, and as a measure of safety this course may be followed to advantage. After the field is plowed and is bare of vege- tation and ready for planting, if the tobacco grower will thoroughly spray a patch of grass or weeds with Paris green and water, and will then cut it and drop it in little bunches here and there throughout the tobacco field, he will find that tlie cutwoims iii the soil. in the absence of other food, will eat this cijt and poisoned vegetation and will be destroyed so that the tobacco plants can be set out without fear of damage. Without such preventive treatment (and especially when, as indicated above, the land has grown up with weeds, grass, and other wild vegeta- tion) before the planting out of the to- bacco crop, the result will frequently be the cutting down by the cutworms of a large proportion of the tobacco plants; and the writer has known of instances where more than one-half of the crop had to be replanted. Some farmers, instead of a poisoned trap of green vegetation, prefer the so- called bran-arsenic mash, which origi- nally came into use as a remedy against insects in California, where it was successfully used against the Califor- nia devastating grasshopper. It was first tried against cutworms in Cali- fornia also successfully. In the East it has been used against cutworms affecting different crops, and with the greatest success in southern Virginia against the American locust or grass hopper. In the tobacco field it has also been successfully used against cutworms in Florida. The bait, or mash, is pre- pared by thoroughly mixing Paris green and bran at the rate of 1 pound of Paris green to SO or 7.5 pounds of bran. Just before using, it should be moistened Slightly with water and sweetened with molasses. The Florida custom is to I3ut a small ring of the poisoned mixture around each newly set plant, or to place a teaspoonful at two or three different places. Cut- worms prefer this poisoned mash even to green vegetation. It should be re- newed frequently, and fowls or live stock should not be allowed access to it. Mr. Quaintance recommends that where seed beds are badlj' infested with cutworms the poisoned bran should be drilled along in various parts of the bed where it will be readily ac- cessible to them. The bran-arsenic mash produces the best results when it is used as we- have recommended for the poisoned -vegetation trap to rid the land of cutworms- before the tobacco plants are transferred from seed bed to field. In this case the land is prepared before-hand, and a little of the mash is dropped in tlie drill near the place where the plant will be set. Prof. VV. C. Johnson recommends that this should be done from three to five days before the plants are set out. A numbei of different species of cut- worms may be concerned in this dam- age, and several characteristic forms have been found in the tobacco field. L. O. Howard, Department of Agriculture. In Porto Rico Increase in Shade Oro'wing and General Tobacco Activity EPORTING to the United States Government, the Commissioner of the Inte- rior for Porto Rico says: If nearly a million peo- ple were compelled to de- pend for subsistence upon the possible product of less than ii,()00 miles of terri- tory, be it ever so fertile, the methods of culture ever so scientific, the imple- ments employed ever so modern, and good markets ever so con- venient, one would expect to find the masses poor, decrepit and starving. But when that number of people have less than half of that territory under cultivation, have no knowledge of proper methods, employ the most ancients of tools, and have no kind of market, if they needed one, what then ? Yet that was the condition of the rural population of Porto Rico five years ago, and it is barely beginning to improve. How they existed and continued to multiply and replenish the earth is marvelous. To the bounteousness of nature in providing wild fruits, anil the fertility of the soil in hurrying into life and to maturity the seed dropped, baiely covered and left to chance, are due the credit. The Bureau of Agriculture and Mines is old in existence, but the records fail to show that it has been more than a name. Politicians here, as elsewhere, express much sympathy for the poor agriculturists, but their a.ssistance ends there. The farmers of Porto Rico need to be taught how to farm, and encouraged bj' every means at command to plant and cultivate those things that command a profitable price in the market. With a small appropriation the bureau has under- taken to i)lace valuable information be- fore the farmers. During the Spanish regime, and in conformity with the strict policj' of Spain to prevent the establishment of trade relations between its colonies and any other country, unless forced by circumstances to allow it, and then not without compensatory advantages The Dandy Windmill tanks and towers are tlie best in the world. We carry a full line of these mills, pumps and tanks at Springfield, and are in posiiion to put up a complete outfit of any size. If you are thinking of buy- ing a windmill, be sure to write to us for catalogues, prices and full infor- mation. We are sole agents for the State of Connecticut for the Challenge line. THE AGRICULTURAL STORE, (b. l. ukagg co.; Springfield - - Massachusetts THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER tl to the home (loveniiiient. tlic iiiiinn- factnre of cigars for exjiort was not pcr- mittetl in Porto Kico. Tobacco niiglit be grown and sbipjieil in the leaf to Cuba, whence it found its way as Havana cigars to the States. Porto Rican grown tobacco is e(Hial in flavor to the Cul)an product, so that while the deceiition was harmless, injustice was done to Porto ico in deprivinf^ her people of einplcyuient and profit. Now. however, the manufacture of cigars is a. thriving industry, the ex- poits in lillll-3 amounting! in value to ll,.")!!),-^;!."'!, and in 11MI-2-S to *l,T.j:!,- 917. The area planted tu tubacco lias been largely increased The yield this year was normal, but a considerable porticm is being held for better prices. On account of the laige increase in the manufacture of cigars, there i-esultel a shortage of wrappers, and the experi- ment of cultivation under shade was tried with marked success, the quality being superior and the yield larger. The Assistant Commissioner reports the exports of leaf tobacco during the tiscal year 1902 as valued at !$312,T(>8, compared with .tlit-t.M.TT in ISili;^, a loss of about $18,001), which, however, was very much more than recouped by the gain ill cigars, the exports of which rose from |1,.549.3::5.5 to $1,708,917, an increase of 1214.083. Concerning the yield of leaf tobacco for the present year and tbe outlook for next season, the Assistant Commissioner says: The area planted to tobacco this year was much larger than that of last year, and the yield was normal. It has not been possible to ascertain the amount of the crop, as a large part of it is still unsold, on account of the fall in price. This will cau.se a reduction of the plantations or the next season. The experiments of cultivation under shade have been a success. The im- provement in the quality of the product and the increase ia yield are considerable, giving an enormous profit. These plantations under shade will receive some extension in the next season, but not so much as would be desirable, on account of the consider- able outlay that they require. Windsor Fire broke out on the morning of December 14, in the building owned and occupied in part by W. G. Wrisley as an otBce just west of the railroad station. The building was also occu- pied in part by Mr. Wilbraham as a hardware and tin store and plumbing shop. Connected to this building was Mr. Wrisley's livery stable containing twenty horses and a number of car- riages, hacks, blankets and other stable equipments. Tbe alarm was sounded on the Eddy Company's whistle and ihe tire company responded and soon had the chemical engine plajing into the fire. This was soon followed by a hydrant stream and two lines of hose from the Eddy Electric company, and the flames were soon under control The fire loss amounts to about |4,000 with about $8,000 insurance. The ori- gin of the fire is unknown. BARER'vS TRACELESS HARNESS \ Thi?, harness is particularly valuable to tobacco growers, both in the cultivation of open and cloth covered fields. Owing- to the absence of whiffletrees and traces, closer work can be done with teams every- where. B. F. Baker Co., Burnt Hills. N. Y. Easlhampton. Mass., Nov. 1. 1901. Gentlemen : — The harness I boujfbt of you in April last has given g-ood satisfaction. My team worked m it steadily for over three weeks, without a grall^ and appeared lo handle the plow, scraper and log-s with jfreater ease than with the old style harness. Yours very truly." JAMES Mc(jUESTION. Paul Ackerly, Bditor of The New England Tobacco Grower, writes: ** Having- three sets of your harness in use in tobacco culture, I am in a position to know its i2"reat value in this field. No up-to-date grower will be without this harness after its value to him is known.'' B.F.Baker Co., Burnt Hills, N. Y. Litchfield. Conn.. Oct. 29, 1902. Dear Sirs : Your Traceless Harness has been ffiven a thoroug-h trial among- voung trees that were thickly set. It gave perfect satisfaction where it would have been impossible to have worked with any other harness. I have used it on stone-boat and harrows, and can {five it unqualified recommendation for all such work. Faithfully yours, J. H. PUTNAM. In use throughout the U. S. and Canada on farms and elsewhere. Invaluable lo every orchardist, fruit grower, and lumberman. Write us to-day for Illustrated Catalog^ue, sent free. B. F. BAKER COMPANY, 234 Main St., BURNT HILLS, N. Y. North Hatfield C. H. Crafts & Brother have suc- cessfully employed the steam methofl for taking clown tobacco. Oscar Belden is the purchaser of 2(3 acres of tobacco land, formerly the property of C. B. Marsh. Meiv Milford Many tons of tobacco have been bought for the American Tobacco Company, their principal buyer here being W. R. Israel, the Hartford repre- sentative of the company. Prices are regaideil as fair, and the situation . is enciiui aging in the Housatonic Valley, as it is known that other buyers are coming into this region shortly. Several carloads of the tobacco bought l)y the American Tobacco Com- pany have been shipped to Richmond. Virginia, where the assorting and packing is done. STR6LE IHHWDBE IN CAK OK CARGO LOTS Prompt Delivery Lowest Prices ^. M. Goodrich HARTFORD AND NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION COMPANY HARTFORD CONNECTICUT 12 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Studies Secretary 'Wilson Describes the Department's AVorK tHe Past Season HON. JAMEH WILSON, Secretary of Agriculture, says in his annual report, referring t the work of the Bureau of Soils: Some supervisory work was done in Connecticut during the past fiscal year, but the large purpose of the depart- ment, which was to show the Connec- ticut tobacco growers that a wrapper leaf of superior quality could be pro- duced on a specific soil type established in the soil survey of the Connecticut Valley, has been successfully brought to a close. It remains now for the growers to put the shade-grown Suma- tra industry on a substantial basis, to- ward which condition great progress has already been made. The investigation of the fermenta- tion of Ohio tobaoco has also been con- tinued, and the interest in bulk fer- mentation, which is far better than the case method up to this time largely employed by the packers, is gaining ground. The quantity of to- bacco handled according to the method prescribed by the bureau of soils has increased from 65.5,200 pounds of the 1901ciopto 4,204,800 pounds of the crop of 1902. This tobacco is Zimmer Spanish and Little Dutch, varieties used in the manufacture of cigars, and the substitution of the bulk method of fermentation foi the present practice of case fei mentation will not only pre- vent great loss from rot an imperfect curing, but will a so result in a general improvement in the several grades of tobacco, and thus greatly increase the profits of the grower and packer. By far the most important work of the bureau of soils during the past year, under the authorization for to- bacco investigations, has been the ex- perimental growing of Cuban cigar- leaf tobacco on certain soils in South Carolina, Alabama and Texas. These soils, the Orangeburg sandy loam and the Orangeburg loam, are apparently very similar to the tobacco soil of Cuba, and the aroma of the leaf grown on one of these soils in Texas has been pronounced by the trade to be very tine. As these experiments in the South look toward the establishment of a new tobacco industry in that part of the country and to the pro<'<^' ^R9l.E Swift's Washing Powder is the Tidy Housewife's best friend. Try a package and see for yourself. SWIFT PROVISION COMPANY, IQ JOHN STREET, BOSTON, MASS, H THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Treaty witH Cuba Senate Approves Reciprocity Plan and President R.oosevelt Issues a Proclamation WASHINGTON, December 37.