TOBACCO GROWING.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1696, 10 June 1884, Page 2

TOBACCO GROWING.

A laegely attended meeting in connection with, the above named industry took place on Saturday evening last at the Tauranga Hotel. Present — Dr Grinders (in the chair), Messrs Marley/Mokato, J. Vogan, A. Vogan, Macpherson, 0 vOlarke, Commons, E. Home, Burrows, J. Wrigley, Sheppard, Wilson, 0. Turner, Captain Turner, Major Swindley, and others.

Dr Ginders haying been voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting, which was called by advertisement. The aim was to confer with Mr UJasfen, representing the Tobacco-growing and Manufacturing Company, Auckland, who would explain sundry matters of interest connected with tobaccogrowing, and assist those who wished to obtain the required inf«ormation — the proper kind of seed, etc. The .question of tobaccogrowing was one whveh had been well ventilated and kept before 1 the public by the local press. It was well known to all that the climate was well adapted, and the soil was good ; and it was generally believed that land that would produce maize was suited to the growth of tobacco. The enemy that growers had to contend against was wind, as the strong winds damaged the leaves ; hence care was necessary to provide shelter for the plants. There was no doubt that it was a matter of valuable consideration to the farmer, and, as a speculation, tobaccogrowing was in many ways a profitable undertaking. The Chairman had much pleasure in. introducing Mr Masfen, who would explain the mode of operations, and acquaint those who proposed to grow the leaf with the manner in which the leaves were to be saved and packed. Mr Masfen produced some samples of leaf and some cigars manufactured by the Company in Auckland. He said that there was as good tobacco grown in Now Zeai'.and as any that could be imported from America. The Company was formed with a view to promote an iitdustry for which a tiix on imports were now paid, representing £250,000 to the customs. AH that is imported can be grown in this Island. Under the present act, all locally grown tobaccos will be charged Is per lb, against '3s 6d for the imported tobacco. Cigurs are charged 6s per lb ; hence there is a saving of 2s 6d in the one instance and 5s in tho other. As the Chairman has stated, good shelter was needed, and this, iV> has been been proved, can be obtained effpctually by planting rows of maize at . certain distances, as the circumstances may demand, Mr Masfen said said he had been to Te Puke, and seen the settlers there, who are in fayour of this industry, and had given

him encouragement. The simplest way to arrive at results would be to state what had been done by one of their Auckland friends and others might form their own conclusions, One grower raised three-quarters of an acre of tobacco and gathered from that area Ij2oo pounds weight oi leaves, which he sent to tl«s factory, and recSiyec^ in return a, chqcjue -iov $?,7v , .Now* cdmpariiig tniS jdeid and return with adolhei 1 citop — say maize, which was a favourite —it was at once apparent that the evidence was inifavour of tobaoco-growing. Maize would not yield much more than £10 to £12 per acre,.', with regard to seed. This would bo mipplied gratis, together with instructions for its use, and the Company contracted for the growth of the leaf. He might state that there was a Second tobacco cbm= pany in Auckland, and the. two, were about to amalgamate. He noticed By the B.i*. iTJrttKS oi that 4dy that the cigar makers for his Company had arrived. The Company had many thousand cigars on hand; these they were keeping ior a few weeks before they were placed oa the market. Their output at present was about 3,000 per diem. Some samples of oigars were then handed round to the gentlemen present) who commented favourably on them. ■•(>,. Major Swindley remarked tHat there was no qiT.ests.6n that the leaf could be grown hero, as evidenced by the samples upon the table. The question was could it be asoertained when the right time arrived to pick the crop, and after the crop vas gathered what treatment was required F Mr Sheppard asked what measure of dryness, was required, as he had seen very dry leaf manipulated in London ? Mr Burrows ftsked how the leaf should be dried after outting — whether in the shade oi' in the sun ? ' . In reply to these questions — The leaf should be cut whon ripe. In the event of any quantity being grown some one would be sent from the factory to cut it, if required. (The ordinary method was here fully explained.) The leaf should on no account be diy, as it becomes brittle, and is not so well adapted to all purposes. The leaf should never be allowed to see the sun after an hour or so of being cut. When the tobacco is ripe it should be cut down close to the ground, then hung up in bunches in some shady spot to dry — in a shed or whare. The company buy the leaf in its damp condition. It requires about four or five weeks for the leaf to attain the proper degree of dryness, when they can be packed in bunches and sent to the factory. The time to sow the seed is in- July, and plant out in September, variations . in dates depending on the locality where the plants are grown. Tiie plants can be planted out when in fourth lcci, and set not nearer than 4ft apart. The average return in money is estimated at £35 ;;3r acre gross. The Havannah leaf is worth ?.0.1 .a pound, but Connecticut and Virginia are the kinds recommended. Dr Ganders showed some excellent leaves grown by himself. His experience had shown that Virginia was the most suitable for this district, as it was hardy. Connecticut has the advantage in one way, not growing bo high and therefore runs less risk of damage from the action of the wind. Mr Masfen said that 1,5001bs weight to the acre was considered a good average. Two tons of leaf to three acres was the estimated weight in damp leaves — damp as the samples shown. Mr Clarke had down about 400 plants this season, and, as near as he could calculate, they yielded about 6oz of tobaoco each. Mr Marley had experimented, and produced a leaf 39in long by 16in wide. The conversation then became general, and the gentlemen present compared notes as to their several experiences in cultivation. Some excellent cigars made by Dr Ginders were exhibited, and on the whole a great interest was manifested in the pursuit of this industry, which, finds general favour.