Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The picking apron was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Picking machines replaced the picking apron. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.The apron was used to gather green leaf before picking machines were made. Thick cotton cream apron, hemmed around the outside. Widest at the waist which has 2 rings each side where string is attached with a knot to tie around the waist. From the ring, material tapers inwards to form a bib. The corners of the bib have rings from which white rope is attached to hang around the neck. Similariy material tapers to the bottom where rings in the corners have rope attached - also to hang around the neck. Half way between the waist and neck, the material is double stitched and overlapped. grubbytobacco. mongans bridge, kiewa valley, parmesan, rossaro . picking apron.