840 



Ji'uniiJ of AgriciilfKre, Victoria. [ti Dec. 1911. 



TOBACCO CULTURE. 



{Continued from pngc 6yj.) 



T. A. J. S/i/it//. 7\)hacco Expert. 



Summary. 

 In concluding this series of articles on tobacco culture, in which most 

 of the essential i>oints in connexion with the production of the cro]) have 

 been dealt with, I desire to emphasize tihe fact that the consumption of 

 tobacco is consistently on the increase all the world over. Consequently, 

 the markets for good leaf are more likely to improve than deteriorate as 

 time goes on, and the prospects l)efore the industry an- fhrr,>f()r<' ^ood. 



CIGARS MANUFACTURED FROM VICTORIAN-GROWN LEAF. 



Only a few districts in Victoria have so far taken up tobacco growing 

 as a commercial enterprise, and in these fine profits have been made. There 

 are many parts of the State which possess suitable soils and climates, 

 some of which ma\ at any time produce leaf of better quality than any 

 yet produced. But, until these are exploited, no results can be expected. 



Land fitted to produce high-grade leaf need not necessarily be high 

 priced, and the cost of pr'ovingi the crop is slight, as a very small are:i 

 under tobacco is sufficient for the test. No machinery beyond that already 

 used on the average farm is required, and the labour involved is light right 

 throughout. It is a crop that lends itself to the system of mixed farming, 

 and is especially suited to places situated a long distance from the market 

 centres, owdng to its high value per ton, and good keeping qualities. 



There is no reason to doubt that many thousands of pounds' w^orth of 

 tobacco leaf could and should be girown in Victoria, but it rests largely 

 with the land-owners to establish the industry, in which effort the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture is willing to assist by supplying any information that 

 may be desired by applicants. 



