ON THE LAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 21 January 1939, Page 6

ON THE LAND

TOBACCO INDUSTRY

RESEARCH STATION AT RIWAKA OFFICIAL OPENING BY DR. MARSDEN LARGE ATTENDANCE OF GROWERS [From Our Own Correspondent]

The newly-established Tobacco Research Station at Umukuri, RiWaka, was officially opened to-day by Dr. E. Marsden, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington, in the presence of a large gathering of growers from all parts of the Motueka and surrounding district and others interested in the culture of tobacco. Mr F. A. Hamilton, chairman of the New Zealand Tobacco Growers Federation, after introducing Dr. Marsden extended a welcome to Dr. Miller (Cawthron Institute), Mr R. G. Grade (W. D. and H. O. Wills), and Mr Dallas, Director of Horticulture Division. He thanked the growers for their interest in the work of the station and in attending in large numbers the first “field day.” Among the visitors were also Dr. Dixon and Dr. Askew (Cawthron Institute). and Mr Adamson, District Supervisor of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr Charles Lowe, Government tobacco instructor and expert. OFFICIAL OPENING Dr. E. Marsden, who was called upon to perform the official opening of the research station, said the object of the station was for the purpose of finding out everything about the growing of tobacco-soil types, manuring, and disease, by means of tests, so that in time there would be no necessity for the importation of tobacco leaf. At the research station a study would be made of the growing of tobacco from every aspect. The hope was expressed that growers would realise that the station belonged to them, and that they would take a keen interest in its work and accord their co-operation. He thought the district was fortunate in having the services of Mr J. M. Allan as its research officer, and asked growers to give him their support. Dr. Marsden said the problems of disease wpuld be dealt with at the station, with the ultimate idea of obtaining quality leaf. The local Research Committee, Dr. Marsden added, had made a good start, and hoped in few years to be able to show that the station had made definite and reliable progress. The Hon

D. Sullivan, he said, would have liked to have been present for the opening of the Station, but had to travel to Christchurch on public business Mr J. M. Allan, Research Officer, was then called upon to address growers, and gave a comprehensive resume of the work carried out in the initial year of operations. Mr Hamilton, in according a vote of thanks to Mr Allan, said Mr Allan had presented an excellent report, and expressed appreciation of the enthusiastic manner in which he had entered into the work at the station. The motion was seconded by Mr J. Balck and carried by acclamation. Mr Dallas, Director of Horticulture, after being introduced by Mr Hamilton, expressed pleasure at being able to attend the official opening of the Research Station. He had been appointed to replace the late Mr J. A. Campbell who was known to the district as keenly interested in tobacco culture. Personally he had not an extensive' knowledge of tobacco growing, but that would not prevent him from following the work of the Station with interest. Tobacco culture, he said, had in the past been largely carried out by growers without firstly having a knowledge of the suitability or otherwise of the soil for tobacco growing Scientific survey would be undertaken under the direction of Dr. Marsden, and soil types, field trials etc., would be carried out. The Cawthron Institute was also assisting. The Research Station, he felt sure, would render a service to tobacco growers and to other primary producers. He reminded the growers present that success was usually built up on failures, and urged growers to study the results of the experiments and to profit thereby, and not to look only for good results in the experimental plots. They would see from the Government import regulations, the Gover ment’s efforts to encourage primary industries, and this should hearten tobacco growers. Mr Allan, in the course of his address, gave a detailed description of the experiments His •'emarks will appear in Monday s issue. (On the Land column continued on page 9)