GROWTH OF THE PHORMIUM.

Evening Star, Issue 2934, 15 July 1872, Page 3

GROWTH OF THE PHORMIUM.

Col. Hanltain recently read an important paper before the Auckland Institute upon the “ Growth of the Phorramm.”

The contents of his paper, he said, were the results obtained by the Flax Commissioners, and stated in their report, which, however, is not yet published. From this paper it appeared that considerable uncertainty existed as to the time at which the plant reached its maturity. Specimens had been planted in rich soils, and irrigated in hot weather, the growth of which was extremely slow. The general result was that it flourished on the banks of rivers and in gullies through which a stream ran. He illustrated his paper by some plants grown in the neighborhood of St. John’s College, which, though of precisely the same kind, yet were of different sizes, the leaves of some not being longer than three feet, while others reach nine feet in height. It had been found a very expensive crop in the Patea district, costing LlB to the acre, exclusive of clearing the land. It took several years before a plant of the phormium grew into a large bush from which the plant could be cut without endangering the whole crop. Mr Tinne said that he had observed in the Kaipara that the natives had made attempts to grow the phormium, but they had succeeded very indifferently. They said it did not pay themIt was found also that a crop sown in Sept, had failed, whereas one sown in Dec. had turned out very well. He was also informed that a rainfall upon a seed just sown caused it to spring up very quickly. Mr Palmer said, in corroboration of what was stated by Mr Tinne, it had been found that phormium sown in the autumn had rotted in the ground while that sown in the spring grew very fast. Colonel Hultain said the report of the commissioners would, no doubt, be made public, lie had prepared the few facts mentioned, knowing the subject to be one of practical interest to persons interested in the manufacture of the fibre. Mr Tinne exhibited two sped nuns of dressed flax. He expressed an opinion that the tire was injured by the process of bleaching.