CHICORY GROWING,

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2166, 3 February 1881, Page 3

CHICORY GROWING,

Mr Benjamin Dawson, the proprietor of the Richmond Hill Nursery, informs us (says tho ll Oamaru Mail") that he has put in an experimental crop of chicory this year. The area covered is two and a half acres, and although tho hares have played sad havoc with it, he exp-cts to realise a twothirds crop, or nine tons per acre. The whole crop has been bespoken at £5 per ton, so that his gross return per acre will be £45. It appears that there is a ready market for chicory, not only in this colony, but in the Australian colonies. For many years Messrs Trent Bros,, of Christchurch, have endeavoured to meet tho local demand, and have exported largely to Australia, where the plant will not grow. Yet the roasted root is still imported to these parts from the Old Country under an import duty of 3d per lb. This is one direction in which our farmers might supplement their incomes without much trouble or expense. There is a good market throughout the Australian colonies for this commodity. These colonies have at present to draw the bulk of their supplies from Home. It win thus be seen that this industry, which was so many years ago started by Messrs Trent Bros., is capable of considerable extension. A Dunedin firm which deals largely in chicory has lately been compelled, alter appealing unsuccessfully to the farmers to try the experiment of laying down small areas in that plant, to start a farm for its exclusive growth. Balolutha is the locality in which they have commenced operations, and, judging from the information to hand and the experience of Messrs Irent Brothers, Mr Dawson and others, we think, may reckon upon a handsome return for their outlay.