THE BINDING TWINE PROBLEM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3015, 10 November 1891, Page 2

THE BINDING TWINE PROBLEM.

Ol'li iipricnltnr.il rtiaiW* aro doubtless awaro than persistent etforfs nre being made in America to solve what is known as tho " binding twine problem." Coulil a suitable substitute for the twino bn discovered, either in the way of tying with tho grain straw or otherwise, it would bo a considerable relief to agriculturists lti the United States. Theso pay very Hinartly for the twine, owing to the ring, who control its manufacture and supply, (,J'iito recently a trial was made at Zoliet, near Xew Yoik, to surmount tho diliienlty. This was the manufacture of common slough grass and straw into a sort of rope. The attempt mentioned was tho use of a reaper with ropes made from both these materials. All the prominent reaper manufacturers of the Xorth-wost were present to sco how the new material would operate. While it did not work entirely to their satisfaction, tho belief was expressed that the devices could be so improved as to use both kinds of twine or rope .satisfactorily. Tho most serious objections camo from the farmers who witness! the trial. They claimed that so far neither rope was cheap or handy as the binding twino. The grass twine is simply slough grass twisted and wrapped with light cotton twine, and is about tho size of a clothes lino. They claim that the cost of the slough grass, and the hemp binding twine is about tho same, and the latter much llio better to use. The. straw rope is made by the farmer with a machine costing about lO.lols, and this, with tho labour, will bring up tho cost of the straw nearly or quite to that of tlia hemp. A practical substitution for the hemp, in the opinion of the fanner visitors, is yet to be found.