NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 211, 8 September 1869, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

O — '■■ - The following is an abstract of the paper read by Mr. T, Nottidge at the meeting of the Philosophical Instiiute, Christchurch : — From an examination of the microscopical structure of the flax leaf and fibre, details of which were given, the author arrived at the following conclusions: — J, That there is no woody matter to be separated from the fibre. 2. That the fibre cannot be indefinitely divided. 3. That the ultimate fibres are much shorter than is commonly supposed, probably less than two inches iv length. He had alao ascertained, by experiment, that the fibre in the uninjured leaf is white even in the butt end. That the ultimate fibres consist of elongated tubular cells. That in each bundle of fibres minute canals are formed by the interspaces between the fibres. That the bundles of fibre are surrounded by the cellular tissue of the leaf, containing the sticky juices and the coloring matter of the plant. That in the ordinary process of manufacture, the cellular tissue is broken up, and the fluid contents of the cells are set free ; he suggests that these juices are by capillary attraction drawn into the minute tubes of the fibre, and into the small interspaces between the fibres, thereby discoloring the fibre — making it to some extent harsh and brittle, and rendering it liable to destructive chemical actioD, where exposed to air and water. . The partial remedy he proposes, is to dilute the sticky juices of the leaf as much as possible with water at the very instant they are set free, and he stated that the color is improved, and the juices are further diluted by subsequently passing the fibre between rollers, or under a beating machine, with a plentiful supply of water, and that the sooner this is done after the first part of the process, the bet-, ter is the color. The author stated that his main object in writing the . paper, was to giye his views publicity, in order that a question of so much importance to flax manufacturers, might be fully discussed and tested by further experiments; ;- ■mmmMmm^Mmaamtt^mmfaaaa^aamnaaammMmmammmmmmamtmmmmamm

"pAiPEU Supply. — The Argus says : A private letter from Madras enquires— ls anything being'done in Melbourne towards the supply locally of printing paper? If so, and the Australian papers give the enterprise their practical support, it would not be difficult to secure orders from this side, as well as any amount of rags, now utilised in torches that greatly stink. You ought eventually to be independent of England as regards all material ; but you ought some day to cut in and suppiy India and China also.