GRAYLING’S EXTRACTS FROM NEW ZEALAND PLANTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1297, 16 May 1878, Page 3

GRAYLING’S EXTRACTS FROM NEW ZEALAND PLANTS.

It is singular, says the “ Taranaki Herald,” that nature’s gifts, with which New Zealand is so richly endowed, should be allowed to remain dormant, and that so seldom any attempt is made at their utilisation. On all sides of us are to be found the raw material which, if but rightly handled, might be reduced to a merchantable commodity, and from which enormous sources of wealth might be derived. Those who are acquainted with Mr Grayling are aware that, being of an active turn of mind, with an extensive knowledge of chemistry, he has for years past been most indefatigable in his endeavors to produce valuable extracts from the bark of trees and plants indigenous to Taranaki. Many of them have been forwarded to England, and the reports on them from the best authorities have been most encouraging. As our readers are aware, some samples that were sent to the Philadelphia Exhibition were considered so excellent that to him was awarded the first prize, with a bronze medal. All that Mr Grayling required was for some gentleman to come forward with capital to assist him to erect the necessary works. Such a gentleman ho has found in Major Brown, who has enabled him to erect the works we had the pleasure of visiting on Thursday last. One of the greatest annoyances an agriculturist experiences in this district is the fern. It occurred to Major Brown that this weed possessed certain tannic properties which might bo utilised ; and having got Mr Grayling to bring his chemical knowledge to bear on the matter, some was manufactured, and a small quantity forwarded to England to ascertain if a market could be found there for the extract. A favourable report was received, besides an order for five tons from a Bermondsey tanner in a large way of business being sent at the same time. This was sufficient encouragement to proceed with the manufacture.

The works are situated on the Sealey road, just at the foot of the steep hill. As the process has been patented, it can in no way harm the patentee our describing the manufacture. Outside the building is a large vat, capable of holding a thousand gallons, into which the fern, after being thoroughly dried, is placed. This vat is connected by a pipe with a sixhorse power s'earn engine, which is fixed inside the building. The fern is thoroughly steamed and watered for eight or ton hoars, and the liquid obtained ie then pained into item

jackets, of which there are two, one being 6ft. by 7ft., and a smaller one 2ft. by sft., both about a foot deep, and whore the liquid extract is heated to 200 degrees, so as to coagulate the albumen. It is then run into another steam jacket, about Bft. by 10ft. Ift. deep. These steam jackets, as they are called, consist of wooden tanks, lined with copper, an inch being allowed between it and the wood, and into the aperture the steam from the engine is turned on. In the largest steam jackets the liquid is kept agitated by means of a revolving drum with beaters, which is worked by a belt attached to the steam engine. The extract is then allowed to solidify, after which it is packed in boxes, and is ready to bo sent away. The fern extract, we learn, is far superior than that used at present by the tanners, as it gives weight to the leather, as well as tanning it. Mr Grayling intends to manufacture other extracts, as the demand arises for them. He also sent samples to the Paris Exhibition which will be shortly opened, and when the valuable quality of his extracts becomes known in Europe it is very probable that he will receive several test orders to be executed. The following is a list of the astringent extracts he proposes to manufacture : —Towai ( Weinmannia raremoxa), much commended as a tanning agent. Prize medal, Philadelphia, 1876—Rata Climber {Mctronderos Jtorida ), used by the Maoris as a styptic— Puriri or Ironwood ( Viter iittoralis), yields permanent yellow dyes—Tawa ( Nfsodnphne tawa), very effective in diarrhoea—Birch ( Fittflsporum ), good tanning agent —Honeysuckle ( Preteacrae Knightia JSxceha) as a dye gives various shades of brown—Taranaki Tanning Extract Compound from fern— Pukatea ( Atherosperma Novat Zealandae) valuable tonic, much used by the Maoris as a cure for neuralgia—Supplejack or New Zetland Cane ( Ripogonum scandens ), considered an excellent substitute for sarsaparilla Sulphate of a new alkaloid, from the Pukatea, named Disulphate of Taranakin.