THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 393, 4 June 1908, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Phormium Hybrids.

Experiments at Ruakura

A Rust-Proof Oat.

A Press representative, in conversation with Ur. Cockayne at the Ruakura experimental station, was informed of the nature of the experiments to be carried out by the Government. “ They will be more particularly applied to crossfertilisation,” said the Doctor, “a scientific branch of farming which has hitherto been practically neglected in New Zealaud, and it is confidently anticipated that the results will prove of inestimable value to the farming community as a whole. My instructions have been to commence operations with the New Zealand flax (Phormium Tenax), in order to raise a plant which shall contain a much higher percentage of first-class fibre, and which generally is more suitable for milling purposes than any variety of phormium known at present.

“I find at Ruakura, thanks to the work of Mr M’Gregor, an excellent collection of different forms of flax ready for experiment, and I find that Mr Green is a highlytrained botanist, and Mr Dibble a capable manager. I have, along with Mr Green, examined all the different varities of phormium growing ou the farm, aud I have made extensive notes of their distinctive characteristics. By the end of next year the Ruakura station will be able to show hybrids between some of the best varieties, and some knowledge will also be gained of the hereditary characteristics of certain distinct forms ; and a commencement will be made as to the effect of different soils, climates, aud manures upon the production of fibre.

“The farmers of the Waikato would very much like an absolutely rust-proof oat with grain of high-class quality,” continued the speaker. 11 Now, we cannot promise such a desideratum in case we might fail, but at any rate we shall do our best to produce such an oat; and that it is not an impossible feat is shown by the successful experiments of Mr R. H. Biffin, of the Cambridge University, England. “ It may be asked : ‘ When so many plant-breeding experiments are being carried on in different countries, why should it not be sufficient for New Zealand to import the new good varieties, and not trouble about plant-breeding at all?’ The answer to this is that plants of each region are best grown under special conditions the world over, and to find plants suitable for these special conditions local experiments will alone avail. My next move will be to the Waerenga station, as I am having a general look round to see the cababilities of each station in New Zealand ; but at this time of the year one can only plan out experiments for a time to come. ‘‘lam immensely struck with the potentialiles of the country, and am very much impressed with the splendid pasturage capabilities of these wet lauds, which, when drained, are fit for dairying purposes. Contrasted with the rich lands ot Taranaki, Canterbury, and Southland, this farm and the adjacent country compare more than favourably. Expert ments of the nature indicated have in the past only been conducted in a haphazard fashion, but in the future exact records of everything will be carefully kept, and there is no fear of their being lost sight of in time to come.”