TOBACCO GROWING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 13

TOBACCO GROWING

CONDITIONS IN CANTERBURY SOME HINTS FOR AMATEURS (SrECIALLT WRITTEN FOR THE PBESS.) (By C.G.E.) Many amateur tobacco-growers in Canterbury who have been experimenting with crops during the last few years have signified their intention of trying their luck again with another crop this year. It must be conceded that the disappointments suffered by growers in Canterbury at the beginning of this year were many, and enough to shake the faith of those who were making their first attempt to grow tobacco, in the weather ot Canterbury. It is realised by most people, however, that the frost and hail which did so much damage to tobacco and fruit crops this year was unseasonable, and that the many who failed in a first attempt to provide themselves with cheap tobacco were unfortunate. That tobacco can be grown successfully in Canterbury has been proved, and the opinion is held by persons who have closely studied the effects of the temperature and the suitability of Canterbury soil, that given reasonable weather, tobacco may be grown in this province which will compare favourably with tobacco grown in any other part of the Dominion. Tobacco growing needs very careful study and patience, and industry. Some 20 years ago tobacco was grown in Canterbury, but for some reason the popularity of "home brew" seemed to wane, and it was not until recent years, possibly owing to the effect of the depression, that the growing of tobacco in back gardens has again become popular. Experience Valuable There are various books on the market advising the beginner which varieties to grow, and how to go about growing them, but nothing will teacn the amateur more about the subject than actual experience. When tobacco is to be grown in a back garden, everything is comparatively simple once the soil is in right condition. Tobacco will grow on a wide lange of soils, but from tests carried out in Canterbury it has been found that fairly sandy soil is best. The importance of the proper treatment of the soil cannot be too deeply impressed upon the beginner. If the plants are planted in a fairly rich soil, they will grow, and grow to an enormous height, but the leaves will be thick and of a coarse texture, and altogether of poor quality. Some hold the opinion that certain fertilisers should be used in the preparation of the soil, but this is not always necessary, and it will be found that soils lacking in organic matter, and of poor nitrogenous content, are better than t;oils rich in these materials. But it is well to remember also, that the smoking quality of tobacco is intluenced to a large extent by the soil in which it is grown. In the older tobacco growing countries of the world, it is generally recognised that tobacco grown in different districts can be relied upon to exhibit definite characteristics peculiar to those particular areas, and it has been found that loams, heavy loams, clay soils, and soil generally described as rich, are not suitable for the growing of tobacco. Delicate Seed* Although it is not yet too late to sow seeds, by now, most people will have yuung plants well on the way, ready to plant out during the next few weeks. For those who have not yet planted their seeds, it may be mentioned that the tobacco seed is extremely minute in size, and correspondingly delicate. It has been estimated that one ounce contains approximately 300,000 seeds. The germination percentage is relatively low, varying round 30 per cent. Unless carefully sown in carefully prepared beds, and watered just sufficiently to keep the bed suitably moist, the seeds may die soon arter germination. When planting out, the plants should be placed about a yard apart in either direction. Care should be exercised to keep the number of leaves well checked. From 10 to 15 leaves is a desirable number for one healthy plant. If left unchecked the leaves on some varieties of plants will number scores by the time the plant goes to seed.