DAMAGE TO FLAX AREAS.

Shannon News, 18 August 1922, Page 3

DAMAGE TO FLAX AREAS.

the proper system of cutting

I A series of experiments are under ' observation at the Seifert Flaxdressing ! Company's mill at Makerua by Mr

G. Smerle, bearing on the proper cutting of the plants for the utilisation of the green leaf. Mr Smerle holds that most of the cutting is too low on the stalks, thus causing much in-

jury to the plants and , interfering with the throwing out of the young blades. To test this theory, he tried the experiment some months back on four flax bushes cut in as. many dif-

ferent ways. The' first was cut very short, about, v two inches above ground. The new growth now visible was shown a .Chron&le reporter yesterday and found to be very wfeak, the leaves partly dead, and the whole growth bearing evidence of a severe set-back. The second bunch had been cut to

about lour inches above ground. The new flax had a much healthier appearance than No. 1, and the growth more vigorous and , even. Number three was cut from iaix to eight iches above ground, and this was an improvement on the other two. In the case of the

lourtli bunch, in ..which the young leaves in the .centre of the bush were left, this proved the best of the four, the growth ail round being strong and free, with a greater length than any of the others. This shows conclusively ihat there is something in the cutting of the leaf. The cutting, it was emphasised, should not be below

the “fan” (the junction of the leaves in each bunch), so that protection would be afforded the young shoots which would he thrown out later on.

Another point, and one ; of equal importance, was the cutting season. At present, operations commence in the

winter, and go on,till autumn. Mr Smerle maintains that cutting not start tik August, by which time tht; plants wohid be invigorated suffi- ( eiently by the spring growth to withstand better the set-back by the opera-

tions of the cutters. The work should end in March, thus giving the plants a rest, of about five months. By the

exercise of a bttter system of cutting,

it is contended that the crops would be fit lor “harvesting” every two years instead of four as at present, a

very imporraiit factor, and one worthy of consideration by the;-mil-ters. ■ . y l --;: - ,:

Another source of, damage fs that caused by Sheep and cattle being run in the.flax areas.' Owners maintain that the Stock, graze- the grassland thus minimise the danger of fire in summer, as the grass would die off and provide a ready fuel il it were accidentally fired., It was pointed out, however, that immense damage was done to the flax bushes by the chewing of the green leaf, and particularly the young leaves, besides the smashing of the roots which lie .near the surface of the soil.

FLAX DISEASE.

PROTECTIVE MEASURES REQUIRED. The flaxmillers of the Manawatu are prepared to pay an increase of 4d pei ton on grading charges if the Government will allocate this money to a continuance of steps to overcome the yellow leaf disease, which, according to Mr Nash, has caused a loss to the owners of fully 40,000 tons of flax. Mi Nash urged the Minister for Agriculiu'c to 'like nn. the matter *-sp’lousiy and give a further subsidy of £SOO towards research inoney to be eventually provided by increasing grading lees irom 1/8 to 2/ per bale. Mr Nosworthy stated that the GoytrnUieiit had already given £1(>0, but there was not Mte slightest hope of a further £SOO. However, as an alternative proposal had been made he would consult the Finance Minister,, because it was a matter for consideration. The increase in grading fees made up to the present had only met the cost o< grading.