— The Oiiban reciprocity treaty took effect today, reducing by 30 per cent, the duties on all Cuban products imported to the United States, and giving concessions in turn in the duties levied by Cuba on American products. The treaty was passed by the United States Senate on December 16, at 4:50 in the afternoon, after a day of debate in which Spooner, (Kep. , Wis.) and Bailey, (Dem., Tex.) were the principal figures. The bill was passed by a vote of 57 to 18. all the Republi- cans excepting Mr. Bard of California, voting for it, and all the Demjcrats ex- cepting nine, voting against it. Both senators from Colorado had declared, said Mr. Spooner, in his speech, that the benefit of reciprocity would inure to the Sugar Trust, and that the Republican senators knew it and were^ willing to sacrifice the beet sugar industry for the benefit of the Sugar Trust. The senatoi from Texas, (Mr. Bailey) had, however, been more polite. He had shared in the opinion that the Sugar Trust would profit by the legislation, but he had not accused the Republican side of lack of sincerity. They were meiely stupid. [Laiighter.] Mr. Bailey's discussion of the con- stitutional questions involved led to occasional collotjuies in which Spooner and Hale took part. One of the ex- changes led the speakers into political fields and Mr. Bailey delivered an im- promptu panegyric on the indestructi- l)ility of the Democratic party. Mr. Hale informed Mr. Bailey that he had shared with him in entirety the opinion that bills for raising revenue must originate in the House, and that there could be no usurpation ot this prerogative by the president and the Senate in their treaty making capacity. Piatt of Connecticut, Forakei of Ohio, and Lodge of Massachusetts gave notice that at a more opportune time they would di.scuss the constitutional questions raised, and that they did not assent to the argument that the presi- dent and Senate had no right to make treaties affecting revenues. The vote was then taken on the bill, and it was passed, as follows: Yeas— Republican, Aldrich, Alger, Allee, Alliston, Ankeny, Ball, Beve- ridge, Burnham, Burrows, Burton, Olapp, Clark of Wyoming, Culloin, Dejjew, Dillingham, Dolliver, Dryden, Elkins, Fairbanks, Foraker, Foster of Washington, Frye, Pulton, Gallinger, Hale, Hanna, Hansbrough, Heyburn, Hoar, Hopkins, Kean, Lodge, Long, McComea, McCumber, Mitchell, Nelson, Penrose, Perkins, Piatt of Connecticut, Piatt of New York, Proctor, Quarley, Scott, Smoot, Spencer, Stewart, Wetmore — 48; Demo- crats, Bacon, Blackburn, Clay, C'ock- rell, Gorman, McReary, Overman, Simmons and Stone — 9 total, 57. Nays —Republicans, Bard — 1: Demo- crats, Bailey, Bate, Berry, Carmack, Culberson, Daniels, Dubois. Foster, McBnery, McLaurin, Mallory, Martin, Newlands, Pettus, Talifeiro, Teller. Tillman— 17; total, 18. On December 17 Ihe President signed and issued the following proclamation: By the President of the United States. A Proclamation: — Wliereas, a convention between the United States of America ana the Re- public of Cuba to facilitate their com- mercial intercourse by improving the conditions of trade between the two countries was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentaries at the city of Havana on the eleventh day of December 1902, the original of which convention, being in the English aul Spanish languages is, as amended by the Senate of the United States, as follows: (Here follows treaty. ) And, whereas, by the terms of the said convention it is provided that the ratifications therefor should be ex- changed at the city of Washingtim as soon as may be before the thirty-first day of January, 190:-!, which period was by a supplementary convention signed by the resjjective plenipntentia- ries of the two countries on .Tanuary 36, 190H, extended to the thirty-first day of March, 190a. And whereas, the said convention of December 11. 1903, as amended by the Senate of the United State.,, and the said supplementary convention of Jan- uary 36, 190a, have been duly ratified on both parts and the latifications of the two governments were exchanged in the city of Wasliington on the thirty-first day of March. 1008; And, whereas, by its resolution of March 19, 190H, the Senate of the United States added to the end of Article XI of the said convention of December 11, 1903, the following' amendment: "This convention snail not take effect until the same shall have been apjjrovod by the Congress;" And, whereas, the Congress gave its approval to the said convntion by an act ainiroved December 17, 1903, en- titled "An act to carry into effect a convention between the United States and the repuolic of Cuba, signed eleventh day of December in the year 1903," which act is word for word as follows : (Here follows the act. ) And, whereas, satisfactory evidence has been received by the President of -the United States that tue republic of Cuba had made iirovisi(m to give full effect to the articles of the said con- vention; ■ Now, therefore, be it known that 1, Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States of America, in conform- ity with the said act of Congress, do hereby declare and proclaim the said convention, as amended by the Senate of the United States, to be in effect on the tenth day from the date of this my proclamation. Wherefore, 1 have caused the said convention, as amended by the Senate of the United States, to be made public to the end that the same and every clause thereof, as amended, may be ob- served and fulfilled with good faith bjr the United States and the citizens thereof. In testimony thereof, I have here- unto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of ximerica to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this seventeenth day of December, in the j-ear of Our Lord, 1903, and of the ^ #i ADS. THAT PAY are those that reach just the cla.ss of peo- ple to whom you want to sell your goods. If you want to do business with the to- bacco growers of New England, the adver- tising medium to use is The New Eng- I, AND Tobacco Growei*. Intelligent adver- tising in The New Engi,.\nd Tobacco Gkowek makes good customers. It brings not mereh' a tran- s i e n t trade, but steady business, for the tobacco growing- industry is such that the grower finds himself in need of new equipment and new supplies at every season of the year. TShe NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROAVER.. Connecticut . Hartford. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER V5 LUTHBR M. CASE, WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, Packer and Dealer in Connecticut Leaf Tobacco. ^|.y Shade Grown j^j^ '^i*' Sumatra in Bales. ^f* Main Warehouse and Office, Pine Meadow, Conn. BRJiMCH WAREHOUSES: Soulhwick, Mass..-Fcireman. H. L. Miller. P.ast Canaan, Coilii.,— Foreman. L. F. tjronson. IJarkhanisted, Conn.,— Foreman, L. A. T^ee North Hatfield, Mass.,— Foreman. Willis Holden. New Hartford. Conn .. — Foreman. James Stewart. SUMATRA PLANTATIONS: Pine Meadow, Conn., Barkhamsted, Conn., Southwick, Mass., 25 Acres 20 Acres 15 Acres Always in the market for old Tobacco if well assorted and packed, jt Havana Seed Wrap- pers a specialty, assorted and .sized in*o thirty-two g-rade^. ...... i ^MWWWMWW^^MWSRWW«WM«^WMMWWW¥S indeijendence of the United States, the oue-hunareil-and-twenty-eighth. Theodore Roosevelt. By the President, John Hay, Secretary of State. Pioneers in Tobacco liaising The recent death of Orrin Poiueroy at Fulton, Wi.s, recalls to mind the intimate connection of the Pomeroy family with the introduction of to- tacco growing, not only in Wisconsin, but Ohio as well. In both states they were the pioneers in tobacco growing, which has since become such an im- portant farm product there. More than sixty years ago, in 1HH9, Orrin and Ralph Pomeroy emigrated from SufHeld, to Wayne township, in the Miami Valley, Ohio, and grew the first crop of cigar leaf from seed taken with them from Connecticut. From this beginning tobacco as a field crop spread until now Ohio is the third largest in production of the country. In IS.JS the Pomeroy brothers, Ralph, Orrin and William, settled on adjoin- ing farms in the to\vn of Fulton, Ohio, and began to cultivate tobacco, the first year with a ten acre crop, and at no season since has there been less than that acreage grown on any of the three farms. Orrin Pomeroy has ever since been one of the largest growers of to- bacco in the West. William T. Pom- eroy, of Janesville, is the only surviv- ing member of the three brothers, who wer& pioneers in two states, Cotton-Seed Freights Freight rates on cotton seed meal and cake from points in the Southeast to Boston and points taking the Boston rates, are advanced one and two cents per 100 pounds,. Memphis and points in Tennessee and Mississippi take the Memphis rates, 80 cents. From various points in Alabama and Georgia the advance will be one cent per lUO pounds. The movement of the cotton seed products is now at its height. Many of the mills about Memphis, however, are not operating to their full capacity, because of difficulty in marketing their products owing to the amount of freight that is moving over the country. .Amherst The damp of December 20, brought down considerable tobacco, and it is expected that the early part of January will see more activity in the tobacco business here. The tobacco last taken down, like all the rest of the crop, shows good, sound leaves, with lots of light wrap- per. Virginia Shade-Grown The acre crop of shade-grown Su- matra raised by A. W. Green, near Ashland, Virginia, has been shipped to Connecticut to be assorted and pacKed. Conway, Massachusetts But a very small xn'oportion of the crop had been taken from the pole previous to December 30, when the damp made the crop in good condition to handle, tor the first time since Oc- tober 9. None of the growers has used steam this season. No sales have been made, in fact no buyers have been here to ex- amine the crop. There is but little, if any, of the 190'.; crop left in town. Charles Parsons. PATENTS OBTAINED For information, write to Ralph Sturtevant Warfield, SOO H St., \. IV., Washington, D. C. IT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW: The best place in Hartford to buy Jew- elry, to buy a watch, to have a watch repaired. It's over on Pearl street, just a little way from Main. GEORGE W. BALL, Diamond Broker and Jeweler, 65 PEARL ST., HARTFORD, CONN. 16 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWEK WILLIAM FIRTH, President. ' FRANK B. COMINS, Treasurer THE AMERICAN MOISTENING COMPANY Received the HIGHEST AWARD on recommendation of the Franklin Institute for '^Simplicity and Originality of Design" IaTo Is the larg-est manufacturer of HUMIDIFIERS in the world, the last twenty years receiving the V^ Highest Awards in this country and Europe for its AIR-MOISTENING SYSTEM. A NATURAL CONDITION FOR HANDLING LEAF OR OTHER TOBACCO MAY BE MAINTAINED BY OUR SYSTEM OF AIR-MOISTENING ^° ANY PERCENTAGE OF MOISTURE CAN BE PRODUCED .