THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1079, 6 August 1912, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

The hemp which came forward for shipment last month was of a less satisfactory character than that of any mouth during the past season. This, however, was the fault of unfavourable weatherconditions. Heavy rains had in many cases flooded the bleachingpaddocks, with the result that the milling of the fibre was not only delayed, but a large percentage of it was discoloured. The strength was thereby affected as well as the colour.

With the advent of winter the majority of the mills have closed down. More plants will, however, continue operations right throughout the year than is usually the case.

Late shipments show that stripping is still being maintained at an excellent standard. Very little bruised and broken fibre is coming to hand, the bulk of the lines graded being of a good spinning standard. An improvement in the tails of the hanks has been noticeable, due, however, more to the fibre having to remain a long time in the field and thereby enabling the tails to be scutched more effectively than to improved work in the scutching process.

Judging.by the care being taken by some millers with stripper-slips, this by-product promises to become an important item of export during the coming season. Improved methods for dealing with the slips are already in progress, while others are in contemplation. One advance made is the drying of the material on wires instead of on the ground-. A newly-formed company is experimenting with an improved process of dressing phormiumfibre. Tests are being conducted at a Foxton mill, and the experimenters are sanguine of success.

A trial with the automatic scutcher of Messrs Suttie and Wyuyard proved very successful. One or two small details have yet to be improved upon. Prices are steady, but little business is being transacted owing to the limited winter output. Tow continues a scarce commodity, and is still in great demand. —Mr W. H. Ferris, in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture.

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