TOBACCO CULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1929, Page 6

TOBACCO CULTURE

SUCCESS IN AUCKLAND

GOOD PBOSEHOTS FOB INDUSTRY

Auckland’s tobacco crop is now in the most interesting stage—the harvesting and curing of the leaves. ’Twelve months ago little or no tobacco was under cultivation in the province. To-day there are approximately 120 acres of tobacco, with every prospect of a large increase in the total area in tin* near future. Auckland’s gum and pumice lands are singularly adapted t'« the successful growth of tobacco and that for an unusually simple reason. 11l their natural state these lands contain little of the stimulants ol growth. For instance, there is practically no nitrogen in the soil such as is to he found in the richer lands and those that have been under cultivation for some years. Nitrogen in quantity is fatal to the growing of good tobacco. The cultivator of the gum and pumice lands knows, therefore. that he is starting operations with a soil that contains nothing that will injure his tobacco and be can put into the ground only those fertilisers that will he of assistance to the crop.

All the varieties of tobacco grown in Nelson have proved successful in the Auckland plantations, which are scattered from Rotorua to Hokianga. and in and round the city. Seed cultures have been supplied through the Department of Agriculture, whose instructor, Mr C. F. Lowe, has kept in close touch with the producers. The average stand 'of crop throughout the province has proved ol reasonable abundance and of good texture, and when properly harvested and cured should he a first-class sample.

TRIALS OF SMALLHOLDERS. Both shed and kiln curing have beeundertaken. The shed curing results in a brown leaf and the other method 'gives the golden tobacco used for cigarettes. Experts agree that the erection of a kiln entails greater expense, but they contend this is warranted by the better quality attained and consequently more remunerative prices. The leaf that lias so far passed though the kilns lias proved of a high quality, which' should meet a ready market in New Zealand or hold its own in the overseas markets should, the producers decide to send their crops abroad.

Apart from the commercial plantations. tobacco growing is being tried by maiiv smallholders. Such action has much t-o recommend it. It gives the smallholder an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the art in a limited way and minimises the los* should the growers’ initial efforts ho failures.

That then' is keen interest in the prospects’ of the new industry is evidenced hv the nuinker of visitors tithe plantations, their object being to ojjit' in‘'ormation and see denion-c:f-aliens < ’-t is reijiiired in the vay of cultivation. ?r>N'CY MADE BY WOMEN. Present indications are that tobacco growing should be a profitable sideline for the smallholder, as two acres is proving an ideal average area for one person to attend to. The planting and harvesting oi the crop is so light that it can he undertaken by women, and the assertion has been made that of the £so,(<of) that accrued to Nelson last year from tobacco, about £35,00P went into the pockets of the wives and daughters of the farmers there. The return per acre varies from £BO to £l2O, according to the «|unlity of the leaf. Apart from the smallholder aspect of the industry, plans to establish to bacco growing on a much larger scab are under way. A company has been formed to, develop about 200. acre near the'-"city, and it is its intention to undertake extensive cultivation next season.—Auckland “Herald.