HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2702, 1 March 1924, Page 2

HEMP INDUSTRY.

YELLOW LEAF DYING OUT. ASS<STATION’S RECOMMENDATIONS. Some little time ago the Manawatu was threatened with the extinction of the llaxmilling industry owing to the ravages of the yellow leaf disease. The New Zealand Flaxmillers Association made every endeavour to combat the disease and also undertook a vast amount of experimental work towards the improvement of the flax plant, while the chairman, Mr A. Seifert, conducted private experiments on his own account. The expense entailed was borne by the llaxmiilers aided in small measure by the Government. The latter’s contribution, however, was decreased to such an extent during the second year of-the scheme that the association found it impossible to devote the necessary time to the project, maintaining that a little general attention would lie of no value, The association was finally advised by t he Department. of Agriculture that the latter was prepared to further the scheme, but in the meantime the work had lapsed. The millers, however, expressed their preparedness to have the grading charge increased to sixpence per ton provided the money collected by the additional charge lie devoted lo the improvement of the llax plant by selection and breeding. VALUE OF SIDE GUTTING. Si >me little time elapsed before a reply was received from the Department, but- at Thursday's meeting of the association a letter from the Director-General advised that a general investigation had been made, particularly from the point of view of endeavouring to ascertain to what extent the new method of side-cutting had operated in improving the vigour and yield of the llax plants, and also in overcoming the yellow leaf disease. The information which had been forthcoming had revealed undoubted beneficial results ami it was proposed to keep the matter under further observation. The writer expressed his preparedness to go further into the matter of continuing the general work considered necessary for the purpose of improving the growth of llax generally and was anxious to know on what lines the association would suggest the work be carried out. While expressing plesure at the willingness of the millers to have an increased grading charge made, the writer did not think it would be reasonable to make any recommendation to the Minister regarding such an increased charge until they had some definite idea as to what it would be possible to do in the way of research and experimental work. Following some discussion on the matter, it was resolved that the chairman draft a letter to he sent to the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, asking the

\ department to give a bonus to millers who adopt the side cutting method for the first three years. The department is to be also asked for a bonus on hemp produced from cultivated flax with the object, of encouraging the planting of flax roots and other experimental work. INSTRUCTOR WANTED. In connection with the same subject, a letter was received from Mr Wall, Martinborough, in which the writer urged that the Government he requested to appoint an instructor whose duties it would be to visit the various mills in tuni with a view tn encourngijtig (he scientific >ide of the industry. The subject brought up the question of the possibilities of technical training for boys with a view lo their entering the fluxmilling industry and it was resolved that (he chairman and Messrs Bell mid Stevens interview tlit* new director of the Technical School with the object of getting ;i class formed for the purpose of educating men for the higher appointments in the llaxmilling industry. BLIGHT DEGREASING. In conversation with Air Seifert a “Standard” reporter inquired as to the position of the industry in regard to yellow leaf disease and was informed that the blight was rapidly dying out. Just what the reason of the decrease was, stated Mr Seifert, was difficult to determine, but presumably the plant had been enabled to resist the disease or a natural enemy had aided nature to this end. It had been found that side-cut-ting had proved beneficial to the plant but, where the old practice of cutting all the blades of the plant had been continued, the same progress in the fight against the disease had been evidenced. Side-cut-ting had, however, its advantages over the old practice, added Mr Seifert, for botanists had found that while the llax plant received its moisture and mineral matters from the roots, the life-giving air was absorbed through the leaves. Thus, if the plant was shorn of all its leaves, its vigour and power of resistance were affected with detrimental effect to the size and quality of the blades. Tt had also the added advantage of bringing to tlie flax farmer a steady revenue annually instead of at intervals of four years as hitherto. This was hut one of the many problems of the flax industry which faced the miller. stated Air Seifert, and the encouragement of the schoolboy to enter into a technical training was highly desirous. At present the big majority of worker-, at the mills were men and the science of the industry wa> lost sight of bv them. "The future of the industry is assured, hut what is required,” lie added, “is the employment of scientific methods in the milling and crowing of the blade. Flax farming mi an extensive .-rale is a nailing' which is capable of huge development which would ensure a steady output and as a direct consequence a better market for in this is the price of the produce maintained.”