^ ^' ^' The following letter will suggest the value of our AIR-MOISTENING System in handling SHADE GROWN SUMATRA TOBACCO : OFFICE OP OLDS & WHIPPLE, ^^ Hartford. Conn., January 9th, 1903. ^S° American Moistening Company, ^^c ^^^^ Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass. T?^ Gentlemen: — Your system of humidilication which we have recentlj- installed in our tobacco warehouse is giving perfect satisfaction, we being able to make any atmospheric condition desired in our assorting roum, thus obtaining perfect conditions foi the curing and assorting of tobacco, especially in the curing and assorting of our shade-grown Su- ^\° matra tobacco, which tobacco is of very fine texture and requires a considerable degree L\o '^^ hucuidity in handling. ^^ The old system of evaporation pans or admitting steam into a barrel of water was very ^S° unsatisfactory; we not only had trouble in obtaining the moi.sture required, but in doing (r^ j^ji so, raised the temperature altogether too high for the proper handling of the tobacco "-^ ^^ Your system not only gives tne proper degree of humidity at all times, but in a large measure is a regulator for the temperature as well. We are glad to be the users of the first system put in for this purpose, and as it be- ^-^^ comes better known in the tobacco trade, you will undoubtedly be called upon to equip o v^ all the first-class warehouses. We should be glad to show this .system in operation to \^^ any of the trade that may be interested. Yours tiiily, °o^ (Signed) OLDS & WHIPPLE. Anierican Moistening Company 150 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON, MASS. J. S. COTHRAN, Southern Representative, Empire Bldg., Atlanta, Ga. Write for Booklet "E" on Humidification. .°^^°^^'>^°^~.°^~,'>^^°^~.° ^°^^,° ^^"^-.°^^°^--°^^°^-^°^^°^^°^^-^-°^--°^-.°^^°^^ ■'^- °^^o ^ "^h ^Ae New England Tobacco Grower VOL. IV. No. 6. HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, FEBRUARY, J 904. $1.00 A YEAR Uhe Importance of Seed ^Selection Jt. D. Shamel, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. ^^ OOD seed is absolutely essential ^^ for the production of good to- bacco crops. It is especially necessary in tobacco because of the great varia- tien of types and plants. It is prob- able that there is no other general crop which shows such a decided tendency to break up into variable types. This variation is probably induced in great part by the conditions of seed, soil and climate, and is very marked in varie- ties which have been imported into a region, from sections having difterent conditions; as is the case of Cuban varieties brought into the Connecticut Valley. The controlling factor in the production of uniform varieties is the seed. In view of the wide range of prices for different grades of tobacco, the importance of uniform varieties can not be over-estimated. The yield of the crop in a given variety is directly dependent on the number of leaves on the plants. In an investigation of representative fields of the varieties of tobacco grown in the Connecticut Valley, it was found that there is a surprising variation in tlie number of leaves on different plants. This variation was not wholly due to local soil, or climatic conditions. The variation was uniform for the different types under all conditions or circum- stances of growth. The variation was not confined to a particular spot in the field, or to special fields. Plants pro- ducing eight leaves grew beside plants producing twenty-four leaves. Plants of equal size of growth produced very difterent numbers of leaves, growing under as nearly similar conditions as is possible to be secured in the field. Where few leaves were produced, the leaves were set apart on the stem, while the plants with greater numbers of leaves had the leaves set closer to- gether. Individual plants were found in all fields with from three to four times the average number of leaves. The development of these plants beside others with only one-thiid or one- fourth the number of leaves, uni- formly over all the fields examined, lead to the conclusion that by selection of seed from iDlants having a large • number of leaver, the average number in the fields can be increased, and the yield proportionally improved. From lack of experimental evidence on this point as yet, we are justitiea in com- paring the possibilities of accomplish- ing this result, with similar problems in other crops. In the case of Indian corn, the number of rows of kernels on the ears, and the number of kernels in the rows have been greatly increased in a given variety, by the selection of seed ears having the largest number of rows and numbers of kernels. The value of the crop depends in part on the .shape of leaf. The most desirable leaf is one from which the greatest number of wrappers may be cut. Pointed leaves are not desirable because less wrappers can be cut from them than from rounded leaves of the same size. In a studj' of the shape of leaves on individual plants it was found that there was great variation between different plants, and between different parts of the stem and leaves ou the same plant. Plants having uniformly rounded leaves were found growing beside plants with long pointed leaves. On other plants part of the leaves, usually those borne on the central portion of the stem, were of good shape while the upper and lower leaves were pointed and undesirable. There was as much variation in the size of leaves as in the shape. A small proportion of plants were found to have uniform leaves of a desirable size, while others were too large or too small ; too long in propor- tion to width, or otherwise not well proportioned. From the fact that plants are produced in these fields hav- ing uniform and desirable shaped leaves it seems probable that by the selection of seed from these plants, the proportion of the best shaped leaves in the crop may be increased. There is considerable evidence showing that such improvement is possible. In the case of the Havana type of tobacco in the Connecticut Valley, a grower has selected his seed from plants having leaves of noticeably rounded shape, for eleven years. In a comparison of the plants in his crop, and the plants in other crops raised from his seed, it was found that the leaves on these plants were of uni- formly better shape than those in fields where little or no seed selection had been made. The results of this grower's seed selection are so striking that this strain has established a repu- tation on this point. We may com- pare the shape of the tobacco leaves with the shape of ears of com. In the large eared dent varieties grown in the Mississippi Valley, the ordinary ear tapers from the butt to the tip. It is exceedingly difficult to find ten ears in a thousand bushels of ordinary com that does not taper more or less. By continued selection of seed ears that are cylindrical it has been found that a majority of cylindrical ears can be produced in the crop. The produc- tion of the cylindrical ears from the tapering type, by selection of the cylindrical seed ears, is good evidence that a rounded tobacco leaf may be secured by the selection of seed from plants having rounded leaves. The quality of the leaf is correlated, at least in part with the thickness and color of the leaves. A thick heavy {^Continued on page 14.) THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER South Windsor Numerous sales of Broadleaf have been reported in this section. The following sold to McCue: Miss Kate Mahoney, three and one-half acres; R. S. Parker, three and three-quarters acres; Mrs. Julia Pease, nine acres; John Dugan, six acres; Peter Whalen, six acres. The price reported is 24 >^ cents in the bundle. The following sales were made to Qrotta of Warehouse Point: Walter G. Newberry, six acres; Mrs. E. Risley, four acres; Mrs. H. Newberry, six acres; Leroj- Brown, seven acres; Martin Riordan, 15 acres. Wm. Scoville sold four and one-half acres, John Hartnell 11 acres, and Frank Prior nine acres, to Huntting; price not stated. Mrs. Moore sold six acres to Capenburg. These sales were made to L. Oster- weise: Frank Bid well, six acres; Fred Newberry, four acres; Roswell Grant, five acres; Richai'd Rice, ten acres. Sales to E. O. Goodwin were: Ed- win Ripley, three acres; D. J. Kelle- her, 16 acres; Clinton Burnham, eight acres; Henry Burnham, six acres. Crops bought by E. D. Farnham are: Bert Stiles, six acres; Chas. Riordan, 12 acres; Chas. Chandler, 11 acres; Frank Burnham, 25 acres. The price reported is from 27 to 30 cents, assorted. I do not know of any 1902 tobacco in the grower's hands. Steam has not been used any where in this locality. C. W. Vibert has opened his ware- house. He packs for L. Osterweise and has eight hands. H. S. Powers is sorting and packing for Haas, with six or seven hands. E. D. Farnham has ten hands at work. Hot-Bed vSasH. Get our quotations on Hot-Bed Sash. We make them in standard sizes or in special sizes to suit the requirements of Tobacco Growers, and guarantee honest materials, the best of woriVINDO>V5. BLINDS. WINDO'W i\ND DOOR. FR.AME.S. CALIFORNIA REDWOOD DOORS A SPECIALTY. Cord for Sash and Ventilators. E, A, Carlisle and Pope Co,^ Successors io Le'bi Boles & Son, 2 Sudburx St.. Cor. HaymarKet Set-, Boston. Mass. But few growers use stable manure on hot-beds. Ground fish, stems and other fertilizers are plowed under in the fall. At the spring plowing some rake in a little starter when the seed is sown. 1 think plants are healthier not to fertilize in the spring. N. Morth Hadley A few sales have been made, the buyers being Haas of Hartford, L. M. Case of Winsted and Meyers & Son of New York. Some of those .selling were; Louis Emond, Leuman Hib- bard, Frank Scott and J. R. Hibbard. The prices average from seven to nine cents ; one grower sold at fourteen. I do not know of any 1902 tobacco in first hands. No steam has been used in taking down. W. A. Wilson, James Day and A. W. Hurd have opened warehouses, em- ploying twenty, twenty and twenty- five hands, respectively. No manure hot-beds have been tried in this locality. The best method of fertilizing seed-beds is to make an ap- FOR SALE. BOILERS AND ENGINES. Second Hand 35 horse power horizontal tubular Steatn Boiler all complete except steam fittings $70. 1 6-inch Ericsson hot air engine $45; 1 8-inch «6S ; 1 6-inch Rider hot air engine $95; one No. 5 Scollay Boiler good condition $50 ; and one No. 5 Weathered $50. GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES. New guaranteed black pipe full lengths at 93i cents foot. Second hand pipe as follows : 2 inch, ly^; I'/z inch, 5H cents ; 1!+ inch, 4>2 cents; 1 inch, 3 "^ cents ; ?4 inch, 3 cents; Second hand pipe cutters, $}.S0 ; No. 1 stock and dies, $4 ; No. 2 at $5 ; New guaranteed Hose, K inch, will stand 150 water pressure, 7>^ cents foot. Not guaranteed, at 4U cents. Job lot of old fire hose in good condition. New Hot-Bed and Greenhouse glass 6x8-7x9-8x10, $2.40 Box. 6x8-8x10 double glass at $2.75 ; 16x24 double glass at $3.50 Box. HOT=BED SASH complete from $1.50 UP. Send for catalogue. GULF CYPRESS GREENHOUSE MATERIAL. WE FURNISH EVERYTHING FOR BUILDING. | Metropolitan Material Company, S. JACOBS ietz Lanterns burn steadily, ;iiul can be de- pended upon i'very time. 1 1 you have I rifd oil-stoves ' or unreliable lanterns, and become dis- jjTusted with smoke-killing- and low tem- peratures, we ask you to give the Dietz O. K. Lantern a trial. Let your dealer show you one, or send to us for a catalogue. R. E. BIETZ COMPANY Greenwich, corner Laight Street, NEW YORK CITY. ESTABLiISHED 1840 ^hQ New England Tobacco Grower HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, FEBRUARY, I904 Annual Convention Twenty-flrst Meeting of tKe Ne'w England Tobacco Groovers' Association THE twenty-first annual conven- tion of Tiie New England To- bacco Growers' Association was held at the state capitol in Hartford, J'uesday, January 12, 1904, commencing at 11 a. m. The president of the Association, Edmund Halladay, called the meeting to order, and the secretary of the Asso- ciation read the call for the meeting, and also the minutes of the last con- vention. On motion of M. W. Frisbie, the minutes were approved. The report of the treasurer, showing a balance of if!