PHORMIUM TENAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 27 August 1907, Page 3

PHORMIUM TENAX.

The Possibilities In our Fibre. New Zealand Flax Canvas. It is generally contended in flaxmilling circles says the N. Z. Times, that the demand for the finer grades of New Zealand hemp does not warrant millers giving any attention to them, but that ‘ ‘ good fair ’ ’ appeals to a trade which can take practically unlimited quantities of the native product, in other words that it is useless endeavouring to cater to a trade—that for the manufacture of fabrics—for which our hemp is not huited, while it will only pay to mill for rope and twine makers for the trade of which “ good fair ” quality is specially adapted. This accounts for the very small proportion of the higher grades shipped during the past season. But granting that millers know their own business best their present policy does not by any means decide whether New Zealand hemp is or is not suitable for the manufacture of certain classes of fabric. More than one traveller has brought to this country “silk” handkerchiefs declared to made from New Zealand hemp, but flax people give no credence to the statement. There is at present living in Wellington an old settler who has a piece of a sail manufactured many years ago from our flax ; and now a Scottish firm is manufacturing canvas trom New Zealand flax. Samples have been submitted to the director of Experimental Stations. Mr E. Clifton, by Mr C. W. Budd, of Christchurch, agent for the makers, Messrs R. Wemyss and Co., of Kirkcaldy, Scotland. The canvas is made in three grades/the higher grades being suitable for mail bags, and the coarse grades for horse covers, tarpaulins, etc. The material is of excellent quality, and has been generally admired by those who have inspected it. Phorraium tenax does not constitute the entire texture, which is a mixture of ' a major portion of Home-grown flax and a minor portion of phormium. Experiments are to be conducted in the direction of prov-

ing what proportion of phormium may be employed with advantage. The material is 36 in in width, and is quoted at 13d a yard for first quality, i4d for second quality and 13d for third quality. The Flaxmillers’ Association could doubtless obtain serviceable 1 information for its members were it to communicate with Messrs Wemyss and Co. and get full particulars of the most desirable method ;of dressing our flax for the purposes to which the firm is puttingJit.