EUROPEAN FLAX.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2149, 14 January 1881, Page 3

EUROPEAN FLAX.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB FBBBB. Sib, —In my communication of Ootober 9th last, I stated that, with your permission, I would revert to the flax question at a future time. The time has now arrived for doing so. The flax crop is rapidly approaching maturity, and several enquiries have reaohed me as to whether or not there will be any market for the straw this season. It is matter of muoh regret that steps have not been taken to utilise the straw of the present crop—the seed will take care of itself. From careful enquiries I have gathered that there are from 150 to 200 acres under flax this season in Canterbury, a considerable portion of which has grown to a sufficient length to produce fibre of the best quality, and which, under proper management, would pay handsomely for pulling by hand, as I hope to show farther on. The question now for urgent consideration is, how are we to go about establishing the flax industry, which I fearlessly assert will, if fairly tested, lead to the happiest results for our country ; opening up a grand industry and furnishing employment for a large section of our working classes,, and that at a season when other out-door employment is scarce. In a former communication, the system which I suggested as offering the greatest prospect of success was that a company of praotioal working men might be formed, who would secure a piece of well watered grassland in a central distriot, and that they should be prepared to purchase the crop either standing or otherwise from the grower, and do the steeping and other processes of manufacture themselves. A large amount of experience is required to oarry out these operations successfully, but we have plenty of knowledge at hand in the shape of experienced working men from the North of Ireland. The machinery required for preparing the fibre sufficiently for the manufacture of twine, &0., is of the simplest description and inexpensive. An opinion prevails in the minds of some to the effect that if the flax plant is allowed to ripen its seed the fibre will bo of no value. This is quite erroneous. Those who are familiar with the subject are aware that perhaps the finest fibre in the world is produced in Oourtrai, where the universal practice is to allow the crop to stand till ripe. The fibre produced from such treatment has been known to realize over £2OO per ton, while in Ireland the plant i* pulled and steeped in its green state, involving the total loss of the seed. The average price of flax in that country last year was £56 per ton; a fact which speaks for itself. A company hag recently been formed in Ireland for the purpose of developing and folly utilizing the flax crop. Adopting the Oourtrai system, whereby the work of the farmer would end when he had brought the plant to maturity, I have no hesitation in asserting that the Oourtrai system as described, is eminently suited to our circumstances. The probable return from an acre of flax, of, say, 30 inches in length, would, if intelligently utilised, be approximately as follows: £ Seed, 20 bushels at 9s 9 H tons of straw, worth £1 per ton ... 6 £ls Cost of production— Bent, ploughing, seed, and harvesting £4 Pulling by hand and rippling ... 4 8 Profit per acre £7 It is at this stage that the experienced hands should step in as above suggested, and carry on the preparation of the fibre, ready for the spinner. The probable return to this department would be as follows : —l} tons of straw, equal to 6 cwt. of fibre at 5d per lb., equal to £l4 6s. Those who have had experience in flax dressing will, I think, bear me out in my figures, and admit that I have rather under-estimated the returns. I have named 5d per lb. as a price, which leaves a sufficient margin for profit to the spinner, and enables him to sell his twine at a prioe which would defy competition from the out-.Je market.'ln this morning's issue of the Pbbbs I noticed a suggestive paragraph headed "The Export of Flax" (native), which does not say much for our own enterprise—sending the raw material to a neighboring colony for manufacture into rope and paper, &o. It would be an interesting experiment if some one who has a quantity of flax too short for fibre, would after threshing have it baled after the manner of wool (but without sacking), and send one bale of say 3 owt. to each of the paper mills in this and the other colonies, I believe the result would be satisfactory. This is an atpeot of the question our Industrial Association (which is doing such good work) might very well take up, at least so far as obtaining a free transit and a fair trial for the material. I may add, in conclusion, that a local twine spinner has expressed his willingness to giye our flax a trial if he can procure a good sample of straw. Any one having suoh can have full information on the subjeot on application to this office. I read somewhere lately a statement to the effect that " if we are not willing to grow wheat at 2s per bushel, we hod better prepare to die." I for one am not disposed to accept either alternative. We have a soil and climate unsurpassed for the production of most of the coonomic plants, wool, meat, and green crops ; but, sir, we must help ourselves. Thanking you for your space, M. Mttbphy, Secretary Canterbury A. and P. Association.