TOBACCO CULTURE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 547, 11 October 1881, Page 3

TOBACCO CULTURE.

To the [Editor. Sir,—The culture of tobacco is a branch of industry which, as yet, has not received any attention in Canterbury, or I rnigbt

say New Zealand. As dairy produce, grass seed, cattle, etc., are down to about low-water mark, it is time that we looked around and struck out for something fresh. We have lately heard a good deal about the cultivation of ths silkworm, olive, and wattle. These are ail very well in their way, but it takes a few years before any immediate profits result. I Inlieve that the culture of tobacco, if carried out properly, will pay better, and much quicker, than any of these. It is very likely that now the Government have granted permission for the growth and manufacture of tobacco, charging a duty of Is per lb on the manufactured article, that there will be a ready sale for it, and I think that the sheltered bays of the Peninsula should be able to raise as good leaf as any part of the Colony. Nothing is better for the growth of the plant than new land with plenty of wood ashes ; in fact, any land that will grow a good crop of oats will grow tobacco, and from samples which I have seen grown in the neighborhood of Akaroa, I have not the slightest doubt of its succeeding. It takes about four months from the time of transplanting until the crop matures It is not too late yet for sowing the seed, and I should like to see a number of our farmers give it a trial on a small scale, when, if it turns out a success, it should be gone into on a larger ; scale next season. The following few directions may be of some use to those who intend trying it. Uhoose a small rich piece of land, sloping, well sheltered, about Bft long and 4ft broad; on this pile a good heap of logs and brushwood, sufficient to keep up a good fire for an hour or more. Next day it should be hoed thoroughly, and made as fine as garden mould to a depth of nine inches or more ; on this bed sow a thimbleful of seed, mixed with ashes or earth. After sowing, the be should be well slapped with the back of a spade and wetted with weak manure water. The above quantity of seed will raise plants enough for ong acre of ground. An acre of land will produce from 1700 to 2300 pounds of leaf, which is at present selling in the Sydney market at from 4d to 6d, so that if you reckon your crop at 2000 pounds, at, say, 5d per pound, it will bring in £4113s 4d. In many parts of the States those who grow tobacco on a small scale, say, up to one acre, mostly go in for wrappers for cigars, which require a finer and cleaner leaf, and bring 10d to Iβ per pound. After planting out there is a good deal of time required in wending, topping, suckering, cutting, and housing, but to explain these will require a good deal of space, so I will at present conclude, but ehould any of your readers take the hint and start growing this valuable plant, I shall be only too happy to give them further information on the raising and curing of it through your columns.— Yours, etc.. G. J. B.