THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 988, 6 May 1911, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

“ In many cases the quality of the hemp which reached the grading stores during the month would have been pointed much higher but for the unsatisfactory work in scutching,” remarks Mr W. H. Ferris in the Agricultural Journal. “ This branch of milling is invariably done under the contract system, and the tendency is to aim at the quantity rather than at the quality. One resulSy. of poor scutching, and the consequent bad tail of the hanks, is that cordage-manufacturers experience great trouble in spinning, owing to the presence of knots or ‘ tow-balls ’ in the improperly treated tail. Oversea buyers in general complain bitterly of this weakness, which is having a detrimental effect on the sale of phormium-fibre. This fault has to be recognised in grading, and many a parcel dealt with during the past month has had, in consequence, to be put in a lower grade than that which the quality of the body of the fibre merited. Many millers do not attach the importance to colour that they should. The best grades of rival fibres have a much batter colour than is general with the bulk of New Zealand hemp, and this is being made the most of by foreign buyers, especially where the hemp is required for special purposes. In many cases the water in which the hemp is washed is the cause of the bad colour, but in too many instances the trouble is due to carelessness in the paddocking. In some cases, however, it has been impossible to secure the colour desired even where every care has been taken, owing to the absence of night dews and prevailing dry weather, which has been all against effective bleaching. The trouble is more pronounced where the hemp has been badly washed.”