(3l.78 was read, and was approved by the Association on motion of W. E. Burbank, seconded by M. W. Frisbie. On motion of Col. E. N. Phelps it was voted that the members present should pay to the treasmer the annual fee of one dollar for the year 1904, and accordingly the names of those making such payment were enrolled by the secretary and treasurer. Col. E. N. Phelps moved that a committee of three be named to nom- inate a ticket for the election of direc- tors, and the motion being carried, the president appointed Col. Phelps, Thad- deus Graves and William S. Pinney. The committee reported the follow- ing candidates for the board of direc- tors: William F. Andross, South Windsor; Joseph H. Pierce, Enfield; M. W. Frisbie, Southington; William S. Pinuey, Suffield; H. W. Alford, Poquonock; Col. E. N. Phelps, Wind- sor; B. M. Warner, Hatfield; F. K. Porter, Hatfield, Albert Hurd, North Hadley; J. C. Carl, Hatfield; C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland; W. H. Porter, Agawam; Lyman A. Crafts, East Whatley; James S. Forbes, Burnside; George C. Eno, Simsbury: W. E. Bur- bank, Suffield; E. C. Hills, Southwick; James Morgan, Hartford ; H. H. Aus- tin, Suffield ; Charles H. Ashley, Deer- field ; and H. S. Frye, Pocjuonock. On motion of H. S. Frye, seconded by H. W. Alford, the report of the committee was accepted and those named were elected directors. The president was directed, on motion of Owen E. Case, to appoint a committee of five to draft resolutions, and the following were naiued: Thad- deus Graves, Owen E. C^ase, H. S. Frye, George A. Harmon, and Paul Ackerly. Mr. Frye declining to serve, H. W. Alford was appointed in his place. On motion of H. S. Frye, it was voted to amend the constitution of the Association, Article III, Section 1, as follows; In the first sentence, after the word "annually " insert the words "by ballot;" after the word "or " strike out the words "at such times;" and insert in place thereof the words "in case;" and after the word "occur," insert the woid "then;" so that the sentence as amended shall read: "The officers of this comjiany shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secre- tary and Treasurer, (the last two offices mentioned may be filled by one person), who shall be chosen annually by ballot, or in case a vacancy shall occur, then by the Board of Directors." The Association proceeded (on motion of W. E. Burbank, seconded by Col. Phelps) to the election of officers; and on the motion of B. M. Warner, seconded by W. E. Burbank, Col. Phelps was instructed to cast one ballot for the election of officers as fol- lows: President, Edmund Halladay; Vice-President, Thaddeus Graves; Sec- retary and Treasurer, Paul Ackerly. The ballot was cast and Col. Phelps declared the unanimous vote for the re- election of the officers named. A recess was then taken until 2 p. m. Upon the re-assembling of the con- vention Thaddeus Graves, as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, reported that it had been deemed unnecessary at this time to present any resolutions regarding the tariff or other classes of legislation. The Committee reported the following resolution: Resolved, That in addition to the annual January meeting of the New England Tobacco Growers' Asso- ciation in Harttord, a summer meeting of this Association be held in .Spring- field on or about the first day of Au- gust, 1904, the exact date and ari-ange- ments to be announced by the Presi- dent of the Association. On motion of W. E. Burbank this resolution was unanimously adopted. An interesting address was made by Pr. E. H. Jenkins on various subjects connected vvitii t(;bacco culture Archibald Dixon Shamel gave an ad- dress on tobacco seed selection. On motion of W. E. Burbank the thanks of the Association was voted to the speakers. The meeting was then adjourned. Hadley The American Tobacco Company has bought the following crops of 1903: Louis Pellissier, five acres; John May- uard, five acres; Horace Cook, three acres; Watson Dickinson, f )ur acres; N. J. Powers, four acres; James Welch, five acres. The following sales were made to the T. F. McGrath Company: W. L Keefe, 13 acres; Hickey Bros. 1.5 acres; Anton Grobin, nine a:res; Norton Bros., three acres. Prices from 10 to 12 tents. There has been no steam used in taking down. About one-half the crop is still hanging. There is only one crop of 1902 in the grower's hands. It consists of nine cases. W. L. Keefe. New Milford The American Tobacco Company has bought several crojjs in this section for shipment to Richmond, Va. Prices range from six to thirteen cents. Mr. Halpin has opened his ware- house, employing about 75 men. C. F. Schoverling has bought and packed a few crops. E. A. vVildniau has opened his pack- ing house, buying only Connecticut Valley tobacco. He employs about foity men. In this vicinity plants are mostly grown under cloth, be3s being en- riched with manure and fertilizer. No tobacco has been taken down by steaming, and very few have stripped their entire crops. H. O. Warner. East Hartford Uninterrupted employment at the tobacco warehouses is now anticipated by the assorters and warehouse hands, who have had to be idle so much dui- ing the winter on account of the cold, dry weather. The warehouse of Denuerlein & Sons is in operation under the charge of Edward E. King. Carney Brothers have been rushing the work of stripping and assorting. Granby Station Wilbur S. Miller has .sold his 1903 crop to George Mitchelson of St. Paul, at p. t. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Recent vSales of Crops Reports From Variotis Connectictit Valley Tobacco Towns Windsor Locks Recent sales are: Henry Drake, five acres at 23 ^^ cents assorted, to Noble & Keefe of Westfield; Albert Eprtine, ten acres, 18 cents in bundle, to Bid- well & Loomis, Springfield; R. Cortelo, forty acres, 18 cents in bun- dle, to a Pennsylvania firm. The crop in Windsor Locks, is very good, con- sidering the season. The soil is a sandy loam, on which tobacco grows more rapidly than on the heavier soils. There is very little 1903 in this town, probably 35 cases in all. No steam was used to dampen to- bacco this season. I tried it three years ago but do not like it. Steam does not give even moisture, some laths will be very wet and others dry. Along the river in the fall there is a fog that lasts till 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning, giving tobacco a perfect damp. I have taken down early with fog damp for a number of years and find it much better than most .storms. Manure hot-beds, glass and cloth are used here with good results. I use glass and oil cloth, with lanterns in the bed every eight feet. The plants grow even and are early enough for this section. In 1890 I built a brick flue under 150 feet of seed-bed. I got very early plants, but not enough of them. Only those over the flue. In 1895 I tried circulating hot water through pipes in the beds. The plants grew fast near the pipes but were not strong: the rest of the bed looked stunted. Since then I have stuck to cloth and lanterns. In getting beds ready in the fall, give them a good dressing of cotton seed and dry ground fish, then cut them deep in the spring with a wheel har- row. After they warm up use the Acme harrow and get them ready for the seed and cover. This gives plants early enough for this place. At C. C. Graves some shade-grown is being assorted. Jos. Amstead. Suffield Several crops have been bought by Meyer & Mendelsohn. Charles C. Bissell is home from a tiip to Georgia. Artnur Sikes has bought the grist mill of the Village Water Company at Mapleton to remove the building. The SufEeld Agricultural Society has elected officers as follows. Presi- dent, Waldo S. Knox; vice-presidents, E. Kellogff, B. L. Alderman; treas- urer, James O. Haskins; secretary, W. Stiles; directors, Jewett Wright, C. Knox, E. N. Austin, Edmund Halladay, O. L. Dart, Edgerton Hemenway; mar- shal, O. L. Dart; superintendent of poultry, John R. Jones; superintend- ent of grounds, Edmund Halladay. Henry Adams and Kelak Cooper have sold their crops to Meyer & Mendelsohn of New York, who opened their warehouse January 13. Mr. Mendelsohn has been in SuflBeld, look- ing at tobacco. Fire in the northwest corner of Suf- field, Sunday evening, January 17 destroyed a dwelling, a tobacco barn and two stock barns, with buildings attached, on the farm rented by Henry Phelps from Mrs. Henrj' Mather. A quantity of tobacco was burned. The fire started from the explosion of a lantern, which fell as the hired man, Charles Burke, was hanging it up. The loss, $3,000, is partly covered by insurance. Enfield Recent sales of tobacco are: Chas. Pollock and Frank H. Abbe, to Starr Brothers; and Welch Brothers to Hins- dale Smith & Company, Springfield. Most of the 1903 crop is still in the farmer's hands. Wm. J. Miller and Wm. K. Henry have delivered their thirteen-acre crop to Hinsdale Smith & Company; price 30 cents. We expect to increase our acreage this year. Starr Brothers have opened their warehouse with quite a number of hands. A number of the farmers have decided to assort and sweat their own tobacco. W. J. Miller. Deerfield E. C. Cowles and James Butler have recently sold their crops cf ten and seven acres, respectively. Prices re- ported at 14 and 15 cents in the bundle. Do not know of any 1903 tobacco in first hands in town. No steam has been used in this vicinity for taking down the crop. No sorting has been done here but several are talking of starting soon. Manure is not used in hot-beds to any extent, the usual method being to use commercial fertilizer in the fall, with a light application in the spring. Cloth beds are used to a large extent, though some use glass, which I much prefer, if properly attended to. The storm of January 33-34 gave growers a chance to take down a large portion of the crop still hanging. Arthur W.^re Ball. Meiv Hartford A tobacco sorting room has been fitted up by H. J. Standclift in his building near the iron bridge, for the sorting and curing of his crop of shade- grown tobacco. Early Spring Farmers in the western section of Connecticut anticipate an early spring and are preparing for early plowing and planting. Westfield Conditions are not favorable for sales, taking down or stripping. Those who have sorting underway report a much better percentage of wrappers than was at first thought possible. Bert Fowler has his crop nearly completed, both in taking down and sorting, as have also Will Thayer, Henry Bosshart and Selectman Bush. Walter White has sorted some five acres. The Hillsiders are not asleep. San- ford & Son, Sanborn, Stiles & Dear- den have about one-half of their crops down and stripped. They report good color and fair quality. Hillside. Sunderland The damp of January 33 enabled many growers to finish taking down tobacco. Several sales have been made of late at from eight to twelve cents in bundle, the American Tobacco Company and Mendelsohn being the buyers. Steam has been used to some extent in taking down, with very satisfactory results. J. H. Day and R. E. Fairchild are running assorting shops, with 35 to 30 men each. Manure hot-beds have never been tried in this section, glass giving good satisfaction for early plants. Most of the fertilizer for beds is put on in the fall just before freezing. Cotton-seed meal gives good results Cyrus M. Hubbard. Southivick Tobacco is not yet all down. There has been but one sale recently. This was to H. L. Miller for Case at about eight cents in the bundle. There are two or three small crops of 1903 tobacco in the grower's hands, from 30 to 40 cases all told. No steam has been used by growers in this town. H. L. Miller is running a warehouse for Case and employes about 13 hands. Manure hot-beds have been used by the best growers with good results. Cranby Henry G. V^eits has opened his ware- house, employing about twenty hands. F. M. Colton has a similar number at his warehouse, and E. M. Cushman has five. In a few instances, manure hot-beds have been tried with good results. The best method of fertilizing seed- beds is to use cotton seed meal and Swift's Sure mixed with soil, and when plants are growing to use a like mixture for a top dre,ssing. No sales have been reported. Growers here do not use steam in taking down tobacco. Naubuc Herbert Olcott recently sold three acres of Seed-leaf at twenty-five and five. There is no 1902 Seed-leaf in this vicinity. Porter & Rau have opened tneir warehouse with a dozen hands. