CULTIVATION OF FLAX.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5500, 13 November 1929, Page 2

CULTIVATION OF FLAX.

WORK AT GORDONTON. TRANSFORMING PEAT SWAMP. The transformation of scrub-cov-ered peat swamp land into cultivated areas of flax country is proceeding on a block of 3000 acres on Piako road, Gordonton. Operations on the area were commenced in May, 1928, and A since then 482 acres have been cleared of scrub, ploughed and harrowed and ♦. planted in flax. Twenty-three men, with four tractors, ploughs and other field implements, are employed on the area (states the Cambridge paper). Flax is to be seen in all stages of development. Seed beds, with tiny plants just forcing their way through the ground, occupy one corner of the block. The nursery consists of 52i acres, and 1,000,000 seedlings are to ■ be seen in various stages of growth. Those seedlings which have developed sufficiently to warrant transplanting are removed and planted in straight rows, 10ft apart, with sft between each plant in the rows. Particular attention hae been given to the drains, and miles of deep conduits intersect the property. The - land is flat for many square miles and jhe uniform rows of flax plants pre- y sent an unusual and interesting sight. Planting, which is a sensational operation, is proceeding at the rate of 15 acres a day. A few years ago it was impossible to traverse the area owing to the water with which it was inundated, but now the land is dry and firm and the water level is 6ft below the surface of the area.