TREATMENT OF FLAX.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3895, 15 January 1929, Page 2

TREATMENT OF FLAX.

“WASH” RESEARCH. For some time now two representatives 'of Oonah; Ltd., Christchurch (Airs. Hedberg and All*. Evans) have been engaged in research Work in the Afanawatu district in regard to perfecting a “wash” which will eliminate! “paddocking” in reference to the hemp industry. Airs. Hedberg and Air. Evans have visited the majority of the mills in the district and towards the end of last year carried out a series of tests at Whitaunui mill at Aloutoa. At Saturday’s meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association, held in Foxton, Alessrs Oonah Ltd., wrote thanking the President for the assistance accorded the experimenters during their visit to the Afanawatu, and intimated that they had every reason to believe that under proper conditions their washes will improve the fibre and eliminate padd'oeking and that they were now in the process of considering ways and means to apply the washes on a commercial basis.

Thd President (Air. C. H. Speirs) said that a few days ago a representative of Alessrs Oonah Ltd., visited hhn at Shannon with a request that he be allowed to carry out. further experimental Work at his mill at Shannon. As he had been unalble to accede to the request lie had suggested that, he get in touch with some of the other millers.

Mr. A. iSeifert reported that the experimenters were now located at Miranui where they intended stripping several tons of green blade and treating it with their new process to eliminate paddocking. Mil’. Seifert also stated that a Palmerston 'North man had a chemical process for treating the green blade and his process was to boil the flax in a chemical solution for about twenty minutes, at the conclusion of which the vegetation could be rolled or scraped off. Mr, J. S. Moir said that the experimenters had received assistance from the Department of Agriculture during their sojourn at iWhitaunui. The Department appeared .to be very confident over the new process. Mr. Seifert stated that the Department of Agriculture was evincing a good deal of interest in the flax industry and appeared to be doing what it could for it. The hope was expressed that some worth While process would he discovered at an early date.