THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 994, 20 May 1911, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

In the current number of the Journal of the Department of Agriculture Mr W. 11. Ferris, Chief Hemp Grader, has some iuteresting notes for millers. He reports : “Recognising that uniformity in the work of grading is imperative, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, approved of a temporary transfer of the grading officers. The graders, in consequence, are being afforded full opportunity to study the hemp being produced in different parts ot the Dominion and to compare their conception of the grades with that of their fellow-graders. Before the graders return to their own ports a conference will be held in Wellington in order to bring about a thoroughly uniform conception on the part of all the officers in regard to hemp quality —the features to be encouraged and the weaknesses to be checked. The graders will also be afforded an opportunity of visiting the most up-to-date mills in the Wellington Province, so that they may become acquainted with the several developments in milling machinery which have taken place during the past few years. It is expected by this means to circulate in the various hemp-milling districts sound ideas in regard to the best and most economical methods of hemp production. “During the month of April a considerable decline in production of hemp, especially in the Manawalu district, took place, owing principally to overtime work being relinquished (due to the winter weather interfering with the bleaching process), and, in a smaller degree, to temporary cessation of work owing to the Easter holidays. “While the improved strippers have eliminated one of the chief drawbacks to the preparation of phormium hemp in the past —the bruising and breaking of the fibre —there is a tendency under the new method to go to the other extreme, and produce a fibre of too course and wiry a character. Not only is the body of the fibre too strong, but it is very difficult, owing to the improper elimination of the vegetable matter, to secure a good colour under the circumstances. There are quite enough coarse fibres on foreign markets, and manufacturers look to the better grades of New Zealand hemp to give them a soft free thread. The new strippers have worked a revolution, owing to their having obviated the rigidity which caused the bruising of the fibre, but care must be taken that too much play is not allowed, so that while fibre is secured free of bruise it may he thoroughly stripped. It is gratifying to know that experiments are still being conducted with the object of further improving the process.

“In regard to the work of the past month the weaknesses complained of iu the April issue of the journal are still manifest, especially the failure to properly scutch the tails, which is a general defect. This is particularly noticeable where millers do not clip the tails of the hanks before the scutching process.’’