HEMP INDUSTRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3632, 30 April 1927, Page 3

HEMP INDUSTRY

FIXING OF STANDARD GRADE

HANKS.

At a conference of ffaxmillers, manufacturers and merchants held in Wellington some time ago a resolution was carried requesting the Department of Agriculture to set up a comprehensive quantity ot standnrd grade banks of hemp princi pally for future reference. Under the direction of the department 400 sample banks of hemp were collected from flaxmills in the Manawatu district. Each hank was graded separately by Mr. W. Petrie, chief hemp grader, the grading points and remarks on the qualiti of the hemp being noted on tags attached to the banks. W ben the samples had been laid out in their proper sequence in the upper storey of the Wellington Harbour Board’s flax kore, they were examined by a committee representing the millers, manufacturers, merchants, and the Agricultural Department, consisting of Messrs A. Seifert (Palmerston North), A. Macdonald (Waikuku, Canterbury), S. Maddven (Christchurch), and L. Goldfinch (Levin and Company, W el-lino-ton), in company with Mr. A. H. Cockravnc (Director of the Fields Division, Department of Agriculture), and Mr. W. Petrie (chief hemp grader). A careful inspection was made ot all the sample hanks representing every grade, and the system of allotting points was discussed in detail. The committee finally expressed’ themselves as being quite satisfied that the standard set in the respective grades should be the standard for future reference. Ihc pointing and grading of the samples entailed a great deal of arduous work, but will be of great value and assistance to the Department of Agriculture and to millers. All the hemp graders and a number of millers were present at the examination of the hanks.