CULTIVATION OF FLAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 7

CULTIVATION OF FLAX.

GROWTH ON PEAT LAND.

EXCELLENT PROGRESS MADE.

VIGOROUS AND HEALTHY PLANTS

[BY TELEGRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] lIAAHLTON, Monday. Satisfactory developments are taking place in connection with the growing of flax on the peat lands of Goi-donton and the plantations which have been established during the last two years are iohig exceedingly well. Flax fans transplanted on a three-quarter acre section of cultivated peat land by Mr. J. MeCallum at Gordonton two years a<:o have multiplied, and (lie plants have developed from 12 to 15 fans, with healthy leaves standing 6ft. high. This flax has almost reached a millable stage. Along the Piako Road, Gordonton, several hundred acres of fiax are to be seen in various stages of development. Many different operations arc in progress. Scrubcutters aro clearing virgin peat land for the plough ou one section. On an adjoining area motor tractors, with large double-furrow ploughs attached, are turning the surface over. Harrows follow the ploughs, breaking the soil down to a fine tilth, Men aro employed on another section planting flax fans. All the work is being done methodically and the long, even rows of flax fans made a tine sight on the level land. Five Million Seedlings. A nursery has been established and 5,000,000 seedlings are being raised. The seeds aro sown an inch apart in rows of fuiA sand laid ou tho peat. When tho seedlings reach a few inches in height they are transplanted and when these are two years old they are placed in the permanent plantation. In one area there are 100.000 seedlings which wero purchased in Murtinborough. They have done remarkably well and their condition indicates that the Gordonton peat lands suit them well. A further area of two-year-old plants showed that from 1740 roots 15,400 fans were obtained in 32 months. This experiment was carried out to ascertain whether it was more economical to plant seedlings direct than to uso root stock. Half an aero of the land is being set asido for experiments that are being carried out by the Massev Agricultural College. Fertilisers Not Necessary. Root growth is so rapid on the rich soil of the peat land that artificial fertilisers and lime have been found to be unnecessary. In fact, experiments have shown that the application of manuro retards rather than assists tho growth of the young plants. All classes oi manure have been tried, without any noticeable benefit.

Flax planted from crowns a year ago has been making rapid growth, tho leaves being of a bright, healthy colour and containing strong fibre. In another year much of it will be ready for cutting. About 7000 acres of laud is being devoted to flux glowing on the Piako Road and from j present indications the industry promises to be a pronounced success. A useful purpose ■ has been found for land which is not suitable for dairying or other purposes in its present condition. Tlic secret, of -tho success so far achieved lias been efficient drainage and constant cultivation. Through the rows of flax tho cultivator passes periodically, while the greatest care is taken to keep the seed beds and tiie seedling nurseries free oi weeds. AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS. THE NEW ZEALAND MARKET. The metropolitan vice-president of the New South Wales Returned Soldiers' League, Mr. L. A. Robb, who is on a visit to New Zealand, has informed league officials in Sydney that lie interviewed the Dominion Prime Minister, Mr. Coates. with the object of extending the sale in New Zealand of dried fruits from soldier settlements on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area, and from other soldier settlement areas in Australia. At tho latest congress of the league in Svdnev, savs a Sydney paper, it was decided to have representations made to the New Zealand Government- for preference for Australian-giown fruits. Mr. Robb states that, on arrival in New Zealand, lie waited on a railway station at 6.30 n.in. in order to catch the Prime Minister as 110 was going north. Mr. Coates seemed surprised that 110 preference prevailed, and promised to get in touch with tho Customs Department. Later he notified Mr. Robb that, until tho Australian and New Zealand Governments arranged for an alteration of their reciprocal tariff agreement, if would not be possible to imposo a duty on dried fruits grown in foreign countries. ASHBURTOM GAS COMPANY. DIVIDEND OF 10 PER C*N T T. The Ashburton Gas Company recently concluded ils 50th year of operations. At the annual meeting the chairman, Jill*. R. Clark, said that in 1878, with a capital of £4500 and 13 consumers, the company started to manufacture gas, retailing it at 19s 4d per thousand feet. In 1879 tho number of consumers had increased to 45 and to-day the number was 1353 and was rapidly increasing. He stated that tho directors had decided to rcduco tho price of gas by 5d per 1000 cubic feet as from January 1 next, this being the third reduction in tho last four years. A dividend of 10 per cent, for tho year has been declared. BRITISH MOTOR TRADE. THE OVERSEAS MARKETS. [fltOM Ol'U OWN CO It RESPONDENT. ] LONDON, Oct.. IG. "Cannot you British manufacturers come together and pool your resources at tho marketing end overseas, perhaps with tho assistance of merchants, so that there may he showrooms, service depots and the like, where several makes of British cars may bo shown and whore spare parts may bo obtained?" This suggestion was made by Mr. Douglas Hacking, Minister for Overseas Trade, in London, before tho Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders at a dinner attended by many leaders of tho motor industry and an annual function preceding the Motor Show. Mr. Hacking said he thought they were realising tho" importance of the opportunities awaiting them abroad. Tho visit of a delegation to Australia and Now Zealand and that to South Africa, and tho long tours taken by several manufacturers, show that tho industry was iti earnest in tackling tho great matter of its export trade. "Tho problem is 0110 for you alono to settle. ".I disliko making suggestions," Mr. Hacking continued, "but it is obvious that ono of your main difficulties overseas is that so few motor manufacturers can afford to have their own individual sales and services depots. Some form' of commercial agreement and a greater combination of effort appear to bo the lines upon which tho solution will run."