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Bowker's Tobacco Fertilizers have for over twenty years been producing the best and finest crops of tobacco in the Connecticut Valley, because they supply the plant food that is best for tobacco, and plenty of it to carry the crop through to maturity. Mr. B. N. Alderman. East Granby, Conn., says : " I am partial to the Bowker Tobacco Ash Fertilizer because it acts very quickly and also carries the crop through." Another grower writes : The Bowker goods also show the second year which is important in repeated use of the same ground." ¥^r\\X7"K IT H FERTILIZER COMPANY. DKJ W IV MLf rX. BOSTON and NEW YORK. 220 State Street, Hartford, Conn. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS Dr. E. H. Jenkins, director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, has published part one of the report for the year ending October 31, 1908, covering the subject of commer- cial fertilizers. The report, as usual, gives much valuable information con- cerning the analyses and valuations of the fertilizing materials in use in the state. Regarding cotton-seed meal. Dr. Jenkins says; Since large quantities of cotton-seed meal are now used iir this state as a to- bacco fertilizer, and in view of the oc- casional trouble in making settlement with those manufacturers whose ship- ments showed a low percentage of nitrogen, the attention of wholesale buyers is called to the following rules of the Interstate Cotton-seed Crushers' Association, adopted at the Memphis meeting. May 26-28, 1903. Rule 16. "Uottorr - Seed Meal, Choice — must be the product from choice cotton-seed cake, when finely ground, must be perfectly sound, sweet and light color (canary), free from ex- cess of lint and hulls. Analysis must contain at least 8 per cent, ammonia. ' ' Rule 17. "Prime— must be made from prime cake, finely ground, of sweet odor, reasonably bright in color, yellow, not brown or reddish, and free from excess of lint or hulls, and by analysis must contain at least 8 per cent." (of ammonia) "for meal from Texas and the Mississippi Valley and 7 ^2 per cent, for meal from the South Atlantic States." Rule 46. Meal. "Two ounces or more from a sack shall constitute a sample of meal and must be drawn so as to fairly represent . the entire con- tents of the bag. Twenty samples from each carload or 50 sacks from each 100 tons, if not shipped in car lots, shall be suflBcient to represent a shipment." Hence if a bargain is made for "Choice" cotton-seed meal, the seller must deliver meal containing at least eight per cent, of ammonia, which is equivalent to 6.59 per cent, of nitro- gen or 41.19 per cent, of protein. If bargain is made for "Prime" cotton-seed from Texas or the Mississippi Valley, the delivered meal must con- tain at least the jiercentages named above. But if '"Texas or the Missis- sippi Valley" is not specified in the order, the buyer may have to content himself with l}-^ per cent, of ammonia, equal to 6.18 per cent, nitrogen or 38.62 per cent, protein; which is very low grade. Cheap Southern Fertilizers An explanation of the source of some of the material used in low-grade fertilizers used in the Southern States may be gained from a real estate ad- vertisement in the Oarolinas, inserted by a man who has an undeveloped slat© quarry for sale. He tells of the mar- ket for roofing and building slate, and concludes: "The scrap slate finds ready sale as fertilizer filler." Warning to Farmers L. A. Clinton, director, Storrs Agri- cultural Experiment Station, warns farmers against heeding advertise- ments recommending them to grow ginseng and offering to supply seed and roots. He has carefully investigated the gardens of many growers of gen- sing, and he is certain there is no profit in that industry for the ordinary farmer. Cold Weather and Peaches J. H. Hale, of Glastonbury, who a week or so ago said that the cold snap had killed the peach crop for this year in Connecticut, has made further in- vestigation and now says that from re- ports received from various sections of the state he learns that at elevations of fifty to one hundred and fifty feet above the river, not only the buds but trees are killed. At levels of two hundred to three hundred feet, no live buds can be found but the trees are only slightly injured. At elevations of four hundred feet and over the buds are in such condition as to warrant a fair crop. Hail Jh Cotton The firm name of a leaf tobacco brokerage house at Louisville is Hail & Cotton. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Problems Dr. E. H. JenKins Addresses tKe Neiv England Tobacco Groovers* ^Association AT the annual meeting of the New England Tobacco Growers' Association. Dr. E. H. Jenkins, Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Ex- jjeriment Station spoke in part as fol- lows: The important (luestion is the grow- ing of a sound crop of tobacco that will sell well, for all crops, even if sound, do not sell with the same readiness. Havana and Broadleaf have long been in cultivation in the tobacco towns of New England, and for 60 years or more tobacco growing has been a great industry of this region. In spite of competition from foreign fields and many changes of business conditions it has continued to be a paying industry. I have been a tobacco grower for about ten years. I have not worked in the field so much as some of those present, but I have followed very closely the various operations at all seasons of the year. On the experi- ment plot at Poquonock we have grown some of the worst tobacco ever pro- duced and some of the best. As to the everlasting subject of fer- tilizer: On our land at Poquonock we have tried many experiments with different fertilizers, and while the re- sults from these tests may be instruc- tive, yet we cannot speak ijositively of the results as applied to any other soil that is not exactly like our soil at Poquonock. One thing that we find our soil re- quires is humus. We tried raising crimson clover as a cover crop, but it is not, at least in the northern part of Connecticut, a perfectly sure crop. As to rye, some are pleased with it and some are not. The trouble is that the growers allow it to grow too long. In our five-year experiments we used stable manure, and after that series was concluded and we had a severe drouth the places where the manure had been applied in previous years showed much less effect of the dry weather. Cotton-seed meal is still the standard source of nitrogen for home mixtures, and at the present prices it is not especially expensive. The lower grades we used to be able to distin- guish at once because of the pieces of black hull that were in it, but a con- cern in Memphis has found a way of grinding the hulls very fine, and this change.'? the color from black to a light brown, which can be scarcely distin- guished when mixed in the meal. But color is no longer a sure guide for the quality of cotton-seed meal ; in fact, the off-color meals are just as good or- . dinarily as the prime. Castor jiomace in certain years and on certain lauds gives very good re- sults. If you take cotton-seed meal, which is quick to dissolve, as the source of nitrogen, and have cold, wet weather early in the season, and then dry and warm you will have a crop still growing when it ought to be ripening, and if that is so it will be dark and greenish tobacco. Castor pomace acts better in such a case. In the five-year tests we ti-ied dried fish scrap at |35 a ton, which gave us very good results. I would not advise its use year after year, but I think fish scrap would be good to piece out with and give a finish to the tobacco. Carbonate of potash, high grade, almost chemically pure, has been used more this year than ever before. In our five-year tests, carbonate of potash, as wood ashes, cotton hull ashes was found very satisfactory. In practice the past season the high grade carbon- ate has been mixed with cotton-seed meal and applied immediately, or soon after mixing, as if allowed to stand very long the mixture cakes and de- teriorates. Regarding potash manures: If I were raising a crop of tobacco I should prefer to use carbonate of potash generally but not always. It will take out the moisture of the soil quicker than sulphate, if used every year. I should not be afraid to use sulphate half of the time. Nor am I so deathly afraid of chlor- ine or muriate. It is a fact that with muriate you can get much more to- bacco, but it injures the burn. A certain amount does not hurt tobacco. If you put on ten cords of stable manure you will put on as much chlor- ine as if you used a ton of commercial fertilizer containing 1.7 per cent, chlorine. If you use an abundance of potash you neutralize the effects of chlorine. I should not like to use sulphate year after year, and if I used muriate of potash I would expect to get a bad burn, but if I u.sed a small amount it would not hurt the tobacco. In harvesting and handling we have all had experience, and yet I feel that the crop is only half done when put in the shed, and needs more care than when growing. Too many feel that when tobacco is in the shed we can let things go as they will. Yet time watching the barns is well-spent; sudden squalls would do a lot . of damage, and so would having the doors closed when they should be open. Curing a crop does not merely mean wringing the water out of it; it is a fermentation that goes on in the shed, and which should be closely looked after. In our growing of tobacco under cloth this season, we have been work- ing toward the obtaining of a more uniform type of Sumatra tobacco, and in 1904 we shall continue this same in- vestigation in our field under cloth. After making his address, Dr. Jen- kins continued the discussion of to- bacco problems by replies to questions asked by the growers. Warehouse Point Work has begun at Peterson's ware- house and many hands are employed on the crops which have been bought in this neighborhood. Southampton Several sales have been made recently, and considerable tobacco is at this writing moving to the ware- houses. A crop that pays may not pay as well as it should. Potash is a plant fciod which all crops mu 316 Pearl Street. Hartford, Conn. New York, N. Y. Albany, N. Y. Ballimnre, Md. Buffalo, N. Y'. Pittsburg-, Pa. Pliilartelpliia, Pa. New Orleaus, La. Montreal. Que. Vancouver,B.C. Boston, Mass. London, E. C. Toronto, Ont. BUREJtU OF SOILS Professor Milton Whitney has pub- lished his annual report as Chief of the Bureau of Soils, Department of Agriculture. He descril)es the contin- uation of the soil surveys in the Con- necticut Valley, both in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and also reports similar surveys in Florida, Alabama, Kentucky. Pennsylvania, Texas, Wis- consin and other states. Mr. Whitney also reports on the work of the Bureau in connection with the shade growing industry in the Connecticut Valley, and also the ex- periment in the force sweating of out- door tobacco. Of this feature, Pro- fessor Whitney says: "During the same time experiments were being carried on in two ware- houses in Hartford, in bulk fermenting the native Havana seed tobacco. The old method of case force sweating and the natural case sweat, which are mostly used, are unsatisfactory both to the dealer and the manufacturers, thousands of dollars' worth of tobacco being damaged every year by mold and rot. "In these two warehouses bulks containing from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds ■were made, and the temperature was not allowed to go higher than 115 de- grees F. This tobacco came through the fermenting proce.ss with light colors and no sign of damage of any kind. Most of the tobacco was sold for 85 cents per pound, which is far above the price usually obtained by the packers of Havana seed tobacco. This experiment was watched by the dealers and packers, many of them ex- pressing their intention of adopting the bulk fermentation of the Havana seed in the future. ' ' The Cohn Plantations A. Cohn & Company have bought more land, and now have a tobacco plantation of 18,000 acres in Decatur County, Georgia, on the Florida line. They cultivate Havana and shade- grown Sumatra on a large scale, emjiloying 1,500 hands and being under an annual expense of half a million dollars. Canadian Trade The Canadian leaf and cigar trade is reported to be in a very satisfactory condition, the upbuilding of the North- west contributing to the growth of the business. Pennsylvania Factories Cigar makers in Pennsylvania are having a prosperous season, with heavy orders, esjiecially from the West, for the cheap and medium priced brands. Connecticut shade-grown is being used for this trade in increasing ipiantities, although the most recent purchases of this type of tobacco have been in the better grades, for the wrapping of the higher priced brands. West Suffield More tobacco has come down, and there have been a few sales; but the trade is still in a waiting attitude. AiUgfjcaiif^tjMBaiiK JOSEPH H.King. President. o^Ph"!. 