Tobacco-Growing

Future Seen For Tobacco-Growing In W. Samoa

r obacco grown in Western Samoa Id make a significant contribution the country's future economy, ac ding to the Director of Agriculture, . B. E. V. Parham. [R. PARHAM said this early in L October when a ceremony was d at the Agriculture Department open 17 packets each containing cigarettes and three tins of irette tobacco which had been pre ed from leaves grown in Western noa. fhe tobacco had been grown from ds of the Golden Virginian variety, ich had been sent to Samoa by the James Tobacco Company (NZ) 1., of Auckland. This firm also icessed the leaves. tfr. Parham said the seeds had :n planted by nine interested wers for experimental purposes, only three growers—all women — 1 been successful with them.

Hie tobacco is slightly darker than usual “Greys” tobacco, which is mlar in Western Samoa, but it tes a littles milder than the reys”. It is much lighter than noan cured tobacco. But those 0 tried it at the ceremony thought was suitable for public con nption. \sked about the prospects of :stern Samoan-grown tobacco being ►cessed and produced locally, Mr. rham said; “If sufficient Samoan ►wers are interested in growing 5 kind of tobacco as a cash crop, Department would have to build din for the curing of the leaves, is has been requested by the manu turers, who have expressed the pe that a local industry, including edrying plant and a small factory, 1 be established.” *