THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2764, 29 July 1924, Page 4

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

METHODS OF CUTTING. • - DOES SIDE-LEAF PAY?

Considerable interest has boon taken in the new method of cutting flax which has been undergoing an exhaustive trial by a few Manawatu millers during the last eighteen months. Under the old method, the whole of the leaf was cut every four years, just leaving the crown of the flax and the roots. The new method now known as “side-leaf” means cutting the leaves on both sides of the “fan,” and leaving the “suckers” or youngest leaf and the two protecting leaves. The advantage of this method is that the crop can be cut annually. Therefore the plant gives the greatest average yield per annum, while the shock to the plant is minimised, which also accounts for the greater yield. In order to find out whether the new method had come np to expectations, a Manawatu Times reporter interviewed Mr Alfred Seifert., president of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association, on the matter, being particularly anxious to discover whether the increased production under the new method was counter balanced bv the added cost.

In reply to a question as to whether the “side-leaf” method had any effect on the disease-resisting power of the plonl, Mr Seifert stated that this had hardly entered into his calculations because all flax was becoming healthy again whether cut side-leaf or by the old way. “I have absolute proof,” lie continued, “(bat side-leaf cutting did not prevent the disease. At my home T planted a row of flax about fourteen yards long in 1915. The flax was always cut side-leaf, but it took the disease in a bad form and three-quarters of the row died out completely. “Therefore, the whole advantage to the growers is in the greater yield. Up to the present we cannot definitely state what that is, because cutting side-leaf has only been carried on for eighteen months —not: long enough to form a definite opinion about the matter. But it will probably give a 90 per cent, greater yield of leaf than under the old way.” “Assuming that the yield is 90 per cent greater under the side-leaf method,” the reporter asked “to what extent does the increased cost t-oiui-tei balance the advantage In reply, Mr Seifert quoted the following comparative figures which were the result of careful analysis and fairly set out the position from (he growers’ stondpoint: — RETURN PER ACRE. Old Side • method Ibaf Yield per annum 7 tons 13 tons Cost of cutting good leaf (per ton) 7/0 15/Delivery to mill 0/- ~/- Total cost per ton 13/0 22/Price of leaf per ton 30s 30,s Net return per toil 10/0 • 8/Net return per acre £5 15/0 £5 4/*‘ll will therefore be seen that there is a balance of 11/0 per acie in favour of (lie old met bod of cutting when the above rates are paid. Another point that would count with many growers is that in addition to a saving of 11/0 they could sell their leaf at a lower price without actual loss, while having less trouble handling a small quantity. “Does this mean, then, that tiny llaxmillers will return In the old method?”' “That 1 cannot say definitely yet,” replied Mr Seifert. “It is purely a question of yield versus cost. U further experience confirms *thc aInivo details, growers will he -o.onpelled to abandon side-leaf cutting.