THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1049, 28 May 1912, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

CHIEF GRADER’S REPORT. The quality of the hemn o? ihe the past month has b~- ■. L.<r• \ good throughout the D-miiutuu. A much larger proponum t h.;n usual has exhibited au aupiovcment in colour and stripping. The weakness has been in scutching, and this drawback has been noticeable in even some of the better grades. In the lower qualities, however, it has been a common defect. Attempting to rush the work and consequent slumming of it has been no doubt the principal cause. It has to be remembered that satisfactory work in every detail is necessary to secure a good commercial fibre. Instances have come under my notice where millers are aiming at special quality hemp, and with profitable results. One Manawatu miller has contracted to supply a high-pointed “fine” hemp to a southern cordage - manufacturer. The supplies that have gone forward have given every satisfaction to the buyer. North Island hemp specially appeals to local cordage firms by reason of its good length. The fibre in question has this desirable quality for cordage purposes combined with excellent colour and strength. No doubt it will be largely used with the special qualities available in the South, and which are too short for the making of certain grades of twine. Generally there is a shortage of fine-quality hemp in the South Island, owing to several mills having good ieat not vvoiking this season. Au important improvement is being effected a t several Manawatu mills in strip-ping-machines. A drawback to the stripper in vogue is that it is too narrow to permit of heavy feeding with satisfactory results. Only from two to three large blades can be well stripped, and when a greater number are fed, as is too often the case, the stripping is ineffective. The improvement being made is to widen the whole machine, so that with broader and heavier drum, rollers, and beating-bar more blades can be led and with satisfactory results. This means greater economy in production, while the quality 01 the fibre is not affected. A necessary consequence will be au increase in the size of the washing machinery in use. A weakness in feed-rollers which has been causing much trouble has been the liability ot the rollers to grip the thinner portion of the blade ol flax, with the result that this part of the blade has been olteu left quite uustripped, and, as no afterprocess could remedy the defect, the grade of the fibre has had to be reduced. A method adopted to overcome this trouble was the provision ot pinions, which, however, sometimes faded to act. A better idea has been introduced in the mill of Messrs Coley and Bock. This is au improvement in the pulley which keeps the top roller constantly revolving, thus always holding the blades in position. Several Foxtou millers have copied the new principle, permission to use which may be obtained Irom the originators, the firm mentioned above. Not only does this effective holding of the blades permit the whole of the fibre to be secured, but it enables the feeder to put a much larger amouut ot phormium through the stripper. At one time the flax mill was invariably on a small scale, only one stripper being employed, it was considered impracticable to duplicate the strippers in the one plant; in fact, several attempts to do this resulted in failure. Of late years, however, the adoption of improved methods and appliances has demonstrated that there is practically no limit to the number of strippers that can be used in one mill. The saving effected in consequence has been considerable, as the output can be expanded with a corresponding decrease in the ratio ol cost of production. At the present time there is evidence that a considerable extension ot this principle is probable in the near future ; iu fact, it is uot too much to predict that the single stripper will soon disappear iu the Manawatu, and that small expensive plants will have to give way to concentrated up-to-date mills, iu which the cost of production will be reduced to the lowest possible point. Hemp values are being well maintained. Good fair has been quoted at ,£lB, and high-point fair £u t.o.b. Wellington. There is still a keen demand for tow. Prices are firm and the demand is unsatisfied, Home manufacturers complaining that there is not being sufficient offered for their requirements. — Mr W- H. Feiris, in the Journal of the Department ot Agriculture.