THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1034, 23 April 1912, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

The hemp which came forward for shipment in March was generally of a gratifying quality, a big increase in the proportion of goodfair quality being noticeable. Better stripping was the chief reason for the improvement, while there was a noticeable increase in the amount of good-coloured hemp. Better scutching was also observable. Even millers turning out fair hemp have been producing a better article than usual, the bulk of the lines of this being pointed high. The good weather, of course, contributed to the better work accomplished, ideal bleaching conditions being experienced during the greater part of the month.

The millers of the Manawatu continue to work at high pressure, and are steadily extending their operations, the while progressive methods are being adopted. At present values the business is apparently proving profitable where a good supply of phormium is available within easy distance.

There is an impression abroad that unless certain improved types of strippers are employed it is impossible for millers to reach a good-fair grade. This is quite erroneous. As a matter ol fact, the milling of a superior article depends more on the expertness of the stripper-keeper than on the machine he is working. I have seen and graded some of the best hemp produced which has been stripped by an old-style machine, with a stationary beating-bar, while I have handled a most disappointing fibre stripped with one of the most up-to-date strippingmachines on the market. The great advantage of a stripper having a spindle that will “give” is that it is not so likely to injure the fibre when an excessive amount of leaf is fed into the machine. Given proper management, better work can certainly be done with the improved stripper than with the old-time form, while an increased output is thereby made possible.

Tow continues to be a very payable by-product. To the uninitiated it may be explained that in scutching phormium-fibre —holding the stripped and bleached hanks (a collection'of about fifteen stripped flax leaves) against a rapidly revolving skeleton wooden drum —all short adhering fibres and extraneous matter are removed. These fall behind the machine, and, after being well shaken, to remove any rubbish and dust, constitute what is technically known as “tow.’' In reality, tow comprises some of the finest fibres of the phormium plant, and is highly esteemed by manufacturers where length of fibre is not essential. Before the advent of tow grading, millers did not take the necessary care to remove extraneous matter, and in consequence of being exported in an unsatisfactory condition, the product fell into much disfavour —iu fact, a payable market connection for it was lost. With grading, and a consequent guarantee of quality, a good demand lor tow has arisen, buyers having confidence iu the quality exported, and are finding such good uses for it that the supply is not equal to the demand.

Another by-product of the industry, stripper-slips, is also being improved. In only a few casts, however, are millers paying the attention to the get-up of this hitherto waste material that they should. These more progressive men are not only drying it properly, but are teasing it in a scutcher, to free the fibre and gel rid ot the bulk ot the extraneous matter. Others, however, are sending the slips lorwara in a very unsatisfactory condition. The improvement in output and quality relerred to above is practically confined to the Mauavvatu. At Auckland and Southland the fibre being submitted for grading is generally unsatisfactory. A few millers in the latter district, however, are turning out a fairly good article —m one or two cases highpointed good-fair and even fine has been reached. These better Southland qualities are all absorbed by local cordage works. — Mr W. H. Ferris, in the March issue of the Journal ot the Department ol Agriculture.