The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1932. FLAX CULTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1932. FLAX CULTURE.

Sometime ago it was stated that investigations were being made, by the Government through the Department of Agriculture into flax culture, and the correct selection of strains that would .provide a fibre more suitable for world requirements than that lat present available. It is now stated that no definite move had yet been made to give effect to a reported recommendation in the Imperial Economic Oommitetee’s report on hemp that the Dominion should consider the appointment of an enigineer to deal with the machinery used in the industry. Messages from London stated the committee considered that the possibility should be explored, and a station established to conduct cultural experiments arm demons twite the results to millowners. It was stated by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research that experiments with various classes of seeds liadl been conducted in New Zealand for about two or three years, but there were many difficulties to be overcome, arc] it had proved impossible so far to tlalce I any definite move in the direction of mechanising the industry to the extent necessary. It is considered by the department’s experts that .if the industry could be mechanised so that flax could te handled as an ordinary crop as far s reaping and treatment for the extraction of the fibre are concerned, it would he placed in ..a morei favourable commercial position.

The present methods are considered too costly, and manual handling gives little chance for large-scale efficiency. Up to the present, however, any attempt to grow flax -as a crop would not lie satisfactory, as it is extremely hard ts, grow the plants so that they will be of even quality. This would be essential if they were to be harvested in one operation as a crop. Until ,r.rr even grade of fibre can he evolved, complete ‘mechnniisation of the indusfiihy is considered unworkable. The d:eojirtment recently investigated a pa'©nt machine fo.r handling flax «pd treating, it in bulk, but this did not prove entirely satisfactory, partly because. tire machine had been adapted for treating sisal. However, experiments ate at present being carried out in New Zealand in an attempt to secure a machine that will perform efficient stripping. In the meantime, attention is bed.bg givein to the culture of suitable strains.