THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1576, 21 October 1912, Page 10

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

GOVERNMENT EXPERT'S REVIEW. Discussing the hemp industry in the latest issue of tho Agricultural Department's "Jouninl," Mr. W. H. Ferris says ho considers that everything points to this season proving one of tho busiest and niost profitable seasons in the history of tile industry. All availablo phormium will be milled, as tho splendid values ruling for fibre must induce millers to produco to the maximum capacity of tneir works. It is, therefore, satisfactory to know that on'tho'wholo tho leaf is abundant, and generally,is in a.good condition. A-certain proportion is exhibiting a diseased condition, but tho percentage of .tliis is not so high as was at first thought to bo the case. . . : The fibre reaching Wellington from the Manawatu isexhibiting a rather poor colour, owing to tho wet weather, flooded livers, and damp condition of the bleach-ing-fields. In some cases millers are wisely sorting out and balancing- separately tho discoloured hanks. Owing to this temporary trouble the percentage nf "good-fair" grado was rather low iast month. The work of stripping has been of a good standard, though in.-several instances it lias been unsatisfactory to noto that'where really B°ed leaf has been prucurablo the stripping has been weak, thus reducing what'should have been good-fair fibre to only a fair grade. In a number of instances tho scutching hns been rather erratic, tho want of uniformity quite discounting tho good scutching, and being 'responsible in more than on.e case for a reduction in grade. In somo cases "slip toils" have been rather common. Hero more careful-stripping and clipping is required, as it is impossible at this limo of the year to scutch theso hard, thin tails'. Slip tail is very much objected to Jjy ' manufacturers. 'With improved Weather conditions, and'with the mill staffs settled/in their strido, no doubt these weakness will disappear. activity .will be seen in both Marlborough and Canterbury this season—districts, where for some years tho industry has" been languishing. This is gratifying, as these districts are capable of providing tho best grades of our native fibre. - The mills in both districts are being brought up to date by installation of the improved strippers and the several labour-saving appliances which are in use in the-North Island. Some millers do not take the care they should in loading their fibre. . It is too often put into wet and dirty trucks, and thus presents an unsightly appearance when it reaches the grading-stores. Though the grade is not affected, the unfavourable impression -it will. no doubt create on reaching the market in the mind of the oversea is hardly likely to prove an advertisement for phor-luium-nbre. Several millers-in the Manawatu are wisely .sorting out badly-diseased leaf, anil are thereby securing a nigh-pointed, goodfair grade. Where this is not done it is seldom the hemp can be awarded more than a fair grade. The reported drought in the Philippines is doubtless .responsible for the high values ruling for phormium-fibre. If the drought proves to be as'serious as anticipated, the ■ opportunity for New Zealand millers to introduce 1 their fibro into hew channel will be unique. The need, therefore, of maintaining a high standard is of vital importance. It is not, the immediate profit that has to be considered, but tho future profitable trade connection. If phormium is to replace manila the quality must be the best we can turn out, as it is a matter of displacing d superior fibre for the chief uses O.f titino in the manufacturing'world.