CONNECTICUT VALLEY CIGAR LEAF TOBACCO. 205 



until the price for average or binder goods naturally followed. The con- 

 tinued ravages of the elements during the growing season, culminating in 

 the fro,«t of September, 1917, naturally resulted in higher prices for the top 

 grades. It is estimated that 40 per cent of the Connecticut valley sui>-grown 

 was injured by hail, wind or frost, while the loss in shade-groTvm was 

 perhaps 3 per cent, nearly all caused by wind. 



It would be difficult to indicate the average price for the 1917 crop be- 

 cause of damage by storm after contracts had been made in the field, and 

 because of the almost unheard-of prices paid for damaged tobacco. But it 

 is safe to say that prices ranged from 23 to 30 cents for the average run of 

 stalk-cut Havana seed on early contracts, with the average at 26 certs and 

 30 cents for the leaf sold late. Primed Havana crops sold for about 34 

 cents, with the range from 28 to 45 cents. Broadleaf sold around 30 cents, 

 with the range from 24 to 36 cents in the bundle, the latter price in South 

 Windsor, Conn., for crops contracted late. Shade tobacco on contract 

 ranged from 70 cents to $1.10 in bundles, 85 cents being the prevailing 

 price. 



Prices prior to the war varied more or less from year to year. The crop 

 of 1915 was very poor in quality and of light weight, and prices were con- 

 sequently low, averaging only 14.5 cents in Massachusetts and 16.43 cents 

 in all New England. 



The crop outlook varied in the other cigar leaf sections. The growing 

 conditions indicated in midsummer a 95 per cent normal crop in Pennsyl- 

 vania, an 80 per cent crop in Wisconsin, a 90 per cent crop in Ohio, and a 

 90 per cent crop in New York. Frost seriously damaged the Ohio crop, 

 striking also 30 per cent of Pennsjdvania acreage and 35 per cent of Wis- 

 consin acreage. 



Binder shortage presented the greatest problem of the cigar industry. 

 Instead of 100,000 cases of binders wliich Wisconsin produces in normal 

 years, the 1917 crop did not produce more than 15,000 cases. About 

 48,000 acres were planted in 1917, and this compared favorably with the 

 average for the last five j^ears. The crop was planted under favorable 

 conditions, chiefly in the last part of June and the early part of July. A 

 period of extremely dry weather, the late planting and an earl}'' frost caused 

 Wisconsin to face a discouraging outlook for a fair yield of good bmders. 

 About 5,000 acres wf re cut by hail; about 7,000 acres were shredded before 

 the frost; about 26,000 acres were frozen, a small portion only yielding 

 some binders; and about 10,000 acres were badly frozen in the fields. A 

 late harvest and very poor curing weather added to the loss. 



Tliis absolute scarcity of binders brought about unheard-of prices. The 

 manufacturers paid as much or more for birders in 1917 and early 1918 as 

 they did for wrappers two or three years ago. Not only is there a strong 

 demand for binders, but filler tobacco has increased in proportion more 

 than either binder or wrapper tobacco. 



