Levi Willison, left, Bellmount Farm, Fayette County and Earl Elliott, Lexington, inspected burley tobacco on the floor at Clay Number 1 warehouse November 15, 1948. Warehouses officially opened on the 15th to receive leaf for the 1948-49 auctions which were to begin November 29. It was reported that the crop was equally as good as the fine 1947 smoker, although a little heavier. Contract buying by tobacco companies virtually halted the tradition of burley auctions a few years ago. Herald-Leader Archive Photo