803 Main Street, ^ WlLLJAM J.DlXON. — Cashier. CLOSE ATTENTION to the interests of our de- positors is always our first consideration. The absolute safety of their deposits, and our extens- ive facilities, quick col- lections, modern methods and convenience of lo- cation have secured for us an ever increasing bus- . iness among those desir- 1 ing the safest banking THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER ^>ie New England Tobacco Grower Published monthly by Tobacco Grower Publishing Co. S3 Trumbull street, Hartford Fire Insurance Building Hartford, Connecticut, Subscription, One Dollar a Year. Ten Cents a Copy. Official Journal of The New Eng^land Tobacco Growers' Association. PAUL i\CKE:B.I.Y, Editor. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Elected by The New 'England Tobacco Growers' Associatiou : Connecticut. Luther M. Case, Winsted. William J. Hayes, Tariflfville. Col. E. N. Phelps, Windsor. W. E. Burbank, Thompsonville. Edward W. Dewey, Granby. William F. Andross, East Hartford. Newell St. John, Simsbury. James S. Forbes, Buriiside. H. O. Warner, New Milford. A. H. Clark, Poquonock. Ariel Mitchelson, Tariffville. H. H. Austin, Suffield. P. H. Woodford, Avon. Georg-e Bidwell, East Granby. Allison H. Brown, Poquonock. S. P. Newberry, South Windsor. L. F. Bronson, East Canaan. A. C. Sternbere, West Hartford. J. H. Pierce, Enfield. M. M. Frisbie, Southing-ton. L. A. Lee, Barkhamsted. A. N. Shepard, Gildersleeve. George Mitchelson, St. Paul. Massachusetts. Thaddeus Graves, Hatfield. K. A. Dearden, Westfield. H. L. Miller. Southwick. Lemuel Graves, Whately. James H. Day, Sunderland. B. M. Wainer, Hatfield. C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland. E. Cyrus Miller, Uaydenville. Vermont. H. E. Gassett. Putney. Charles Brown, Westminster. New Hampshire. G. S. Smith, Hinsdale. Volume IV. Number 6. Entered at the Hartford Post-Office as Second Class mail matter. HARTFORD, FEBRUARY, 1904. SEED SELECTION ^CONSIDERABLE attention was ^^ given at the annual convention of the New England Tobacco Growers' Association to the subject of seed selec- tion, and so important is this thing to the tobacco growers of this region that no apology need be offered for the con- tinued discussion even at this time of the year, when seed planting is nearer at hand than seed selecting. Yet seed selection is a work that can well be undertaken with an early start, and the planting of known types of seed this spring and the following up of the variations through the summer is something that can be done by every progressive grower. The New England Tobacco Grower should not be misunderstood as proph- esying that any miracle is to be per- formed through the medium of seed selection. Interest in the carrying out of this idea means much careful thought and study and possibly much tedious work on the part of the grower who goes into it ; if it is worth doing at all it is worth doing well. Like all endeavors which are not paid for by the day or .season, it must depend upon future years for its reward, and even this may fail. The State of Connecticut and the Federal Government have both given attention to. this subject, and will do so this season. But no government experiments or series of investigations can fully take the place of individual eifort, and the best way for the tobacco growers to put themselves in a position to get the most benefit from the government work is to co-operate in the search for information by doing a little of it themselves on their own farms. To thus supplement the scientific re- search with the results of practical growing is the best way toward progress. Many of the growers, probably a majority, may feel that the first refer- ence to seed selection is something which need not personally interest them ; that they are careful men with well established and well carried out plans for the preservation of a suitable supply of seed from year to year or from one particularly thrifty season for a period of years. Yet there is a place for a good system of seed selec- tion; it is bookkeeping for the plant's sake; it is the recording of important details which it is altogether impos- sible for any man to carry in his head from one season to another. There are extra fine plants in every field of tobacco, of whatever varietj', and it is to these plants that the to- bacco grower naturally turns when selecting those plants which are to be saved for seed. It ia impossible to foretell, however, whether any partic- ular plant will reproduce itself true to type, and where the seed from a num- ber of plants can be kept separate and the plants from each of them traced, something can be accomplished towaid the building up of a vigorous strain of seed which can better be depended up- on for growing plants of fixed, uniform type than seed selected in any other way. The study of plots of tobacco plants grown from seed from ancestors of known, recorded peculiarities, will be in itself a source of information on other things than seed selection. ASSORTING SHJtDE~GROWM I 'DECIDED opinions are expressed ^"^ on botn sides as to the assorting of shade-grown tobacco, some advoca- ting the handling of the crop in much the same way as the outdoor tobacco, and others holding that it should be graded with considerable care in order that the packings may closely resemble imported tobacco when it goes to the cigar-manufacturer. But there seems to be no question that the manufacturer himself prefers to have the tobacco thoroughly assorted and graded, for he is accustomed in buying the imported wrapper tobaccos to receive the various bales so dis- tinctly graded that by working a pound or two he is able to determine accurately the number of cigars he can wrap with a certain bale. Conse- quently, he is better able to size up the tobacco and to decide what he can afford to pay for the leaf. If he is in doubt, he will probably leave it in his own favor in figuring upon the value of the tobacco to his shop. THE SUMMER MEETING. ■KI Y holding a summer meeting at •*^ Springfield, the New England To- bacco Growers' Association increases its opportunities for usefulness as an organization, not only because it means two meetings in a year instead of one, but because the assembling in Spring- field will bring about increased interest among the growers in the upper part of the Connecticut Valley. The season, likewise, is one when growth and harvesting are the subject of closer attention than in January, when fertilizers chiefly are under con- sideration ; and the interchange of ideas at the close of July will be of value to all of the growers. Summer is a busy season among the growers, yet the day for the Spring- field meeting can well be spared by the busiest, and the time chosen,— about the first of August,— comes when there is often the period of little work with many crops. THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER P EJiCHES \^ GAIN have the peach trees of ■^^^ New England had their ears frostbitten, and the growers of this fruit report that there -will be no crop whatever in 1904. Accepting this ad the fact, there is a remarkably com- mendable certainty about the uncer- tainty of the peach crop. It it can be foretold in the -winter that there will be an absolute failure of the peach crop the coming summer, sad as it may be, it lets the orchard man know where he is, and he can be- gin earlier to economize than can the farmer whose expenses run on without check until it is shown that the weather has ruined his hay or wrought havoc with some other crop. •-^^ February Buying A good deal of tobacco will change ownership in the Connecticut Valley during the month of February. Tlie warehouses have been late in starting up, but from now on will be run at full capacity. International Sales Under orders from the Hartford County Superior Court, Receiver Fred B. Griffin of The International Tobacco Culture Corporation has been making sales of tobacco, b(ith outdoor and shade-grown. Cigar'Making Machines Several inventors, notably one New Englander, are hard at work on the improvement of cigar-making machin- ery, with the hope that long filler, well-constructed cigars can be put out at much less expense than by hand. Jtn Eventful January The month of January has been noted for more tban its unparalleled cold, as the disasters to life and prop- erty by fire, mine explosions, railroad accidents, inundations and tornadoes, have seldom been equalled in one month in this country. Tobacco Lath Patent William U. Chapin of Oollinsville has been allowed a patent for a to- bacco lath, intended for the hanging of primed leaves. There are notches in the lath, with binding means for holding the leaves in them. Fiji Islands The cannibals and ex-cannibals of the Fiji Islands are trying to grow to- bacco from Sumatra seed, and have snipped sample lots of the leaf to New Zealand. Successful Invention The postmaster of Geneva, Wash., had a bit of spare time of late and de- voted it to inventing a new kind of gunpowder. When it was finished he put it in the stove to dry. The inven- tion was most successful. Pine Meadow Luther M. Case has 40 hands at work in his tobacco warehouse here. Neu> Fairfield Part of the 1903 crop is still hanging on the poles. One sale has been re- ported, A. A. Brush having sold; price not stated. There are several good crops in town. N orris Hatch has fifteen cases of 1903 tobacco still un.sold, J. R. Hatch. Feeding Hills Hinsdale Smith & Co. of Springfield have begun operations in their newly- arranged tobacco-packing house and have a number of men at work. Wapping h. L. Grotta of Warehouse Point, Haas and Haitman Brothers of Hart- ford were in this place recently pur- chasing tobacco. Among those who have sold are George Gilbert and Jud- son Rockwell. Hackett brothers have sold a part of their crop. Hartford The insurance rate on tobacco in wai-ehouses containing steam-heating plants has been generally raised by the underwriters from one and one- quarter per cent, to one and one-half per cent. Sandy Hook, Connecticut A carload of tobacco bought by The American Tobacco Company was shipped from Hawleyville Jan. 13. Their agent is buying up another car- load. Henry Camp of Southville has sold his crop of three acres. Frederick Scheike and William Scheike have their 1903 crops still unsold. No steam is used to dampen tobacco. Our usual method of preparing seed- beds is to fill the bed with well-rotted manure spaded in, then plenty of good fertilizer worked in, in the spring. For St. Louis Rates The passenger agents at a meeting at St. Louis decided to recommend to their respective traffic organizations reduced rates to the world's fair from all parts of the United States. Spe- cifically they agreed to ask for: — First — A season excursion rate to St. Louis, beginning April 35 and continu- ing until November 30, selling tickets during that period at 80 per