NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 467, 15 November 1869, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FLAX.

It will be remembered that, during the recent sesaiou o£ the General Assembly, it was agreed to appoint a Commission to enquire into and report upon the best modes of cultivating and preparing the Phormium tenax os an article of export. The commission has sine* been appointed, and consists of gentlemen resident in each province in the colony who have shown a marked interest in the subject. The subjoined questions will be circulated by the Commissioners, with- the view of obtaining the fullest .possible iaformation, and it is to be hoped that all who have any suggestions to offer, or any actual experience to note, will do their utmost to aid in securing a report which will be of service to the colony generally:— I.— GROWTH AND CULTIVATION. 1. What are the: names of the different; kinds of flax with which you are acquainted? 2. What are the special uses of each ? Do they grow from seed ? specimens of any peculiar leaf for microscopic examination are requested. .=- ----3. What is the soil best adapted for each variety ? 5. What is the best mode of cultivationincluding the time of the year for planting and cutting ? 6. What is the distance from row to row ? 7. What is the distance between plants in a row ? 8. How many roots are planted together ? 9. How long after planting before leaves reach maturity, or are fit to cut ? 10. How long after each cutting before another crop can be cut ? 11. How is it known when leaves are fit to cut ? 12. Is the entire plant cut down each time, or only the outer leaves? Give length and weight of leaf. 13. At what distance from tho ground should the leaf be cut ? 14. What digging and manure are required in planting ? 15. Where, and how, can a supply of plants of the beat sorts, and seeds be obtained ? ■ 16. How, and when, should seeds be gathered ; and how, and when, best sown and transplanted? Give full details of. process. 17. Can you give any information as to the native mode of working flax ; if so, state it ? II — MANUFACTURE. 1. What is the number of flax works in your province ? State situation and names of owners ? 2. How is the flux brought to each of these mills? , .-., 3. What is the cost of each ton of green flax at the mill ? 4. What are the various processes through which the flax is put ? Please to. give fall details— see following queries :— 5. What is the number of personß employed — giving details of each branch of process ? ■ 6. Is labour by piece or day work ? 7. Are the lashings worked up as green flax? 8. What is the best mode of carrying green flax to avoid heating ? 9. How long may the cut flax be retained before being worked up ? 10. How can it be kept fresh and pliable ? 11. What is the cost of production of a ton of fibre ? State the total cost of machinery, allowance for tear and wear or depreciation, rent, insurance, and other charges. 12. What price is obtained for flax and tow — stating where sold ? : 13. Cost of transport per ton, and charges for selling and storing ? 14. How are the bales made up for carriage, and what is the best mode of packing ? 15. What machines are used? State makers' names and addresses. 16. How many do you employ, constantly or occasionally ? 17. Are they satisfactory or otherwise ? Suggest remedy for defects. 18. What is the annual tear and wear; what the duration of machine? 19. What is the diameter, and what are tke revolutions of the stripping drum per minute? 20. What is the diameter, and what- are the ■ revolutions of the feeding rollers ? ■ ... „ 2 1 . How much dressed flax can each machine dress per hour.or day of 8 hours? 22. By what power are your . machines driven ? 23. What is the horse-power required for each machine ? 24. What kind of scutching machine is used? Describe it, and state cost,, and amount of work done by it per day. 25. What is the horse-power required to drive it ? 26. Do you adopt any mechanical or chemi-

cal appliances for washing, wringing, &c. Describe process of washing flax, or freeing it from gum, and cost of tbe same, 27. What time is allowed to elapse between each operation ? 28. Is flax allowed to remain any time after being washed, and before being spread out? 29. What process do you adopt in bleaching and drying flax — whether on grass, rails, lines, or ovens. And what time is required for each ? 30. How many tons of green flax is required to make one of fibre? 31. Are butts and points of green leaves cut off before being manufactured? If so, to what use turned ? 32. Js any use made of refuse from machines. If so what ? 33. Is any use made of gum ? 34. Is" any use made of other products? 35. To what use may the fibre be applied ; such as ropes, gunny bßgs, papers ? Can it be dressed so as to be used in making fine fabrics? To what extent should it be dressed before being sent home ?