FLAX CULTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3946, 23 May 1929, Page 2

FLAX CULTURE.

CAMPAIGN IN TASMANIA. An active campaign is in progress in Tasmania to popularise flax culture and it is considered that the results will be notable in view of the fact that a company has been formed to undertake treatment. At a recent meeting of the Moriarty Agricultural Bureau, which serves the districts east at Devonport and Lati-obe, in North-west Tasmania, an explanation was given of the advantages which it was expected would accrue. With a yield of two tons per acre it should pay much better than bay, which is going out of favour generally by reason O'f the unprofitable prices for chaff. Flax, it was explained, is impervious of floods, quite unlike the potato or hay. With the wet summers so often experienced on the north-west coast there need be no apprehension. The farmer’s job null be to cut and bind the flax and cart it to the Latrobe railway station, on route for the Launceston factory. It was stated that much support has been seiured_for the Tasmanian company which has been formed and there will be a considerable tonnage available for treatment. Some good results have been achieved with flax and a crop in the Merseylea district grown by Mr. Field has, it is claimed, yielded .in excess of two tons per acre, which is more than generally allowed for. Farmers are assured that there are no special difficulties associated with culture and given good woiking and a soil in good heart it is considered that the richly-productive soils of the north-west coast will return a handsome profit, while the advantage of having an alternative crop in the nature of a rotation is obvious. Flax growing has met with much favour in some of the northern districts at Longford and elsewhere, while a fair acreage is expected to be put in at (Delaraine. It may be said, judging by the advices from the districts east of Latrobe and Devonport, that the px-oduction from the l-ich lands there will be excess of any other locality in Tasmania. One farmer has contracted to sow nine acres with linseed and probably a score or more of farms will be producing flax for next season. It is recognised that something must be found to take the place of hay and flax has advantages which appeal.