FLAX RESEARCH WORK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3985, 17 August 1929, Page 3

FLAX RESEARCH WORK.

r + • : (COMMITTEE REPORT ON > YEAR'S ACTIVITIES. 1 The Flax Research Committee reported as follows to the annual meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association, held on 'Thursday afternoon : “This Committee was formed a year ago fog the purpose of carrying out scientific research on behalf of the flax industry, the organisation of the Committee being made up by the following appointments: —Professor Easterfield, Dr. Me Laurin, and Mr 11. D. Vickerman, appointed by the Scientific and Industrial Research Council. (This is the parent body of the Committee); Mr A. H. Cockayne, appointed to represent the Department of Agriculture; Professor Peiren, appointed to represent Massey College (Avhere the botanical Avork is being carried out); Mr E. T. Frost, appointed by Northern Flaxmillers’ Association as their representative, Messrs H. Gjrieg, Alfred Seifert and Herbert A. Seifert, to represent the Association. The chairmanship of the (Committee Avas unanimously voted to Mr Alfred Seifert, and Mr A. H. Cockayne Avas appointed vice-chairman. These tAvo gentlement ha\ r e had chiefly to do Avith the supervision of the 'Flax Committee’s programme. As provided in the Institution, Dr. Marsden, avlio is secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, is also Secretary of all industrial committees such as ours. This coordinates all their activities. “Finance is evefr a matter of grave importance. The only reliable source of revenue for our committee has been the le\ r y upon hemp of 2d per bale graded. We had anticipated a 16,000 ton output but unfortunately the gradings have been under 12,000 tons. Money received from this source and all other (receipts are entitled to a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government through the Department. The grading levy is not a heavy tax on the industry. The average one strippermill turns out about 240 tons of hemp per annum, worth at last year’s price about £6,500, including '•iw. The Research levy amounts to about £lO or much less than one quarter per cent of one per cent on (lie output. Hemp gradings this yearwill probably not exceed 10,000 tons of hemp and 'the levy on this will bring in only about £450. This, with the Department’s subsidy will give the Committee only £9OO to carry on. This is really not enough and it aaull be A'ery difficult to carry out proposals that are necessary. “The work of the Committee comprises three main divisions. They are (1) Botanical. Concerning the flax-plant, its varieties, its groAvth and response to various treatments. (2) Chemical and engineering. Concerning experimental Avork upon mehods of production and utilisation and here used to denote Avork carried out Avitlrin the Dominion. (3) Overseas enquiry. The Research Department is in touch Avith various institutions chiefly in Britain, but also in other countries of the Avorld. We are making constant enquiries from these people concerning chiefly questions of other uses for Phormium products but also regarding methods of production and possibly we may even gain ideas that may be advantageous in the groAving of flax. Botanical Avork has been in the capable hands of Dr. Yeates, of Massey (College, who is a most enthusiastic Avogker upon flax problems. The Committee has an arrangement with Massey College Avhereby they pay the College for Dr. Yeates’ time de\ T oted to flax but the College makes no charge for land o|r buildings used. The expenses incurred are charged to the Flax Research Committee and then the College pays one quarter of them and the Committee threequarters. “Another very important work carried out by the Committee was the survey of the flax planted areas the Dominion. It Avas carried out by a special committee consisting of Messrs A. H. Cockayne and Alfred Seifert. “Chemical and engineering Avork carried out in the Dominion has to date consisted chiefly of testing various systems of artificial bleaching. None have yet proved quite successful. It Avould iioav appear that a much better washing Avould be of considerable advantage to enable cheap and artificial bleaching. “OAving to lack of funds it is almost impossible for the Committee to carry out any working Avith experimental machinery; such Avork is, as a rule, very costly. Much good might result in this Avay if we could get the GoA r ernment to reinstate the pre-Avar bonus for improvement to flaxmilling processes, say a sum of about £20,000. This would he a very real encouragement to those with the inventive faculty. “Enquiry and co-operation Avith overseas institutions has opened up some very interesting connections. Paper making tests have been or are being carried out in Great Britain, Germany and U.S.A. Tests have been made in Great Britain by several firms to see the possibilities of our fibre for textile purposes also for several other purposes. Wje have also been in ■touch Avith some of the great engineering firms avlio are makers of fibrous machines. It may yet be possible to adapt one of the latest types of 'Sisal Docorticators to replace our present stripped for undoubtedly our stripping process is a very crude one and is the cause of muck complaint. The machine greatly damages the strength, causes the toAvyness Avhich is so undesirable and leaves runners and unstripped edges. Other enquiries have been made as to improvements

