THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2434, 28 July 1924, Page 4

THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

METHODS OF CUTTING. DOES SIDE-LEAF PAY? Considerable interest has been taken in the new method of cutting flas which has been undergoing an exhaustive trial by a few Manawatu millers during the last eighteen months. Under the old method, the whole of the: leaf was cut every four years, iust leaving the crown of ths flax and the roots. The new method, now known as “side-leaf" ting the leaves on both sides of the “fan.” and leaving the “sucker, or youngest loaf and the two protecting leaves. The advantage of this method tn that the crop can be cut annually Therefore th 0 plant .gives the greatest overage yield per annum, while the shock to the plant is m’nimlsed. which also accounts for the greater yield. In order to find out whether the new method had come up to expectations, a “Times” reporter interviewed Mr Alfred Seifert, president Of the Now Zealand Flasmlllcrs’ Association, on the matter, being particularly anxious to discover wehther the increased production under the new method was counter-balanced by the added cost. In reply to a question as to whether the “side-leaf” method had any effect on the diseane-res’sting power of the plant, Mr Seifert stated that this had hardly entered into his caleolations because all flax was becoming healthy again whether cut side leaf or by the old way. “Ihave,” he continued, “absolute proof that side leaf cutting did not prevent the disease. At my home I planted a row of flax about fourteen yards long in 11)15. The flax was always cut sideleaf, but it took the disease in a bad form and three-quarters of the row died out completely. “Therefore, the whole advantage to +he growers is in the greater y'eld, Up to the present we cannot definitely state what that Is, because cutting side-leaf has only been carried on for eighteen months —not long enough to form a definite oninlnn about thß matter. But it will probably give a DO per cent greater yield of leaf than under the old way.” “Assuming that the yield is 90 per cent greater under the side-leaf method.’’ our reporter asked “to what extent does the increased cost counter, balance the advantage?” In reply, Mr Seifert quoted the following comparative figures which were the result of careful analysis and fairly set oul the position from the growers’ standpoint:— Return Per Acre. Old Side method leaf Tleld per annum 7 tons 13 tons Cost of cutting good leaf (per ton) 7/6 15/Delivery to mill 6/- 7/Total cost per ton 13/6 227Price of leaf per ton 30/- 30/Nett return pe.r ton 16/6 8/Nett return per acre £5 15/6 £5 4/"It will therefore be seen that there is a balance of 11/6 per acre in favour of the old method of cutting when the above rates are paid. Another point that would count with many growers is that in addition to a saving of 11/6 they could sell their leaf at a lower price without actual loss, while having less trouble handling a small quant ty. “Does this mean, then, that the flaxmillers will return to the old method ?” “That I cannot say definitely yet,” replied Mr Seifert. “It is purely a question of yield verus cost. If further experience confirms the above dequestion of yield versus cost. If further course that growers will be compelled to abandon side-leaf cutting.”