THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2593, 14 June 1923, Page 2

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

YELLOW LEAF DISEASE

In reference to the controversy which has recently taken place in connection with the causes and preventive and experimental measures being' carried out by the Flaxmillers Association and for which financial assistance is being asked from the Government, Mr R. T. Bell says:—

“Mr Wm. Ross' remarks re “burning the candle at both ends” in re linxinilling and fattening bullocks, almost constitutes a libel upon the methods of his neighbouring millers. For instance, an erea of 800 acres of the Riverdale Estate, which adjoins Mr Ross’ property, has been conserved for flax growing only and has never had cattle upon it at all. This area suffered most severely from the “yellow leaf” disease, which was brought about owing to having throe consecutive dry summers. T am satisfied the blight belongs to the potato blight family, which makes its inroads mostly in dry weather. The last tli.ree summers have been just as wet as the previous three wore dry. Those climatic conditions have favoured, very materially, the growth of flax and my contention is that Mr Ross is only claiming credit for something nature has helped us with. There may have been an isolated condition where cattle have done harm to the growing flax hut climatic conditions are, in the main, responsible for the recent reeoVerv of the growth of the plant. A return of dry summers may accentuate the disease and those in charge of the experiments now being undertaken at Maranui realise this and are, therefore; doing their best to create a plant which will resist disease under any climatic conditions.”