ON THE FARM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23318, 29 September 1945, Page 6

ON THE FARM

"linen flax and LINSEED Good Seed Bed Important These two farm crops were originally derived from the same parent plant and are the result of plant breeding and selection for the particular characteristics which each plant now possesses. In the evolution of the linen flax plant precedence being given to the fibre content of the plant, lack of branching and length of straw, while in the case of linseed, emphasis was given to the yield and oil content of the seed. The result has been that each variety is now almost perfect for the job for which it is intended. With the establishment in New Zealand of factories for the processing of the products of the two plants there arises the necessity for the annual sowing of a sufficient acreage of both to ensure that the two industries can operate economically throughout the year. While the farming community and everyone collectively may feel some responsibility for the securing of an adequate acreage of each to assist with the development and maintenance of both industries, the individual farmer can only grow the particular species which will give him the maximum net return per acre and will at the same time fit in best with his rotation or which at the time suits the particular seasonal situation on the farm.

South Canterbury has always had the reputation of being most suitable for the growing of the flax species. During the first world war the district grew the largest acreage of linseed, and in the second world war the largest acreage of linen flax. Out of the seven flax factories being retained in New Zealand in the endeavour to establish the industry under post war conditions four are in South Canterbury. The Individual farmer’s problem is at present whether he should grow linseed or linen flax, and while it is not possible to assess what return any crop will give, it is possible from the farmer’s knowledge of the particular field under consideration to determine which of the two crops will do the best. Cultivation A successful crop of linen flax demands early cultivation and ploughing; linseed is not nearly so exacting in this respect. Linseed will give a good return per acre when sown after rape or fed-off turnips, swedes or chou moellier; linen flax will not, since this rotation adversely affects the fibre content. The presence of weeds such as fathen, yarrow and thistle seriously detracts from the value of the linen flax crop, and the sowing of the crop under these conditions is therefore very risky. Linseed can compete with these weeds and still produce a payable crop of seed. Growers of linen flax who have experienced difficulty in obtaining sufficient length of straw in the crop would probably be better off if they raised a linseed crop in which length is no detriment to success. On present comparative prices a good crop of linen flax will give a greater cash return per acre than will a good crop of linseed. Linen flax should not be sown after the first week in November; linseed can be sown up to the third week of the same month. The seed bed is most important in the success of each crop, and particular attention should be given to this before sowing. It must be fine, firm, free; cultivation to this end should only be given when the ground is in suitable condition and the weather fine. The decision as to whether linen flax or linseed is grown should lie, as always, with the field and its soil. Knowledge and experience only can correctly interpret the answer, as is the case with any crop on the farm.