TOBACCO CULTURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1928, Page 11

TOBACCO CULTURE

DOMINION’S NEW INDUSTRY

When the Nelson tobacco growers commenced raising tobacco for export last year they founded an industry which shows every indication of becoming one of the most popular in the Dominion.

The Nelson growers entered last season with about 300 acres sown with tobacco, which was subsequently sold under contract to W. D. and H. O. Wills. This year the area sown has just doubled and the same firm is prepared to take over all the leaf raised at fixed prices provided that the cured leaf is up to the standard imposedby the Government grader. What is more striking, however, is the fact that tobacco planting has begun in other parts of New Zealand. A group of farmers at Tauranga have succeeded in inducing the Department of Horticulture to dispatch its instructor, Mr. C. E. Lowe, to that district for one week. While in Tauranga Mr. Lowe will advise the growers not only on the question of raising and handling tobacco, but will report on the suitability of the district for tobacco raising and to what extent there exists any desire to enter this industry. It is expected that Tauranga will lend itself to such crops, as the climate is fine and dry and there should be found the right kind of soil for tobacco planting—ground which is not too rich. In rich soil the leaf becomes rank and strong.

Another important indication is given by the fact that the Gallaway Experimental Farm, near Alexandra, Central Otago, has raised a tobacco crop, specimens of which are now being sent to Wellington for examination. While the crop was put down solely as a venture, it has proved very successful, and it is expected that a leaf of good flavour will be obtained. Enquiries as to tobacco raising are pouring in to the Department of Horticulture and it is considered highly probable that before long there will be planting in most fruit-grow-ing districts. The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. Mr. Hawken) stated recently that he looked to this industry as likely to provide a use for the poorer soil on the farms and this expectation seems in a fair way to be fulfilled.