THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1278, 6 November 1911, Page 8

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

IMPROVEMENT IX THIS SEASON'S PRODCCT. Thp new season's hemp is now reaching the k'nuliim- store?, and, acconlijis to .Mr. W. H. Ferris, the finality of the bulk of the fibre is ot an improved, standard. The improvement, says Mr. Ferris in an articio in the Department of Agriculture's monthly journal, is noticeable more particularly in the colour, owiirj to tho lower percentage of diseased leaf than was present lost season, while more millers are securing the desired ell'ect in stripping, the sorting oi' tho green leaf and jjieatcr enre in the stnp)un\' process being the responsible.factors. The majority or millers, particularly those in the'Maiiawatu, are employing more exact methods. They arc not only classifying the leaf and milling two grades, but are using necessary discrimination in the scutching process, sorting the fibre for the different grades nt the scutchiiubar. Tins insures the desired,uniformity in the grades, and enables them to work to a yiven standard with greater eonlidenec. The importance of this is emphasised where millers have only available an interior leaf. I'nder the above, principle, it is possible to secure a high and payable grade with poor-quality leaf, which otherwise would be milled into qualities which could only be classed into grades giving a poor and probably unprintable return. The bettor work being done, by millers, by reason of improved appliances, more careful stripping, etc., and classification of varying qualities, means—if the fibre already to hand is any criterion—that the percentace of "line" and "gcod-fair" this season will show a considerable increase. A mistake, and a bad one, being made by fomo millers is to forward improperly stripped hemp—with a mass of var.rotabie matter adhering _ta it—and expecting in 'obtain a "good-fair" grade. This class of fibre is useless to the manufacturer, except for the making of the lowesf-giudo cordage for binder-twine it is useless'. Such millers are advised to visit the grading-stores and study for themselves the hemp of other millers which readies the standard they are aiming at. Raising the Standard. An iumrossioii is abroad that the grading standards have been raised in the Wellington district, and millers are .naturally anxious to know where they stand in this matter. The standard tins not been raised. What has happened is that when tho position of Chief Grader was created an endeavour was made to bring about greater uniformity in the work of gradiiiT throughout the Dominion. The. work at the port of Wellington was taken as the standard, and it was. therefore, necessary to bring tho grading at other ports into line with it. Tn several the graders were c!a>sifying on a rather less exacting basis, but are now working to the Wellington standard. This n»ce.--. sary uniformity was not brought about hurriedly or without due preparation nn the part of the officials in ch.-.rg? of the work. A grading conference wa* held in Wellington, when the dilfcrent graders throughout the Dominion were ?iven an opportunity to thoroughly grasp the conception of* wlnt constituted the various grades, to realise the ideal to be aimed at, to see the best quality the Dominion is producing, and. in fact, getting down to a common basis of action instead of following individual opinions. In tin's process the' work at some eradin<r port* has had necessarily to be amended. I', therefore, it ha* happened t'-at the st-md-a.rd of anv particular pert is a lilt'e higher than it u c ed tn he it means that the work at 'that pert is noiv more in conformity wilh that at other gndin" centres. It has been merely standardised. Th» Trade Requirement. As with other lines of produce, it i> imperative, if the best returns are to be secured, that hemp should be supplied regularly to the oversea market*; and hemp probably suffers mo'C than anv other produce of New Zealand bv failure of shippers to realise this fact. A spasmodic supply is suicidal with hemp. With other eo«>mn(liti?s a, manufacturer can buy rival products in the interval; but "with h«mn a buyer on--" lost is probably lo=t altogether, as. if machinery has to he altered, or perhaps disenrdod, in order to suit anof!i»" fibre, i he is hardly' likely to esriin risk t'v> cost and delay tin" Tt should | be the, nbieet of pollers not to discnuriT- j but to e.ncourare Ilome. manufacturers to ji«o nborpium-Sibre. and tke best way tn do this, ?i<-en t'.e derived ouelity of tin. proper uniformity. ' J to simply it as regularly even" >"V." H.i in H:e year though this may mean holding back a uortinn of the summer O'ttivf to maintain the '">;- form supply throughout the vear. Tbvs wr.uM ho preferable, to milling in th--> winter, as in the rainv sea--ou it is nef possiWe to meii'tain the quality which f.hould he aimed at. Pcftncc's. Th" outlook or ■phormium-fihrp on the world's markets is not. onooure.".'nrr at IV j pi-s-ent moment; Lnt foi'tnuat.elv millo" are in a much bettor po-ition at the v-p----sent day to meet adverse market's thrri 'hey ".-ere a few seasons hick, and every year Die cest of prorl"ct>on is bo''"; decreased while the quality of the fibre is being improved. THE HAW ERA SHOW. TYPICAL DISPLAY IK CATTLE. Tho Egmont A. and P. Show, which takes place this week at, Hawcra, is uiwavs noted for its cattle exhibits, and tiii's year's fixture will he no exception. With* a district so renowned for dairying, it is onlv natural to expect to see wellbred cattle. laranaki breeders are daily on the look-out lor tho very best in dairy stock, and some big prices have been given for pedigree animals. Though the Jersey is vet the predominant breed, tkcAvrsiihe and Dolsicin cattle are gatting a "strong footing, and the show of Jerseys and Avrahires'will be. an exceptionally fine one. A solid silver challenge cup, donated by the Now Zealand Shipping (,'mnpniiv, Ltd., will be keenly competed for. WANGANUI SHOW. THE .JUDGES API'OIXTED. The following have keen appointed judges for tlie'forthcomiiig show of the Wanganui A. and I'. Association:--Horses— Thoroughbreds and light horses, W. Cooper (Mastorlon), A. 11. Storey (To Aivaniiitu): draughts and harnes. horses, W. Walson (Masterton), tt. Todd (Mt. Cattle.—Shortnoi'n and Polled Angus. ,T. Drumiiioiul (Kilhirnie); Herefords, J. W. I Stuckov (Mangnweka); Ayrshire?, .T. Parleue (Ca-hmere!: ffolsteins. 11. Coleman Phillip* (Carterton); Jersey and dairy cows, F. I). Cornwall (Hell Mock): fat | stock, S. Cuiuiv < Fealherstan). Sheen-Lincoln, A 1). M'Master (Masterton); Downs, T. C. Withell tßroolcside) • Uicestcr-. W. Giinblett (Tomonna) ; Cnrriedaie and inlands, T. (.'. Withell (lirooksido): Konmeys, W. J . liuu'k (Mustrrlon); fat sheep, S. Cundy (lea-pW.-.J. 0. Batcholor (Puln;or.s'oii North). , , , Dogs.—Pointers, setters, and pugs, Paul Hunter iTr.r.ingnliau); spaniels, .terriers, collies, and hounds, ,1. Lister hay (Clmstchui'ch'i; bulldogs, A. 11. Finer (Auckland); Scottish terriers, E. IL Sheppard (j)evonport). Produce—J. A. Nash (Palmerslon North); art classes, schools, and carving, L. Wntkin (I'cildins). W. F. Downes 1 Wiingnnui): wool and wool-classing, J. M'Xaught (CWlcclilfl: home industries— ! cooker.- A. E. Whitehead (Palmerston North) and J. A. Xash (Palmerston North), needlework Miss D. Ryan (Hawcra) and Miss M. White (Napier). Factory Managers are invited to drop a post-card for particulars of cheese, vats and hoops, the best made, Victor brand, to Albert J. Partou, Carterton. Do it now,'