THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1918, Page 7

THE CULTURE OF TOBACCO.

To the Editor, ■Sir,—A few d<yjs ago 1 read ;i paragraph in jour paper re tlie culture of the tobacco plant here. It might be acceptable to your readers, who are inclined to grow their own "smoke" to tell them that the tobacco plant was very much grown in Taranaki in the later end of the (JO's and early 7u's. During tho .Maori war the sale of tobacco to the .Maori was prohibited, so that our lucky friends and enemies grew the plant and manufactured it. After the lortilied pa of Jlauutalii Xortli (now the site of tho township of Lepperton) was captured by our fortes (lie military took up a portion of Maitailawa, 011 the high ground inland of Lepperton. The sloping hills hero were well planted with tobacco. As I walked through the plantations 1 could not but admire the luxuriance of the crop. At Ahuahu (near Oakura) Captain Lloyd lent his sword to one of jiis men to cut down the tobacco and maize plantations. It is now history to tell you that Captain Lloyd's head was taken oil on this occasion and carried to the east- coast with a view to excite the natives over there to rebellion. I may state also that I gTew tobacco in 1871-2 in my garden at Frankley road for the purpose of making sheep wash. The citrus family can also be cultivated hero ill our light volcanic soils. —I am, etc., W. B. DAVIES. New 'Plymouth, 20th August 1918.