TOBACCO GROWING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 115, 23 April 1883, Page 2

TOBACCO GROWING.

. «, .. This is an industry which should flourish m Manawatu, both Boil and climate being specially adapted for its mature growth. Some small patches have been tried, and with very gratifying results, the crop being vigorous, healthy, and promising. Last year an association was formed m Auckland for the purpose of making experiments m tobacco growing. It was composed of 1 ten members, each of which contributed £60. A site for a nursery was obtained at Kemuera, and a quantity ol seed was sown m November. The growth was not so favourable as coali have been wished, a result which was attributed to two causes, the lateness of the sowin?, and the unsuitableuess of the ground. This year the association, undaunted by the ill-success ot the first , venture, planted eleven acres m i September, ut Pahi, m the Kaipara dis« trict. According to latest reports the orop has been already transplanted, and is coming on nicely, the leaf promising to turn out of a superior quality. If the experiments prove as great a success

is is anticipated, the capital of tho association is to be increased, and tho ivork of manufacturing entered upon Forthwith. A tobicco .plantation and factory m Manawatu should prove a vtry lucrative conoern, and one which should profitably employ a considerable amount cf idle capital j and give work to a large number of people m the district. It is strange that patent, though the fact, be that Manawatu has such special facilities for the remunerative carrying-on of a number of local industries, our public men are so slow to move m the inauguration of projects so intimately connected with the rapid advanceoienc of the district. Til! we have factories of one kin I and another established m our midst, ani until we become to a larger extent producers, it cannot be expected that we can be a prosperous community. We should be m a position to export,to a considerable extent, locally produced or manufactured articles for general consumption; i and not be content to drag along from i year to year dependent upon outside capi al to keeo us going. The day must come when the expenditure of outgide capital must largely diminish, and if we have not by that time established at least the nucleus of various industries, we can but expect depression and stagnation as the result of our improvidence and lack of enterprise.