THE NEW FIBRE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1928, Page 6

THE NEW FIBRE

FUTURE PROSPECTS

INTEREST IN LANCASHIRE

(British Official Wireless,)

* i - R UGBY, Nov. 28. The discovery of -The- plant that yields a high percentage of fibre and is calculated to provide an alternative to cotton, lias created great interest in Lancashire and demands for specimens, of the- fibre--have far exceeded the limitts of.'the immediately availaide material, wliicli is' being cultivated ili. the eastern .English counties. Experts who have inspected specimens! agree that, if anything like adequate production can be assured, the fibre should prove distinctly useful. Tiie “Manchester Guardian’’ says the fibre is of tho best order. It is lustrous and in appearance, resembles flax, while under the miscrosoope it is almost indistinguishable from flax. It is reported that the dyeing of the yarn formed by mixing 1 the fibre with cotton presents no -particular difficulty. Representatives of the larger cotton intersts in Lancashire, however, arc awaiting'more definite information regarding the prospects of production before further serious consideration of its commercial possibilities are undertaken. It' is rocognisod. nevertheless, that the new fibre would have an advantage in that, if successfully cultivated, the raw material would lie reapable, and would not be required to be picked or pulled.