Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1903. PhormiuM Tenax.

Manawatu Herald, 9 June 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1903. PhormiuM Tenax.

As we are gathering all the information concerning the Phormium Tenax that we can, so as to enable a satisfactory conclusion to be come to as to the best plant to be grown for commercial uses, it would be well to start at the beginning. The Phormium Tenax is the plant known as “ Flax lily,” or New Zealand Flax, and obtains its name from “ phorxugs ” a basket, and ” tenax ” strong. The use of flax by the old Maoris for baskets was more particularly noticed than their use of the fibre for dress making. It is a hardy herbaceous perennial and is increased by divisions of the roots and by seed. It grows in bunches or groups of plants or shoots, each shoot having five leaves. Ten of these shoots go to a bunch on the average, or in all, fifty leaves. These vary, according to the soil from five to ten feet in length, and each consists of a double-bladed leaf which when closed is from two inches to four inches wide.

For commercial purposes we have to seek the flax -which grows the best in swamps and has the toughest fibre. The beautiful fibre obtained by the Natives for their cloaks and mats, whilst exceedingly nice, is not for tha character and growth altogether adapted for mill dressing and for the purposes the present exported fibre is put to. We are under obligation to Mr Napoleon Heta who has interested himself in securing first hand from the weavers of splendid mats most reliable information on the kinds and qualities of flax used. The Maoris have uses for all kinds of flax and it is interesting to learn as to how they are classed. The palm of superiority is given to the “ Tihore,” which is a strong grower running up to-twelve feet in height, and liking a moist soil. This plant is much sought after, and there is a patch of it at Motuiti planted there about three years ago. The Paritaniwha has a similarly fine fibre and is as much in repute.

We have the fact that the Maoris choose six different kinds of flax for making mats, being the Tihore, Paritaniwha, Tarariki, Awanga, Wharariki, and Mataroa. The Tarariki grows to sixteen feet in good soil and the leaves hang over nearly to the ground. The fibre is very soft. It is noted that the fibre contained in the leaves that hang is always soft. The Awanga is one of the principal flax growths used and the fibre is easily stripped of vegetation, it being said that all you have to do is to put it between your fingers and the vege. tation peels off, leaving the fibre looking like wool, which, after being hung dries like silk. It is generally worked up for the use of mats for chiefs in war. It is to be found at Turakina. The Wharariki is mostly used for the larger flax mats, as is the Mataroa. We thus find that the different classes of flax have been well noted by the Maoris and used for the best purposes they are suited for. In making mats we know that strength and tastefubess is shown, and in some kind or another the above different fibres are used. It may not

however be generally known that mats are known as Paepaeroa, or Parawai, though they also refer to the long striped mats worn by chiefs over the one shoulder. There are also the mafca called *• Aroma” being tbo shortest dress worn by men ami women, as well as the “ Huaki,” “ Hovihori,” and Torotoro ” The “ Pekerangi ” which is worn over the left shoulder,, and if such a dress was WO’u by the wearer on his right Shoulders, or both, it would distino tively mark him as not a Maori. Then there is the Kovowhai and the “ Hekakahupukupuku,” a cloth which must have been made of the best of work and the best of fibre as it was worn by chiefs in war time to keep the spears of their opponents entering their bodies. It is reckoned tougher than bull’s hide. We come now to the kinds of flax noted for the strength of the fibre rather than its fineness. The “ Oneroa ” has a large fibre, a bit coarse, but very strong. A flax much used is the Tapora, as when plaited into plates for whitebait to be cooked on, it becomes tender and without bitterness in its taste, that fish and basket' are both eaten. The fibre is very fine and the double leaf opened out is ten inches wide. It grows about sixteen feet in height. There is some growing at Motuith The “Wbaranui” is our Common or local flax, found growing around the river and its adjoining swamps ; ‘the fibre is not strong. The plant which appears to be the one best adapted for planting is the “ Tukura,” which grows on the edges of swamps by a sandridge. Years ago before the fine flax field on the Motoa estate was destroyed there used to be a good growth Of this particular kind on the ridge near the Red House. We were not aware at the time of the reasons which prompted Natives from Motuiti, Moutoa and Poroutawhaio to travel to this place to get flax when they appeared to- have any quantity in their immediate vicinity, but it was to get some of the “ Tuhuroa,” which has a very strong fibre and is desired by the Maoris for their ropes and fishing linos, and is considered by them equal to Manila. The leaf has a red stripe on the edge. We desire to notice a very curious impression held by many that you i cannot successfully sow the seed of flax. We have been told by those who have tried to, unsuccessfully, that it cannot be, and an ingenious way has been suggested, viz., that you must feed poultry with the seed to get it to sprout. It is argued that flax in the swamps have been spread by the pukehas in this way. It is however well known that many seeds are formed with such a hard casing that one year’s time in the ground is insufficient to soften the skin, such instances are to be found in the wattle, and the seeds of many American pines. The trouble is avoided by steeping the seed for a certain time in warm water before sowing, and the flax appears to need similar treatment. We are now touching the important question of growing flax but we feel there is much more that can be brought to light by inquiries and wo therefore ask our informants and readers to still keep the matter well ventilated for the benefit of the district and colony. What we should like to secure definite information on is the host manner of planting and the estimated rate of growth, and the time, after planting, the leaves could be cut with the probable weight per bush.