INTELLIGENCE OF TOBACCO GROWERS. 313 



the entire surface is as free from stones as a lawn. He 

 usually, if his farm is small, plants the same field year after 

 year, securing a much finer leaf and by yearly manuring 

 keeping the ground fertile and in good condition. When 

 the tobacco is stripped the utmost care is taken to assort the 

 leaves and he frequently shades or assorts the colors, 

 obtaining fancy prices for such " selections." 



The Connecticut grower is well acquainted with the differ- 

 ent soils, and is able to judge with considerable accuracy in 

 regard to selecting the right fields for tobacco. The warmest 

 land is chosen mellow and free from stones or shaded by 

 trees and prepared as if for a garden. All of the improved 

 methods of obtaining early plants as well as transplanting, 

 he adopts, and in spite of early freezing, is generally able to 

 outwit Jack Frost, and secure the plants before this great foe 

 of the weed ravages the fields. It may safely be said of the 

 Connecticut planter that he secures more even crops than any 

 other grower of the plant, and obtains the finest colored leaf 

 for cigar wrappers. 



The growers are thoroughly informed as regards the prices, 

 and although the buyers may steal suddenly upon them, are 

 generally prepared to " set " a price upon their crops. Some 

 refuse to sell on the poles, or even after it is stripped, pre- 

 ferring to pack their tobacco until it has passed through the 

 eweat, when larger prices are obtained. Many growers not 

 only pack their own crop, but buy up that of others, thus 

 acting as both producer and buyer. During the growing of 

 the crop, and particularly after it has been cured and stripped, 

 the growers congregate together, and talk over the condition 

 of the crop and the prices likely to be realized. Sometimes 

 they form an association or club, agreeing to " hold " the 

 tobacco for satisfactory prices, and frequently employing an 

 agent to sell the crop. Many of the tobacco fields or farms 

 in the Connecticut valley are very valuable, especially those 

 near large cities and means of transportation ; such lands 

 often selling for one thousand dollars per acre. 



The finest tobacco lands in the Connecticut valley are 



