LOCAL AND GENERAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2958, 5 November 1925, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An experienced sheep farmer estimates that the wet and backward season will cause a shortage of 2'lb. per fleece. He reckons the North Island will be 60,000 bales short and the South 40,000.

The grave effect of the shipping strike on the shipment of our dairy produce is shown by . the following figures, published by,the Daily Control Board: —For the period from the Ist July to 31st October the exports were as follows: Butter (1924) 10,752 tons, (1925) 0646 tons, (1925) 1364 tons. Does tobacco growing in New Zealand pay? The answer to that question is: Look at t|ic rapidly increasing number of men on the land who are now turning their attention to tobacco culture in -this country. The early attempts to put New Zea-land-grow n tobacco on the market (about 30 years ago) were it must be confessed, disappointing. The samples produced were, very crude. But modern methods of culture and treatment of the leaf have completely altered all that, and as an average crop of New Zealand tobacco is now worth £SO per acre (sometimes more) there can he no question about tobacco culture paying the farmer. As to the “weed’ in its manufactured form it is excellent. Unlike most imported brands it contains very little nicotine, and may lie indulged in ad lib. without harmful results, while the toasting of the leaf (quite a new idea) develops flavour and aroma snprisingly. Undoubtedly this industry, already nourishing, is destined to become of national importance. Leading lines are: Biverhcad Gold, mild; Navy Cut (Bulldog), medium; and Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullhead), full.f