LINES FLAX

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23086, 31 July 1940, Page 7

LINES FLAX

DOMINION’S NEW INDUSTRY Although the British' Government requested the Dominion to grow 15,000 acres of linen flax to assist to replace the supplies previously obtained from Europe, it is obvious that this acreage is capable of extension. Australia has been asked for a similar acreage, the relatively small area desired from the Commonwealth possibly being due to the limited areas of suitable land. As late as June, however—“even at this late hour,” as described by the English papers’ reports- ‘.he six counties of Northern Ireland are being urged to grow more flax. Seed for 16,000 acres was available, and farmers were asked to make a further effort to sow more than they had made arrangements to produce. This had come about because supplies from Belgium and Holland had been cut off. It is interesting to note the comment on the introduction of green scutching in Northern Ireland, “which will certainly give flax growing there a new lease of life, as it cut out the laborious method of retting.” Under the system, moreover, the seed could be saved and used for seed for the 1941 crop. “When it is remembered that up till now all this seed was lost in the process of water retting, it is easy to see the economies that can be made,’ a report adds. It is the new process described above that is to be used in the harvesting of the New Zealand crop. The absence of such methods in the past put linen flax growing in New Zealand outside the pale by farmers who had experience of the crop in Northern Ireland. An interesting point in the article, in view of New Zealand’s participation, is that through the efforts put forth by the linen industry and the Flax Development Association many farmers are now sowing 901b an acre instead of 601b as formerly. Flax sown at the higher rate produces a greater yield of fibre, and. what is probably more important, the quality is much better. THE PIG MARKET BREEDING SOAVS WANTED The animal which historically has been a factor in paying the "little bit of rent” is coming into its own again. There was a pronounced advance at the weekly market at Addington last week for both porkers and baconers, and the former averaged up to a good 9d per lb where finish was forthcoming. Baconers were making up to Bid per lb, with the usual cases of up to a halfpenny more, but against this, of course, there were instances of weil under Bd. The fat pig market has been firm for so long that it would appear that these prices will not recede to much extent for some time to come. The appeal to grow more bacon would seem to be bearing good results, judging by the keen market for stores. Weaners were selling some time ago at anything between 8s and 18s. There were only three pens forward on Wednesday, bigger than those of the prices quoted, but they sold at from 23s to 275. Quite medium stores made from 40s to 425, and heavier sorts to 50s. These prices are well ahead of those generally ruling at this time of year, and plainly indicate that many farmers and small property owners are responding to the call for more bacon. Few sows are coming into the market, and these are also wanted by an increasing circle of buyers. The Meat Producers’ Board, in its annual report, stated that an undert: king had been given to the British Government that all carcases graded Down cross would be of Down type. This should be kept in mind by farmers when considering the grading returns they received from the works, as only lambs which showed characteristics of the Down could be included in the Down cross grade. It would thus be appreciated that the supervision of the grading of lamb was of added importance, especially when it was realised that before the war at some of the works the Down quality lambs were not separated from others of prime quality. It, therefore, became necessary for the board to organise supervision of grading at the commencement of this season to ensure that all works in the North Island should grade the Down cross lambs separately (on a uniform standard) from the ordinary crossbred lambs, in conformity with the terms of the British Government purchase.