TOBACCO CULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1928, Page 1

TOBACCO CULTURE

GROWING INDUSTRY IN N.Z. WELLINGTON, March 7. \\ lien the Nelson tobacco growers commenced raising tobacco for exportlast year they founded an industry which shows every indication of becoming one of t-ht' most popular in the Dominion. The Nelson growers entered last season with about 300 acres sown with tobacco, which was subsequently sold under contract to W. D. and 11. O. \\ ills. This year the area sown has ■just doubled and the same firm is prepared to take over all the leaf raised at fixed prices, provided that the cured leaf is up to tho standard imposed by the Government grader. What is more striking, however, is the fact that, tobacco planting has begun in other parts of Now Zealand. A group of farmers at Tauranga have succeeded in inducing the Department of Horticulture to dispatch its instructor. Mr C. E. Lowe, to that district for one week. While in Tauranga Mr Lowe will advise the growers not only on the question of raising and handling tobacco, hut will report oil the suitability of the district for tobacco raising and to what extent there exists any desire to enter this industry. Tt is expected that Tauranga will lend itself to such crops, as the climate is line and dry and there should ho found the right kind of soil for tobacco, planting—ground which is not too rich. In rich soil the leaf becomes rank and strong.

Another important indication is given hv the fact that tho Callaway Experimental Farm, near Alexandra, Central Otago, has raised a tobacco crop, specimens of which are now being sent to ’Wellington for examination. While the crops was put down solely as a venture, it has' proved very successful, and it is expected that a leaf of good flavour will be obtained. Enquiries as to tobacco raising are pouring in to the Department of Horticulture and it is considered highly probable that before long there will he planting in most fruit-growing districts. The Minister for Agriculture (lion Air Hawken) stated recently that lie looked to this industry as likely to provide a use for the poorer soil on the farms and this expectation seems in a fair way to he fulfilled.