TOBACCO GROWING.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17660, 10 August 1929, Page 5

TOBACCO GROWING.

PROSPECTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

A SUITABLE CROP

FOR SMALL HOLDINGS.

Wli.i?o the growing of tobacco in New Zealand is still in its experimental stages, there is every prosyeet that the crop to ho produced next season will be considerably larger than anything yet recorded. In the last few ,years the new industry has developed considerably, and not very long ago a shipment of about 12,0001 b. weight was sent home to try the London market. No information lias yet come to hand as to the prices realised, but it is pro ha bio that brokers and manufacturers will desire to try it out before purchasing any quantity. The shipment was of good quality, and it was hoped that it would be favourably received. Even supposing that the quality found approval in the eyes of tobacco manfacturers in England, it is stated that before they would embark upon any contract they would want some ‘guarantre of regular supplies and some uniformity in quality.

A good deal of attention has been given to the growing of tobacco within the Empire, so much that special conditions have been given to Empiregrown loaf by tlie British authorities. This has given an incentive and impetus to the industry in New Zealand, for . while hitherto the growing of tobacco has been mainly in the hands of a number of small growers, quite a number of companies have been formed in the Auckland province, one of which is preparing to plant approximately 200 acres in the forthcoming season.

The Department of Horticulture views the industry as one particularly suitable, for small growers, but the difficulty at the commencement lies in imparting the necessary instruction to a large number of men to enable them to turn out a marketable leaf.

Should the tobacco-growing industry of New Zealand prove to be a profitable one in those localities suited to it, there is no crop which would be more suitable for small holdings, because when Harvested, matured and properly treated it can be preserved for a considerable time, thus enabling ic to be marketed at once or held until the 1 market is favourable.

The new companies which are about to operate realise that tobacco growing is a speculation at present, but past results have given sufficient encouragement to induce the planting of larger areas than have been planted before. A large quantity of New Zealand leaf,' kiln dried, lias already been placed on the market and has found favour with the public, hut all of last season’s crop has not yet been disposed of, as some of it was air-dried and is rather dark in colour, although there is hardly any difference in quality, At present the outlook for ,tobacco, growing in those parts of the Dominion where the climate is suitable is considered to be encouraging.