AIDING FLAX INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 20

AIDING FLAX INDUSTRY.

experimentation plan.

WORK AT MASSEY COLLEGE

dominion-wide trials.

Latest of the lines of research taken up ill Mnssoy Agricultural College, Paijuerston North, is that affecting the production sido of the flax industry. Already roots representative of about 50 varieties havo been planted at tho college, and plans are in train for Dominion-wide experimentation. Already a wido area lias been drawn upon for typical flax samples. "Fans," as 4ho root sections for planting are known, have been collected from tho flax swamps of tho Manawatu, tho Waikato, Hawko's Hay, Taranaki and tho Wairarapa, but the search and tests will cover tho wholo of New Zealand. Tho task of setting about a complete classification of New .Zealand flax is no light one. Since the work performed by Dr. Cross in 1910-11 thore does not appear to have been very much done in classifying the many varieties of phormium tenax. Flax cannot be simply divided into varieties on sight. It is considered quite likely that in some cases, what appear to bi distinctly different sorts, will prove to Le the same when grown under identical conditions. Therefore, it is proposed to collect "fans" and ceed from all quarters of tho country, grow the samples together at Massey College, and note results. In other parts of both islands the work will be duplicated, always with tho idea of ascertaining just how each variety behaves under particular soil and climatic conditions. Breeding True to Type. Research will concentrate on tho selection of those varieties which under given conditions grow fastest, are healthiest, ttud produce the largest quantity of the Lest fibre in any given time. A great difficulty in flax culture is that «eed very often Jails to produce plants true to type. Wherever possible, therefore, seed is being collected along with "fans," from the parent bush in the swamp, and will bo grown to compare results and facilitate study of hybrids and crosses. Along those lines a method of breeding true to type from seed will be sought. If' one is found, a great boon will have been conferred upon tho industry, because for obvious reasons growing from "fans" presents many disadvantages when practised on a large commercial scale. Flax is a generous seeder, the seed from one stalk sometimes being sufficient to plant four or five acres. Wherever "fans" or seed are taken from a swamp a copper disc is attached to the parent bush, and full geographical notes and a photograph record are taken to ensure that the plant can be readily iound again, either for the purpose of securing more "fans" or seed, or for comparing its growth with that of the offshoots grown at the college or some other outpost experimental plot in either island. Studying Quality Variations.

An instance ot the differences in the quality of flax in different areas, whether they are due to soil or climate or both, or to the fact that the varieties differ essentially, is provided by the mill of Mr. F. Wall "at Martinborough, and those in the Manawatu. At Mr. Wall's mill, on the word ot a leading miller, more and better fibre per ton of green leaf is _ produced than anywhere elso in the North Island. There a ton of finished fibre is obtained from 6 tons 11 cwt. of green leaf, whereas in the Manawatu 8 tons of leaf to a ton of fibre is more common. The growth of Martinborough flax in the Manawatu, and careful tests to be made by the college research experts will bo followed with keen interest. Since flax plants take four to six years to mature, results from work of this character cannot be looked for inside several years.. But investigation is definitely on the way In addition to the "fans" now »et. out a further area will be planted on nnother part of tho Masse.y College this year. The decision to centralise research in flax at tho Massey College cannot but hearten the industry. Experimentation in the past has been left largely to millowners, who individually and in a cooperative way have done much valuable .■work; but there is now the assurance that research in a Dominion wide sense ■will bo carried on continuously and progressively. not as a side-line but as a concentrated endeavour. It has long been realised that in phormium tenax New .Zealand possesses a natural asset worthy of far greater attention than it has received in the past. Just how far it may profitably be grown by the farmer as a sideline, as linen flax is grown in Ireland, and how it may be adapted to culture in soils of little value to general farming usage, will depend upon the reeults of lengthy experimentation.