TOBACCO CULTURE A SUCCESS IN AUCKLAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6886, 16 April 1929, Page 9

TOBACCO CULTURE A SUCCESS IN AUCKLAND

Good Prospects for Industry

Auckland's tobacco crop is now in the most interesting stage—tho harvesting and curing of the leaves. Twelve months ago little or no tobacco was under cultivation in the province. To-day there are approximately 120 acres of tobacco, with every prspcct of a largo increase in the total area in the near future. Auckland's gum and pumieo lands arc singularly adapted to the successful growth of tobacco and that for an unusually simple reason.

In their natural state these lauds contain little of tho stimulants of growth. For instance, there is practically no nitrogen in the soil such as is to be found in the richer lands and those that have been under cultivation for some years. Nitrogen in quantity is fatal to the growing of good tobacco. The cultivator of the gum and pumice lands knows, therefore, that he is starting operations with a soil that contains nothing that will injure his tobacco ar.d he can put into the ground only those fertilisers that will be of assistance to the crop. , All the varieties of tobacco grown in Nel«on have proved successful in the Auckland plantations, which are scattered from Rotorua to Hokianga. and in and around the city. Seed cultures have been supplied through the Department of Agriculture, whose instructor, Mr. C. E. Lowe, has kept in close touch with tho producers. Tho average stand of crop throughout the province has proved ■ of reasonable abundance and of good texture, and when proporly harvested and cured should be a firstclass sample. Trials of Smallholders. Both shed and kiln curing have boon undertaken. The shed curing results in a brown leaf and tho other mothod gives the golden tobacco used for cigarettes. Exports agreo that tho erection of a kiln entails greater expense, but they contend this is warranted by the better quality attained and consequently more remunerative prices. Tho leaf that has so far passed through the kilns has proved of a high quality which should meet a ready market in New Zealand, or hold its own in the overseas markets should the producers decide to send their crops abroad. ’ Apart from tho commercial plantations tobacco growing is being tried by 'many smallholders. Such action has much to recommend it. It gives the small holder an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the art in a limited way and minimises tho loss should the growers' initial efforts be failures.

That there is keen interest in the prospects of the new industry is evidenced by the number of visitors to the plantations, their object being to gather information and see demonstrations of what is required in the way of cultivation. Money Made by Women. Present indications are that tobacco growing should be a profitable sideline for the smallholder, as two acres is proving an ideal average area for ono person to attend to. The planting and harvesting of tho crop is so light that it can be undertaken by women,, and the assertion has been made that of tho £50,000 that accrued to Nelson last year from tobacco, about £35,000 went into tho pockets of the wives and daughters of tho farmers there. Tho return per acre varies from £SO to £l2O, according to the quality of tho leaf. Apart from tho smallholder aspect of tho industry, plans to establish tobacco growing on a much larger scale aro under way. A company has been formed to develop about 200 acres near the city, and it is its intention to undertake extensive cultivation next season.