THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1305, 1 October 1914, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

It was thought that the war would have a detrimental effect on the fibre industry, but there is little evidence of this at present. The majority of the mills iu the Manawatu district are running at full pressure. It is rather early for fibre shipments in other districts, and it is probable mills iu some localities will not resume operations until things are more settled, writes Mr W. H. Ferris in the Journal of Agriculture. The season has favoured early harvesting of the leaf. The swamps are in good condition, and the leaf is in a particularly healthy state, a vast improvement being noticeable on that of the leat available during the past two seasons. The quality of the fibre reaching the grading ports of Wellington and Foxton proves the soundness of the leaf now being milled. The weather has been ideal for hemp milling, the good colour of the lines being graded showing that excellent bleaching conditions must have been experienced. As the work of stripping is satisfactory, a high class product is being turned out, millers evidently realising that with the good leaf available it is a comparatively simple matter to turn out a choice fibre. Given reasonable shipping facilities there is no need to feel alarmed as to the season’s prospects. Everything points to an improved demand for binder twine in Australia and America, and good values should therefore rule for New Zealand phormium fibre.