IS FLAX A DANGEROUS CARGO?

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1839, 6 December 1869, Page 6

IS FLAX A DANGEROUS CARGO?

To the Editor of the Herald. Sin,—ln my letter, of the 30th November, on the subject of flax, I confined my remarks principalis' to that which is baled at the mills. I now, with your permission, propose to say a few words as to that purchased in Auek land in the bale. This may be perfectly dry when it leaves the mill; but us the present primitive mode appears to be to pack it Oα drays without any cover from the weather, and' then to throw it in a heap upon the warehouse lloor, I can see that there is a very great danger of evil here. If l-he flax has got wetted by rain or damps, although the outside of the bales may feel dry, the inside portions miiy still be damp ; and flax in a heap will not dry; to dry it you must let the air have access to it. As I have before observed, the importance of perfect dryness cannot be overrated, therc'ore I would impress on all parties concerned in this most important trade, the necessity of extra caution in dealing with the fibre. After it is onee manufactured, let it be kept under cover as much as possible ; let every precaution be taken to prevent it. from getting wet, or absorbing damp ; and above all things, be sure it is " boue dry " before it is presspacked. There wns a very simple little instrument invented some years ago, for the use of travellers, to enable thfin to toll whether a bed was dump. It was merely a small looking-glass, about three inches diameter, set in a flat case, with a sliding cover, in which was a circular hole about half-an-inch diameter. This was placed in the bed for a short time : then being taken out, the cover was removed, when, if the bed was damp, a round spot would be found on the glass corresponding with the hole in the cover. A similar fell-tale would answer equally well, I expect, if thrust, into a head of flax in the absence of more expensive instalments.—l am, &c, Chas. Sanderson.