THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 12 March 1928, Page 7

THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

GROWING INTEREST’ IN NEW ZEALAND.

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

The Neisou growers entered last season with about 300 acres sown with tobacco, which was subsequently sold under contract to \Y. I>. and H. 0. 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 imposed by the Government grader. \\ hat is more striking, however, is the fact that tobacco planting has begun in other pai-ts of New Zealand. A. group of growers at Tauranga liave .succeeded in inducing the Department of Horticulture to despatch 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 wil 1 report on the suitability of the district lor tobacco raising and to what extant 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 lact 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 a.s a venture, it has proved very successful, and it is expected that a leaf of good flavour will be obtained. Inquiries as to tobacco raising are pouring in to the Department of Horticulture. and it is considered highly probably that before Jong there will be planting in most fruit-growing districts. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken) stated recently that lie looks to this industry as likely to provide a use for the poorer soil on Ihe farms, and this expectation seems in ,a fair way to be fulfilled.