TOBACCO CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18965, 12 March 1925, Page 7

TOBACCO CULTURE.

SUCCESS AT TE ATATU. POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRY. Experiments in the planting of tobacco at To Atatu this year have been snccessf.'l, and there is reason to hslieve that tobacco planting will become one of the standard industries of the district. Last year an experiment in testing the suitability of the soil at Te Atatu wns so successful that a number of the settlers decided they would this season plant sufficient acreage of tobacco plants to test it under commercial conditions as a definite industry. Some seven settlers put down plots varying in size from one acre to four acres, or in all about 24 acres. An inspection was made of the various plots this week, and the majority of 'he plants are thriving wall. In one or 1 > cases it. was found that crops were backward owing to late planting. Where settlors had planted crops early, however, they aro almost mature. In one caso a preliminary picking has already Veen made, and the crop is seasoning in an open shed. One tour-acre plot located near the Methodist Church is worthy of particular mention, The average height, of the plant is 6ft, and the bright, pink flowers, which are now in full bloom, mado a pretty sight. Tlio highest grade tobacco is made from the three lowest leaves of tho plant, and a careful inspection disclosed that in this plot and in others whore early planting-out had been done, the more valuable leaves were abundant, large, and welhshapcd. Considerable local interest is being taken in the venture. A number of settlers have already expressed their intention of devoting at least a portion of their holdings to tobacco-growing next season. Beyond raising the plants and drying them the growers have no further responsibilities. There is a guaranteed market for all leaves of good quality up to Is 8d per lb. The only difficulty anticipated next year when another crop is put down is sufficient labour to gather it when it is ready.