ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 556, 13 August 1851, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Nnw Zealandui. Sir, — From the numerous enquiries which have been addressed to me since the publication of my method of prepniingour Colonial Flax, on points ot practical mipoitance relative theieto, I am happy to think that the subject is commanding that attention which it so well deserves. If you will kindly allow me the accomodation of your columns, 1 will endeavour, in a few letters, to give "the mfoiination lequiied, and also reier to some matters, which may be advantageous to such paities as intend to engage in the business either of Flax growing or of Flax di ess-ing. That a proper f-jstem of cultivation applied to the New Zealand Flax will greatly improve the fibie of the plant is generally believed, indeed it has been satisfaclonlv proved by the beautiful specimens occasionally brought from native plantations ; but that it would pay any of our Euiopcaii settles to lay down a portion of their lands with this ailicli', is a matter that but few aie piepaied to decide upon, from the want hitherto ot the necessary lnfoimatiou fiorn which to judge. 1 mi happy to have it in my power lo supply that iniurimtion, h iving lintl put into my posM^siou, w j /eiul viirs '/nice, the manuscript of <» pei.-ou lnuntd >\ llluuu Williams, nbo

was in this countiy upwards of 30 years ago, and appears to have devoted much attention (o the cultivation of New Zealand Flax, w ith the view of establishing a business, under the pationage of Governor Macquarne of Austiaba. He makes the following statements :—: — •' From one tuft or stool of flax, I cuteighty-four leaves, which, « hen cleansed, produced ten pounds of nett flax, nine feet in length. The space of ground which the plant occupied did not exceed a .square yard. The plant is veiy haidy, and grows in large s>f«ols. I have divided thirty distinct roots from one stool, and one of these sections or roots, having lain exposed to the sun and wind for seveial days, was afterwaids planted, and, eighteen months afterwards, that plant produced nine, which I transplanted, and in eight months those nine plants produced eight pounds of flax, and the year following treble that quantity. I have endeavoured to distinguish the proper season for cutting the flax, but find little difference in that respect, and 1 am of opinion it may be gatheied every month in the year, and the flax be of equal quality. " Upon a moderate calculation, every square yard of land will pioduce, in a few years, six pounds of flax annually. The plants, if put into the ground at three feet from each other, will soon become united in one mass, and thrive equally well, requiring no further attention." from these statements it appears that the estimated return from one acre of land planted with flax, is, when the plants arrive at maturity, no less than Jourteen tons of fibre annually. lam disposed to think, however, that this estimate is much too high, and that one-half ; that quantity will be found nearer the truth ; andmore- ; ov er, instead of planting the flax &o closely, as described, two yards apart will be found more advanta- [ geous to allow freedom in carrying it off the field, or perhaps w hat may be still better, as has been suggested by Mr. Newman, of Kemuera, let the plants be put three feet apart in rows, and these rows five yards from each other, so as to allow sheep to depasture in the intermediate spaces, which may be sown with grass. It is stated by Mr. Williams that he obtained the fibre ! of flax nine feet m length: this is not at all desirable, f as it will invariably be found that the longer the fibre I becomes, it grows coaiser, and that it is be&t for manufacturing purposes when the leaf is from 2\ to 3 feet in length. Tno proper season for planting is winter ; the soil should be of a free and open character, and well cleared fiom weeds. The natives will do the work of planting best, and can also guide parties as to the proper sorts of flax to grow. To supply the machinery of a one horse power, working regularly, the produce of about eight or nine atires will be requited; and the cutting may be so arranged, that when the last portion of the field is cropped, the first portion will be again ready for the knife. When the flax is being cut, care should be taken not to injure the young shoot in the centre, aa that would much relaid the future progress of the plant, and the leaves should be cut about one inch below the point where they open or unfold. If the plantation be near togthe dressing mill, the daily supply may be cut as required, but if it be situated at some distance, a week or two's supply may be cut at once, and the leaves preserved fresh by simply inserting the cut ends an inch or two in a shallow basin or pond of water made for the purpose near the mill. It is surprising how long the leaves may be kept fiesh in this way. 1 have had &ome which were preserved upwards of two months, and were then as good as if just cut. From what has been stated, it will be evident that an acre of ground planted with flax, will ultimately yield a greater return than that from any other crop ; for after the first outlay in piepanng the ground and planting, no further expense will be required ; whilst the annual crop of flax, when dressed, would realize, at its present price of £1B per ton, no less a sum than j£l26. In my next letter 1 shall state what the probable expence of preparing the flax lor market will be, which of course must be deducted from that amount to shew the nett proceeds. — I am, &c. M. Whytlaw. Waikato, July 31st, 1851.