COMMITTEE REPORT ON YEAR’S ACTIVITIES.

most needed to popularise our sj“mp. At present the Admiralty are carrying out tests upon ropes made of high and low fair. In conclusion it is a noticeable fact that most of the x’eally successful modern industries are made so by thei(r research work. Consider such industries as Java sugar and Irish linen and German Aniline 'dyes. All three are immiensely prosperous industries and all have devoted great attention to research work. “We have now established a Research Institution. Whether it will be of any real value depends upon the direction given to the research work by the Phormium Research Committee and also upon the funds available. The committee actually came into being about September ’4th, 1928, and |has as yet merely laid the foundation for future working. The industry is in great need of improved methods. 'This is of far snore importance than lowering costs. “New Zealand hemp to-day is worth in London £7 and £8 per ton less than Sisal because of its lack of quality. We lare getting low prices for two reasons. First for lack of quality and secondly insufficient quantity. If we improve our quality the prices will look after themselves. “The thanks of all concerned is due to Mr. A. H. Cockayne and the chairman in their survey of the flax plantations of New Zealand, of the work lof Dr. Yeates and his assistant Mr. Meadows, on their work on the flax plant, of Dr. Marsden’s guidance as secretary, and of people and institutions with whom we have come into contact for their co-operation and assistance and particularly to the number of great over-seas concerns who have tested phormium products free of charge and with little prospect of even indirect gain.” PHORMITUM INVESTIGATIONS. SUMMARY OF WIORK CARRIED OUT. Dr. J. S. Yeates submitted the following summary of work done at Massey College during the year: — “The fans of the fifty strains planted in the previous year (May, 1928) have grown satisfactorily. Seedlings from! twenty-one of these strains are now one year old and have grown very well. The hybrid seedlings derived from crosses made at Miranui in January, 1928, have'-so far grown better than any of the other seedlings in the nursery. All the above seedlings ■ will be permanently planted out next autumn on the main flax area. “During the past summer a preliminary survey was made of flax areas over a wide area of both islands. Fans and seeds were collected wherever possible from the better strains seen. Seventy of these strains were tested by stripping leaves. The main districts from which strains were collected, and the numbers of strains aire as follows: — Martinborough (38), Wellington (7), Taranaki (15), Blenheim (18), King Country (10), Waikato (19), North Auckland (6), West Coast, South Island (14). “Altogether 223 strains have been recorded, and fans of more than 200 of these are now planted on the College farm. It must be understood that, these are not considered to be all quite distinct varieties. It is better to collect a good variety twice than to miss it. “Seed from over 100 of the above strains has been sown in boxes and has germinated well in most cases. There will be enough seedling plants of each strain to show whether seedlings of this strain are of commercial value. “In about four years from sowing, the seedling plants should be ready fosr cutting and milling tests. In the meantime, the fans of the same varieties will have grown to the seed-producing stage. Seed will therefore be available for commercial planting, from the most desirable varieties.

“In accordance with programme, one acre has been planted in fans of' a single good variety. The college has obtained for this purpose, fans of perhaps the best variety at present in the collection. This acre will provide a uniform area for tU'ials of yield under various treatments. In addition, it will be a source from which large quantities of seed should be available if the seedling plants ptrove to be of value. 'Several thousand seedling plants of this variety should be available for trial by growers in the autumn of 1931.

“In February of this year Mr. L. Meadows was appointed to the college for the purpose of assisting in the work, especially in yellow-leaf problems. Mjr. Meadows has spent some weeks actively working in a diseased area. A number of resistant strains of flax have been planted on a separate area, at the college. “The work has at all times been rendered velry pleasant by the ready manner in which practical millers and growers have co-opera-ted. Officers of the Department of Agriculture have also given much help.”