GROWING OF TOBACCO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 7

GROWING OF TOBACCO

SCHEME IN CANTERBURY PROMISING START . MADE Two returned soldiers working on aa eight-acre plantation among the sandhills near the Bower Bridge," New. Brighton, have proved, apparently, that it is possible to grow tobacco on a large scale in Canterbury, given the proper conditions, says the Christchurch Press. They have raised many thousands of fine plants to maturity and soon will start harvesting. that they have to do now is dry the leaf isuccessfully. This last phase of the work is most important, but the men are confident that they can put good, kiln-dried tobacco on the market.

Tite cultivation of the tobacco is being carried out under a scheme suggested by Mr. F. J. Bromley, the mansiger of the plantation, and fostered by tlie Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment Committeo. The success attained in rearing the plants, in spite of numerous setbacks, has brought homo to thc-sa interested in tho scheme the importance of the work as an experiment. This was mentioned by the secretary of the committee, Mr. W. E. Leadley. He remarked that the complete suocess of the scheme, which seemed praotically assured, would perhaps open tho way for the establishment of the industry on a largo scale. In the neighbourhood of the city there were many acres of now waste land, similar to that on which the tobacco has been reared. If the men could dry the leaf successfully and find market for it., their efforts would give ample proof of the possibility of tobacco culture in the locality. There are 37,000 tobacco plants on the plantation, and approximately three-quarters of them have almost readied a healthy maturity, carrying leaves of tho right size, weight and colour. •; . j