cent, of double the one-way fare. Second — Excursion rates with final return limit of 60 days at rate of one and one-third fare. Third — Excursion tickets of 10 days' limit, in territory 200 miles distant from St. Louis, at rate of one fare plus $3. Fourth — That coach excursions be not run oftener than one day each week by each line at rates, and with limits and other conditions as may be agreed upon by interested lines. These propositions will be formally considered at the meeting of the repre- sentatives of the trunk lines. New England passenger association and central passenger association in New York February 10. Farm House Burned The R. B. Stroud farm honse on the road from North Grosvenordale to Thompson, Conn., was burned Janu- ary 32. Neighbors did all in their power to save some of the buildings but were unable to do si. The cause of the fire is unknown. The loss is estimated at |2,000. Former Congressman General Stephen W. Kellogg, former congressman and delegate to the Re- publican national convention which nominated Lincoln, and one of the best known men of Connecticut, died Jan- uary 37 at his home in New Haven. His death was due to congestion of the lungs. He was 83 years old. His ill- ness was only of a few hours' duration and he had been attending to his busi- ness up to a day or two previous. He was a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, the New Haven County and Waterbury Bar Association, the Waterbury Club, and the Union League Olubs of New Haven and New York. fS.SOO for Two-Penny Stamp An unused blue two-penny postage stamp of Mauritius, issue of 1847, has been sold in London for $5,800. Netv England Tobacco Growers' Association. President EDMUND HJtLLJtDMY, Suffleld, Conn. Vice-Presidedt THJtDDBVS GRJIVES, Hatfield, Mass. Secretary and Treasurer PJIVL MCKBRLY, Rockvllle, Conn. Office SS Trumbull Street, Hartford, Conn. Directors. Wm. F. Andross, South Windsor, Oonn. Joseph H. Pierce, Enfield, Conn. M. W. Frisbie, Sonthington, Conn. William S. Pinney, Suffield, Conn. H. W. Alford, Poquonock, Conn. Colonel E. N. Phelps, Windsor, Conn. B. M. Warner, Hatfield, Mass. P. K. Porter, Hatfield, Maes. Albert Hurd, North Hadley, Mass. J. C. Oarl, Hatfield, Mass. C. M. Hubbard, Sunderland, Mass. W. H. Porter, Agawam, Mass. Lyman A. Crafts, East Whately, Mass. James S Forbes, Burnside, Conn. George O. Eno, Simsbury, Conn. W. E. Burbank, Suffield, Conn. E. O. Hills, Southwick, Mass. James Morgan, Hartford, Conn. H. Austin, Suffield, Conn. Charles H. Ashley, Deerfield, Mass. H. S. Frye, Poquonock, Conn. 10 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Meyer and MendelsoHn PurcKase the Five Large Sutter V^areKotises at Cast Hartford pN important move in tlie to- bacco business in Connecticut became known January 13 in tlie sale of the East Hartford warehouse of Sutter Brothers, Inc., to Meyer and Mendelsohn, of Ifiy Water street, New York. The build- ing is one of the largest and best equipped in New England, and, having been built only three years ago, con- tains many new ideas as to plans and equipment. The warehouse is rjOxlSl, partly of brick, and the lest frame, having a capacity of 10,000 cases, the force- sweat room accommodation being 350 cases. The price, including the building, equipment and a lot 131x104, is stated as $16,000. Meyer and Menilelsohn are favoraVjly known in Connecticut, and the pur- chase is received with miich agreeable comment by East Hartford residents. The firm was established by Max Meyer and Samuel Mendelsohn, and for nine years past has included also the sons of the founders, — B. G. Meyer and Alfred Mendelsohn. B. G. Meyer has taken possession of the warehouse, and will make a number of improve- ments in the building. The purchases made by the firm last year were chieflj' in SufBeld, where the firm has been buying again this season. Broad Brook Edmund Smith, of Hinsdale Smith & Companj-, is back from Cuba, where he has been visiting the plantations operated by the firm. The large tobacco warehouse of R. C. Lasbury was destroyed by fire the night of January 30. With ths building was burned 300 cases of 1903 tobacco owned by Gans Brothers & Company of New York. The loss is abort $20,000, partly covered by insurance. Mr. Lasbury had made a trip through the building, as was his custom, before going to bed, and noticed nothing un- usual. The tire is supposed to have started from the furnace. The fire destroyed an adjoining shed, but 100 cases of 1903 tobacco and a large quantity of 1903 tobacco in the Dundle were safely carried out before the flames spread there. The Broad Brook fire department was successful in saving the house and barn nearby. fiolling of Cigars "It is an everyday occurrence with me to hear men complain of poorly made cigars," said a well known tobac- conist in discussing the matter with one of his patrons. "It is not always because a cigar is indifferently or badly made that the wrapper curls up and comes off. Very much oftener this comes from the cigar having been rolled by a maker's left hand and later smoked from the hand of a righthanded man. "All cigarmakers must use both hands equally well, and economy, both in time and material, is the prevailing rule in tobacco factories. When a piece of tobacco is cut for the wrapper, it is cut on the bias and rolled from left to right on the tiller, and at the same time and by the other hand, the remaining pieces are used, being neces- sarily rolled in the opposite way. For this reason the man who holds a cigar in his right hand which always receives a few twists during the course of a smoke, rubs the wrapper the wrong way, and easily enough it becomes loosened. ' ' Sew Hartford The following sales of Havana have been made to Luther M. Case of Win- sted, the price paid in each case being 30 cents and the weight per acre about 1,800 pounds: J. W. Brown, five acres; G. W. Hotchkins, five acres; J. H. Stewart, two and one-half acres; G. W. Miller, four and one-half acres; A. W. Coe, three acres; George Roberts, three acres; H. M. Gates, five acres; John Smith, four acres; H. J. Stanclift, five acres. J. H. Stewart has sold to Luther M. Case three and one-quarter acres of shade-grown Havana at 40 cents a pound in the bundle, weight about 3, 000 pounds to the acre. H. M. Gates is having eight acres of shade-grown Sumatra assorted and packed at Olds & Whipple's warehouse in Hartford. J. H. Stewart has started up his warehouse for Luther M. Case with 30 hands. Steam has not been tried^here for taking down. No 1903 tobacco remains unsold in first hands; in fact, there has not been any tobacco left in first hands in this town since 1893, as far as I know. The approved local way of making seed-beds is to prepare the laud in the fall with stable manure, and to plough or spade under a light coat of fertilizer in the spring; then cover with glass. No manure hot-beds have been tried here. S. Burnside The tobacco shed of John J. Hickey, north of here, has been burned with the tobacco. The insurance on the building was $500, and on the tobacco 1700. Whately William Adkins has sold his crop to J. 0. Carl at 15 cents in the bundle. The warehouse at the station has been leased by George F. Pease, who will do custom assorting and force- sweating. Poquonock Noble & Keefe of Westfield have bought the crop of A. H. Brown. Several buyers have been giving attention to the unsold crops in this neighborhood. The strong-minded winter leaves doubt as to the earliness of spring, the signs being variously interpreted. Un- less prevented by the weather most of the Poquonock growers will try early planting. Noble & Keefe have also bought the crops of John Welch, F. W. Strickland and Addison Lampheare. A. & S. Hartman have bought the crop of Oscai Parsons. The Dandy Windmill tanks and towers are the best in the world. We carry a full line of these mills, pumps and tanks at Springfield, and are in position to put up a complete outfit of any size. If you are thinking of buy- ing a windmill, be sure to write to us for catalogues, prices and full infor- mation. We are sole agents for the State of Connecticut for the Challenge line. THE AGRICULTURAL STORE, (b. l. 15kagg co.) Springfield - - Massachusext.s APPARATUS Of all kinds, of large or small oapaciiy, Mounted & Portable Outfits. Send for sfjecial Catalmjae. HAND STEAM OR POWER PUMPS For Fac- tories or Private Use. FAIRBANKS-MORSE Gasoline Engines fniin 15 til 7."> llin-sf I'liwor lor ;ill .-.tTvicfS. Special Pumping Engines. PULLEYS, SHAFTING AND BELTING for I'MWrr K,|iuimiiciiI iif Fai-lorii-.-^ aii.l Mills. WINDMILLS, TANKS AND TOWERS, Pipe, Fittings and Hose. In writing fur Cutalngue pleiiso specify which one yoti want. "We make a speci.ilty of Water Supply Out- tits for Cai:c.i urow- ','■' '^1 j''""' '° "'" t'univ^uioii of oi)i-ii .Tiid cliHh covered lipids. Owing lo tile absence of wliifflelrees and traces closer work can be done ivith teams everywhere. It is the farmer's"Haady Harness," saves labor, and makes farm work easier. Invaluable to every fruit grower, orchard- ist .ind lumberman. Endorsed by users everywhere W rito to-day for free cataloirup. B. F. BAKER CO., 034 Main St.. Burnt Hills, N. Y. village. Falls Village in 1841. It is one of the old fashioned kind which was boltetl down on a timber. He ex- pects to cut the piece in .souvenirs. This rail was picked up on his farm in the town of Canaan, where it was thrown when replaced by a more ap- proved kind of rail. Pomological Meeting The thirteenth annual meeting of the Connecticut Pomological society will be held in Unity hall, Hartford, February 2 and 3. Old Resident of Warehouse Point Stephen Clark, an old resident of Warehouse Point, died Jan. 18, from the effects of a paralytic shock sustained Jan. 13. The shock paralyzed his right Bide and deprived him of speech and reason. The latter he onlj' par- tially regained a short time previous to his death. The deceased was 81 years of age antl was born in Walpole, N. H. When quite young he was taken to Shrewsbury, Vt. , where he remained until he moved to Warehouse Point in 1840. STABLE WORE IN CAK OK CARGO LOTvS Prompt Delivery Lowest Prices ^. M, Goodrich HARTFORD AND NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION COMPANY HARTFORD CONNE.CTICUT I. GoldsmitH ^ Co., TOBACCO BROKERS 208 Sheldon Street, Hartford, Conn. Washing Powder Made b_y s-«andCompanj CHICAGO Swiffs Washing' Powder —raft" CLOTHING CROCKER'' SILVtR!