Correspondnce.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 350, 26 February 1861, Page 2

Correspondnce.

PRO BONOPUBLIGO,

: To the Editor of the Colonist. Siß^-The sensible letter, which you copied from the Melbourne Argus, signed " li. Christian," is encouraging in some respects about the "Phormium Tenay"—but 1 think, the writer looks upon those who have given their attention to it, as men of: no skill and scarcely to be possessed of common sense or common prudence. . ' : I admit that a great amount of capital has been expended in; experimenting' upon New Zealand Flax, arid I believe a great amount <jf skill and prudence and energy vas well, whatever fl. Christian' may say. Notf, sir," you know 'that some of the greatest discoveries of the last cepfury have appeared to be the result of chance or accident; and what study and experiment,have failed to obtain, • have been supplied in some instances without being thought of. * .. ■ For instance—a circumstance occurred not long ago, which throws a new light upon the Phormium Tenax—although the fact has been known for nearly twenty years, yet it has never been appreciated till now. • •, . ■'■.-,, ' j The fact is that the Now Zealand flax can be 1 dressed and prepared for many useful purposes without hand-labor, and without machinery, without any mechanical skill; without: any attention of man, woman, or child. It can be prepared i without even the expense of cutting till it is fit for immediate use. 1 have now. before me some beautiful specimens of flax which has been dressed by horses, part of which I intend to send to your office, for the amusement or instruction of the curious; and if any one doubts the truth of niy statements, if they will take the trouble to come up to my ground, I will point through the fence into my neighbor's paddock, where there is plenty to be seen—beautiful samples—far exceeding anything produced by our flax mills, or flax machines: .. Now for the great secret, which anybody may try if they don't believe me. ■ : • ■ First of all get a piece of ground where there is plenty of flax and plenty of water: securely fence it in with a good substantial fence; be careful that there is wo grass in it—a little bullrush or manuka wou'thurt. If the paddock does not exceed five acres, put into it four horses and a cow, and let them stay the winter through without corn or hay, and you will find (hem very industrious both day and night dressing flax —some fhey may swallow, but the greater part you may have for carrying away. Should the discovery benefit auy it will greatly oblige, Yours, <fee, PHORMIUM TENAX,

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