THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1075, 28 November 1911, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

While the hemp reaching the ports of Wellington and Foxton is showing an increase on the quantity handled at this time last year, the quality is also showing an improvement. In several cases millers are being compelled to deal with unsatisfactory leaf, stiff considerably from the effects of disease, and “fair” is the best grade they can reach. However, the extent of diseased leaf is not so great as it was last season. Some fibre was damaged to a slight extent by the wet weather. The general improvement noticeable is in stripping and colour. The chief weakness —and it is as pronounced as it was last season —iu in scutching. Very few millers are adopting the excellent idea, illustrated in the September issue of the Journal, of cutting out the tail ends iu the paddock, thus leaving the objectionable tow-balls. Minn IMPROVKMKNTS.

On a recent visit of inspection to the mills ol the Mauawatu I was greatly struck with the iudications of progress taking place m the work of milling. Plants are being brought more up-to-date, while the capacity of a number has been increased. The patent Sutlie catcher and washer is being generally installed ; while a feature of the extension being made on the plants is the conversion of singlestripper mills into mills operating two and three strippers, thus doubling and trebling the capacity. The swamps are being more carefully managed, the necessity of clearing rubbish as the cutting proceeds being now more generally recognised. Unfortunately, iu some ol the swamps the leaf is being cut too far Irom the butt, with the result that the trade is being supplied with a badly stained hemp. It may be well to remind millers that staining Irom the butt is especially prejudicial to high grade quality. Manufacturers demand au absolutely cleau and even colour iu the best quality of fibre. At present market values, miUs iu the Auckland and bouthlanlfcL districts ate not finely to mill to any extent, owing to the raw material being iu scattered locations and the cost of transit ol the milled fibre, while few of the mills iu these districts have the up-to-date plants general in the Mauawatu. A slrght improvement in the value or hemp took place last mouth, which created au unproved demand. Good prices ate being paid for tow. With lire present big output of Manila it is not probable than any decided advance will lake place iu the value of phormium-fibre iu the near future. —Mr W. H. Ferris iu the Journal of the Department of Agriculture.

OCTOBER GRADING RETURNS.

The total number of bales of hemp graded during the month of October was 7,349, as compared with 8,870 for the corresponding mouth ot last year, a decrease of 1,521 bales. For the twelve months ending 31st October the number graded was 96,806, as compared with 127,589 tor the previous twelve months, a decrease ot 30,783 bales. / During the mouth 1,985 balfss of tow were dealt with, as compared with 2,772 for the corresponding mouth of last year, a decrease of 78 bales. The total quantity ot hemp and tow graded at each port was as follows : —Foxtou, 3,333 bales of hemp and 901 bales ot tow ; Wellington, 3,049 and 905 ; Auckland, 650 ; Bluff, 218 and 41 ; Lyttelton, 84 and 135 ; Dunedin, 15 aud 3The number of bales in each grade was as under;

At Foxton 11 bales were rejected, and at Wellington six were rejected and one condemned.

HEMP. Good Port. Fine. Fair. Fair. Cm, Auckland 81 562 7 Foxton too 1826 1329 07 Wellington 36 1622 1373 11 Lyttelton 84 Dunedin 15 Bluff 5« IS* 2

TOW. 1st. 2nd. 3rd. Port. Gr’de. Gr’de. Gr’de 1 Cond Foxtou 513 345 41 Wellington 482 302 64 57 Lyttelton 90 45 Dunedin 3 Bluff 40 I