TOBACCO GROWING

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 6

TOBACCO GROWING

AUCKLAND OPERATIONS. AUCKLAND, October 1. Although tiie results of the disposal if last year’s tobacco crop are not. vet to hand, increasing planting is being undertaken this season. Last year there was . approximately 100 acres in the Auckland district devoted to tobacco cultivation, but during the coming planting season at least three syndicates intend to sow areas aggregating 300 acres. A great deal of tobacco is also grown by people on .small holdings, but it is difficult I'orythe Department of Agriculture to keep check of these. Many applications arc made for seed, and frequently the departmental officers hear no more of its fate until some small grower puts in an application for assistance in the disposal of his crop.

The, results depend largely upon the weather, and tlie best product is grown in a lvot, dry season, otheiwisc the leaf becomes too - succulent and is difficult to cure. At present the Department is not making any effort to stimulate the planting of tobacco because it has as yet no information of the results of past efforts. In tlie meantime faith in the infant industry is indicated by the additional areas that are bong planted, even though growers arc still working in the dark.