Tobacco In New Zealand

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 April 1915, Page 2

Tobacco In New Zealand

A Han-ke's Hay syndicate poseessee a coiwcco plantation near Clive Grange. Jhe plants are grown rrom seed, and there are 300 seed beds each of which product* 4000 plants. In about six «eek's time the plants are ready for transplanting. This is done by meaue if an automatic transplanter, which can transplant about four acres a day, and which, at the same time, water*, the plant. The tobacco plants grow very quickly, and in about three months' tune the leaves are ready for drying There is no blight or pest on the plants At present there are 100 acres under cultivation, with just on half a million plants. There i.s stored in the sheds I rom last year's crop 40,0001b of dry tobacco. Some of the leaves grown last year measured 18in by 20in. The plant grows to about 6ft in height, and when it is ready for cutting the leaves turn slightly yellow, and a gluey substance forms on it. The stem of the plant resembles wood, am) when being cut it is first slit down near the ground and a piece of wood put in the ftlit to hang the plant up by. It is then #ut down and taken to the drying shed. There are three large open dry ing sheds which have accommodation for 32,000 plants, which hang there for lour flays. When they are thoroughly dry the leaves are then stripped off anil tied together in bunches ready for manufacture. The manager states that no plant that he knows of grows so quickly, and the climate is very suitable. One acre would produce an avernge of 80001b of leaf. Five plants produce lib of leaf. It is the intention of the company to commence manufateuring shortly, but the 100 acres J that they have under cultivation is not expected to yield sufficient for the demand.