NEW ZEALAND FLAX.
Notwithstanding that no claimant, as far as we are aware, has hitherto demanded the premium advertised to the successful discoverer of the means of converting the native staple into a merchantable commodity; notwithstanding the want of success that has, as yet, been the misfortune of all experimenters; we are glad to find that more than one of these, though discouraged, are very far from "being defeated.
Last week we were shown a variety of samples of flax prepared by Baron de Thierry from, the Phormium Tenaz^ Ti, and a newly discovered article from thl forest, of which there arq not only abundant natural supplies, but which can be propagated to any amount. By the Baron's new process the raw material is prepared without the application of machinery or chemicals ; it is entirely freed from the gum, and has a soft and flexible appearance, unlika the harsh, stringy aspect characteristic of moat of the previous samples. Some of the samples we last saw were as smooth, as soft, and quite as glossy as. silk; some bore a general reseinb* lance to Riga flax; and soma were puts up in locks, twisted in the same way as curly horsa hair, and so crisp and elastic in quality as seemingly to offer an economical substitute for that valuable commodity. This new discovery, which we heartily hope may prove the veritable open sesame to an article of export whose value and extent it would, be almost impossible to overestimate, is of course kept secret. Thus much, however, Baron de Thierry acquainted us with—that from the gathering of the article to its preparation, not more than from four to five .days are required ; that it would pay excellent wages to the workers; and that men, women, and children can all be advantageously employed in the process. We need only further to observe that the Baron is in communication with eminent Flax Brokers in the city of London, to whom he has made consignments, and who have held out every encouragement to him to persevere and prosper.— New Zealander,
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18600622.2.21
Bibliographic details
Colonist, Volume III, Issue 279, 22 June 1860, Page 3
Word Count
346NEW ZEALAND FLAX. Colonist, Volume III, Issue 279, 22 June 1860, Page 3
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in