THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1225, 26 March 1914, Page 4

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

The hemp received at the grading stores during February showed ■iule or no improvement on that of the previous month, '-'here is a tendency ou the pr-, some millers to sacrifice every .nhg to quantity, by rushing more leaf .hrougi’ the strippers than the machines car strip to advantage, with the result that the \ r-getVo matter is uc f corap’otel; removed, and in some vases is badly crushed. In many instances no 1 ufly do the after-processes rail to correct the trouble, but they aggravate it. That so many millers are working to a low standard is a matter lor regret. The reputation of phormium fibre ou oversea markets must suffer seriously if reform is not soon effected. That some millers find it profitable to mill a good quality fibre is proof enough that there is Hi tie excuse for the inferior product being milled—that is, where leaf of decent quality is available. It is recognised that much of the leaf being milled is of an unsatisfactory standard. There is still some grub affected leaf about, and the excessive flowering of phormium plants this season has a certain effect on the quality of the leaf, which contains less sap, and is consequently of a more woody nature, thus increasing the difficulty of stripping the leaf effectively and the securing of a good colour in the dressed fibre. Where possible, millers would he well advised to cease cutting during April and May, when the worst frosts of the year are experienced. It is the common experience—in the Manawatu district, at least —that these early frosts have a disastrous effect ou the young shoots which come away immediately alter the leaf has been cut. I know of instances where patches of phormium have beeu quite killed out by the effect of an early frost on the freshly harvested clumps. Many flax areas would undoubtedly benefit by a spell at the present time, especially in view of the exhausting effect on the plant by the exceptional production of seed stalks this season.

The export figures tor the past month show a high percentage of “common” grade fibre. This has been largely due to a number of millers clearing out accumulated stocks of inferior fibre; and, unfortunately, they have reserved these low grade parcels for a poor market. Tow is still being baled in an unsatisfactory condition, many millers failing to realise the necessity of removing the rubbish from this by product and shipping it in a decent condition.--W. H. Ferris in the journal of the Department tor Agriculture. FEBRUARY GRADING RETURNS. HEMP. The total number of bales graded was 13,709, as compared with r 6,082 for the corresponding month of last year, a decrease of 2,373 bales. For the twelve mouths ending 28th February, 1914, the number of bales graded was 166,216, as compared with 111,786 for the previous twelve months, the increase being 54,430 bales. The number graded at each port was as follows ;—Wellington 5,198, Foxtou 3,776. Auckland 2,339, Bluff 1,530, Dunedin 417, Pictou 244, Blenheim i 56, Napier 139The following are the details of the grading at each port:— . Fair. Port. Fair, high l ow '"'om.

Forty-eight bales at Wellington and 27 at Picton obtained fine grade. Twenty-one bales at Auckland, n at Foxton, and 20 at Wellington were rejected, and 40 at Auckland condemned. TOW. During the mouth 4,126 bales were dealt with, as compared with 5,710 for the corresponding mouth

of last year, a decrease of 1,584 bales. For the twelve mouths ending 28th February, 1914, the number of bales graded was 55,454, as compared with 37,2.50 lor the previous twelve months, an Increase of 18,204 bales.

Port. First Grade. Sec’nd Grade. Third GradeTotal

Condemned: Auckland 169, Wellington 15, Blenheim 8, Bluff 25.

Stripper-slips.—Passed for ex port: Foxton 121, Wellington 67 ; total 188.

Auckland 2S1 606 1,012 279 Napier 90 49 — Foxton 1,^62 2.2/1 316 1x6 Well’gton 1,311 2,003 i)277 539 Blenheim 166 — — Pictcm 1 2 101 4 — Dunedin 240 14/ iS 4 Bluff 722 609 175 • 24

Auckland — *37 530 S36 Napier 30 *9 4 53 Foxton 125 470 204 814 Wellington 233 526 590 *,357 Blenheim — 10S 21 129 Pictou 5 r » 94 — *50 Dunedin — "19 78 127 Bluff iS 298 3*9 660