1905.] DISCUSSION. 193 



sponds so readily to better culture and to a better understanding 

 of the plant from a scientific standpoint. Why are the growers 

 so little interested in that higher side of it, which really means 

 dollars and cents to them? It is a matter I cannot under- 

 stand. Mr. Andross probably knows. It has been so when 

 the attempt has been made to hold other meetings for the dis- 

 cussion of these higher methods for the improvement of tobacco 

 culture. We have had just the same results before, and I can- 

 not understand it. What is the answer to it. Brother Andross? 

 Mr. Andross. Mr. Hale has made a point that I have often 

 noticed. There seems to be a great deal of jealousy among 

 tobacco growers, and I have sometimes thought they were more 

 blind to their own interests than most any other class of 

 farmers. This is not only noticeable with these special meet- 

 ings, but it is so in the meetings of the New England To- 

 bacco Growers' Association, and also the National. Very few 

 get up to the point of taking a really active, intelligent interest 

 in the proceedings. They do not care anything about our legis- 

 lation, although it was of vital importance to them. Meetings 

 like this are important, and would be helpful to them, but they 

 seem to lose sight of that fact and do not come out. At this 

 time of the year very few of them have anything to do im- 

 portant enough to keep them at home, but somehow or other 

 they would rather stay home by the fire. I think it is largely 

 due to a certain amount of jealousy, that does not seem to exist 

 among any other class of farmers. They are highly pleased if 

 they can get a cent more a pound for their tobacco, but they 

 do not seem to be ready, as a class, to study the means by 

 which they could get considerably more than a cent. If they 

 can get a cent or two a pound more than the other fellow they 

 are happy ; but as a rule they do not seem to be interested, and 

 the only way I can explain it is that there is a certain amount 

 of jealousy, as I have said. They will keep a buyer away from 

 another farmer if they can. I have heard that complained of 



Agr. — 13 