^^ Swift's Washing Powder is the Tidy Housewife's best friend. Try a package and see for yourself. SWIFT PROVISION COMPANY, lO JOHN STREET, BOSTON, MASS. u THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER Tobacco Seed Selection By A. D. SHamel. V. S. Department of Agri- ctxlture, ■Washineton, D. C. ( Coiiliniied from page l) leaf is undesirable because the wrap- pers will have a coarse rough appear- ance. Frequently such wrappers have undesirable flavor and aroma and lack grain and life. In such leaves the veins are usually large, reducing tbe possible number of wrappers per leaf. Too thin leaves are equally undesirable because when wrapped on cigars they are likely to break. The matter of color is of first importance, because the color in large part determines the appearance of the wrapper and the appearance of the cigar determines in part the sale. There is distinct differences in the thickness of leaves in different plants in the Held. On all of the fields, plants with thick coarse leaves were found growing beside plants with this papery leaves, and plants with leaves having the desirable thickness. The difference in color was especially marked. All shades from light yellow to deep green, were found growing side by side under similar conditions. There is frequently an unusual chang9 of color in the plants during the grow- ing season. It is not possible to state the reason for this change. There is no question, however, but that it is necessary in the selection of seed plants to study the plants from the earliest stage of growth until the leaves are fermented in order to be able to select those plants having the most desirable color. This point also holds true in the case of the thickness of leaves. The possibilities of securing an im- proved type as regards color and thick- ness of leaves, by the selection of seed from desirable plants may be compared with what has been accomplished in the improvement of corn and cotton. In the case of corn, it has been found that by the selection of seea ears hav- ing a higher per cent, of protein in their composition, the average per cent, in the crop had been gradually increased. In the same way the per cent, ot oil and starch has been in- creased in the crop by selection of seed ears with the highest per cent, of these elements of composition. In the case of cotton, the length and strength of fiber has been increased by selection of seed from plants producing the longest and strongest fiber. The cost of growing the crop is in- creased by the work of suckering. In an examination of different varieties of tobacco, there was found a small proportion of plants without suckers. The production of suckers is undoubt- edly indirectly detrimental to the leaf. If it is possible to control or re- duce their development by selecting seed from plants free from suckers, it will mean a considerable reduction of post in growing the crop as well as the saving of the plant's energy of growth for the development of leaves. Varia- tion was found, not only in numbers of suckers on the plant, but in their size. On some plants the suckers were very large, especially on the plants having many suckers, while other plants had few and small suckers. It seems prob- able that the growth of suckers may be cultivated by seed from suckerless plants. An important difference was found in the time of ripening of the leaves on the same plant and on different plants. Some of the plants in the fields were ready for priming or cut- ting a week before others. This varia- tion in maturity is especially important in that it suggests the possibility of securing earlier strains by the selec- tion of seed from the earliest matur- ing plants. In other crops such selec- tions have been made with the result that earlier strains have been devel- oped. Tobacco plants, vary in the produc- tion of seed. Some jalants produce a large number of pods, filled with heavy seed. Others produce a few pods which are in some cases filled with light seed. The weight of seed does not vary with the number of pods, as it was found as nearly as could be deter- mined by general observation, that the plant producing the largest number of seed pods, was usually the poorest plant and the pods were frequently not fully filled with seed. The strength and elasticity of the leaves varies especially as between different plants. It is probable that on the same plant the leaves are com- paratively uniform in strength as well as other characteristics, at least more so than as between different plants. The strength and elasticity is usually considered to depend upon the amount of gum, in that a lack of gum is thought to indicate a lack of elasticity and strength. The amount of gum varies between different plants in the same field, some plants having an ex- cess while others lack a sufficient sup- ply- No two tobacco plants are alike. In fact they seem to be more unlike than plants of other crops. The variations are most striking and seem to be uni- versal in all varieties. Therefore the opportunity for selection is certainly very great. In the foregoing discus- sion attention has been called to differ- ences between individual plants, which must be distinguished from another more striking and important form of variation. In the examination of the tobacco fields, plants were found of totally different type than the type ol the variety or any variety grown in Connecticut. These variations or mutations were more frequent in crops raised from newly imported seed, than in the crops of the native varieties. However, they weie found in all varieties and in all fields. This tend- ency to break the type, is a matter of general experience among growers. A notable instance in the produc- tion of a valuable variety from such variations is the case of the origin of the white hurley in 1864 by (ieorge Webb in Brown County, Ohio. Mr. Webb noticed the variation in type in the young plants in the seed-bed, and set out the wnitish cream-colored plants with the rest of his crop. He found that they retained their rich cream color and were of very early maturity. From the seed of these plants the White Burley type was pro- pagated. It is probable that many of our common varieties were developed by similar selections of new types of seed plants, but careful investigation into their history is necessary before % ADl THAT are those that reach just the class of peo- ple to whom you want to sell your goods. If you want to do business with the to- bacco growers of New England, the adver- tising medium to use is The New Eng- land Tobacco Grower. Intelligent adver- tising in The New England Tobacco Grower makes good customers. It brings not merely a tran- s i e n t trade, but stead}' business, for the tobacco growing industry is such that the grower finds himself in need of new equipment and new supplies at every season of the year. B%e NEW TOBACCO Hartfordt ENGLAND GROWER. Cpnnecticut* THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER 15 L^vwyvvww^'ywvvwywwwvk'wwwwww^wyv^v>^ LUTHBR M. CASE-, WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, Packer and Dealer in Connecticut Leaf Tobacco. Shade Grown ^^ Sumatra in Bales. :V^'-^_ ii M- Main Warehouse and Office, Pine Meadow, Conn. BRJiMCH WAREHOUSES: SoulhwicU, Mass.,— Foreman, H. L- Miller. East Canaan, Conn., — Foreman, L. F. Bronson. Barkhamsted, Conn., — Foreman, L. A. T^ee. North Halfielti. Mass.,— Foreman. AVillis Holden. New Hartford. Conn., — Foreman, James Stewart. SUMATRA PLANTATIONS: Pine Meadow, Conn., 25 Acres Barkhamsted, Conn., 20 Acres South wick, Mass., 15 Acres Always in the market for old Tobacco if well assorted and packed. ^ Havana Seed Wrap- pers a specialty, assorted and sized into thirty-two grades. ...... f^f^fmmm^mmmmmmfmm^^ff^fh. definite statenK'nts tn this rtiect can be made. The seed for a crop shotild be pro- duced in the region where the crop is grown. It \i> sometimes necessary to secure breeding stock from foreign sources. If the general crops of a region show evidences of liaving run cot, and improved strains are developed in other sections, it may prove advis- able to secure the improved seed stock rather than spend many years in the breeding and selection of the native varieties. Tobacco is one of the best illustrations of this principle of breed- ing. The directly imported Sumatra and Cuban varieties in the Conne'cti- cut Valley show greater individual variation, and diversity of type, that the strains which have been grown there for one or ,^more years. In one field of Cuban tobacco last season, part of the field was grown from seed direct from Cuba, while the remainder of the field was grown from seed produced in the Connecticut Valley tlie previous year, the original seed having come from Cuba. The difference in uniformity of plants in the two fields was most strik- ing. For instance in the fieltl from fresh Cuban seed, abotit one-third of the plants were of the so-called freak type, while in the field from Connecti- cut seed there was not more than one- twentieth of plants of this freak type. The freak plants were small, branch- ing, and produced very small almost w.irtlili'ss leaves. They flower from two to three weeks earlier than the desirable plants, and produce a large amount of seed. They are evidently reversions of some earlier unimproved types of tobacco. A careful compari- son of the crop from the freshly im- ported seed, with the crop from the Connecticut seed, led to the conclusion that the crop from the imported seed was most variable. A better illustration of this point is found in the case of the Sumatra variety. In a fi;]d of the Oonnectictit Valley last season, there were plants grown from seed direct from Sumatra, plants from seed grown in Connecticut the previous year, and plants from seed grown for two years in the Con- necticut Valley. The amount of variation in the crops was about in proportion to the number of years the strains had been giown in Connecticut. The plants from directly imported seed were the most variable, while the plants from the Connecticut seed were the least variable as between individ- ual plants, and were of the most uni- form and constant type. It is matter of universal experience among growers that when fresh seed is introduced into any region, the type breaks up and the plants are extremely variable. After the type has been grown in this region for several years it gradually becomes more uniform and constant. The statement is fre- quently made that the variety no matter how different from the native varieties, in a few years assumes the type of the native varieties. The reason given for this condition is the influence of soil and climate on the tobacco plants. However, our obser- vations lead us to believe that the change in type is due for the most part to the crossing of the imported vaiie- ties with the native varieties. This crossing is probably accomplished by the transfer of pollen from one variety to the other by bees, or insects of some character, an abundance of which were found in the flowers on all of the outdoor tobacco plants examined last season. There is every reason to be- lieve that by preventing cross fertiliza- tion, and by careful seed selection after the type of a variety of tobacco has be- come acclimated, it may be maintained in a uniform condition. {Coni-hidfd iti March Groii'fr) IT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW: The best place in Hartford to buy Jew- elry, to bu^- a watch, to have a watch repaired. It's over on Pearl street, just a little way from Main. GEORGE W. BALL, Diamond Broker and Jeweler, ^ > 65 PEARL ST., HARTFORD, CONN- J6 THE NEW ENGLAND TOBACCO GROWER WILLIAM FIRTH, President. FRANK B. COMINS, Treasurer THE AMERICAN MOISTENING COMPANY Received the HIGHEST AWARD on recommendation of the Franklin Institute for "Simplicity and Originality of Design" 0 Is the largest manufacturer of HUMIDIFIERS in the world, the last twenty years receiving the Highest Awards in this country and Europe for its AIR-MOISTENING SYSTEM. A NATURAL CONDITION FOR HANDLING LEAF OR OTHER TOBACCO MAY BE MAINTAINED BY OUR SYSTEM OF AIR-MOISTi:NING ANY PERCENTAGE OF MOISTURE CAN BE PRODUCED The following letter will suggest the value of our AIR-MOISTENING System in handling SHADE GROWN SUMATRA TOBACCO : OFFICE OF OLDS & WHIPPLE, Hartford, Conn., January 9th, ly03. American Moistening Company, 150 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass. >' Gentlemen: — Your system of humidification which we have recently installed in our tobacco warehouse is giving perfect satisfaction, we being able to make any atmospheric condition desired in our assorting room, thus obtaining perfect conditions for the curing and assorting of tobacco, especially in the curing and assorting of our shade-grown Su- matra tobacco, which tobacco is of very fine texture and requires a considerable degree ^^^ of humidity in handling. fco) The old system of evaporation pans or admitting steam into a barrel of water was very unsatisfactory; we not only had trouble in obtaining the moisture required, but in doing so, raised the temperature altogether too high for the proper handling of the tobacco Your system not only gives tne proper degree of humidity at all times, but in a large measure is a regulator for the temperatiire as well. We are glad to be the users of the first system put in for this purpose, and as it be- comes better known in the tobacco trade, you will undoubtedly be called upon to equip all the first-class warehouses. We should be glad to show this system in operation to any of the trade that may be interested. Yours tiuly, (Signed) OLDS & WHIPPLE. e ^* American Moistening- Company 150 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON, MASS. J. S. COTHRAN, Southern Representative, Empire Bldg., Atlanta, Ga. Write for Booklet "E" on Humidification.