THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1469, 6 November 1915, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Some improvement has been noticeable in the quality of the hemp forwarded lor shipment during the past month from Manawatu mills. Wairarapa, Marlborough, Westland, Canterbury, and Southland maintained a fibre ot good quality, having apparently consistently worked to , a good fair standard, and in some f cases to a fine grade. In this •they were assisted by having a supply of good leaf. In many instances in these districts the leaf has been sorted into different lengths. This sound practice not only means better and more uniform stripping and more effective scutching, but greater uniformity in the baled fibre. Besides the increased commercial value of the latter, there is less waste in the milling process, a saving which more than compensates lor slightly increased cost of production. The flax grub or caterpillar has again made its appearance in the Manawatu district, and is working havoc in some phormium areas, making it practically impossible for millers working the affected flax to secure a good-fair grade ; while the broken character of the fibre leads to an increase in the quantity of tow produced and a deterioration in its quality. It is to be regretted that many millers do not realise the importance of keeping really badly diseased leaf apart from the better quality. They should not overlook the fact that the value of the line must be determined by the inferior portion. That is the principle on which the manufacturing trade buys its raw material, and it is a principle which must be largely observed in the work of grading. If prices are maintained the season’s output should constitute a record. Practically all mills in the Manawatu are working at full pressure, and the supply of leaf is abundant.