The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1906. FLAX CULTIVATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11977, 21 September 1906, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1906. FLAX CULTIVATION.

Wb are glad to see that the Government, recognising the great value of the flax industry, is taking up the matter of systematic cultivation of the plant. The wonder is it has not been dealt with before, as the great development of the industry has had the effect of cutting out many large flax areas, and the benefit the colony derives from it is altogether too great to lose. So far nearly all the flax milled has been cut from swampy and waste lands, where it has grown in its natural state, aided by nothing in the way of artificial methods. We venture to predict, however, that before another quarter of a century has pa*ssed, this state of things will be as extinct as the dodo, and that a well-cultivated field of flax will be as necessary a part of a wellordered farm as are fields of oats or potatoes. The great obstacle in the way of an immediate consummation in this direction is the want of knowledge on the part of farmers and others interested of the most suitable varieties to cultivate,

a knowledge as essential to the flax grower as is information on the leading characteristics of Dakota Beds or Northern Stars to the petato grower. In this connection we may direct the attention of our readers to an interview, reported in another column, with Mr Gregor McGregor, Of Maxwelltown, near here, who is an acknowledged authority on the subject. It will be noticed that Mr McGregor, in dealing with the subject, emphasises very strongly the necessity of careful selection of varieties as being essental to success. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. R. McNab, speaking at Shannon last week, made some interesting remarks on the subject, and announced that the matter would be placed in the hands of one of the University Colleges for research. This is a step in the right direction, from which much good should result, and we have great hopes from the interest displayed by the Minister himself, who has, on his private farm, made many experiments in the growing of flax plants. Experimental plots have been observed for some time on at least two of the State farms, but it is stated that unfortunately, in one instance, the marks distinguishing the different varieties have been lost, which, if true, is a great pity, involving as it does the further loss of much valuable time and patient observation. One important factor in connection with the cultivation of flax is that at present, the world's demand is greatly in excess of the supply, ana will probably continue so for many years. The great expansion of farming in Canada and the United States, and the more universal use of the binder in fell the farming countries of the world, has created an immense demand for twine, and even though this should ceaee to grow, it is probable that, as Mr McGregor remarks, flax fibre will in future be put to many hitherto undreamt-of uses. The possibility of making it a profitable crop is therefore obvious, and the Government should see that so valuable an asset is developed to the fullest extent, thereby [ adding very materially to the colony's wealth. The value of a flax crop to the farmer may be gauged from the fact that the yield may be placed at anything from .£lO to <£10 per acre, or, as Mr McGregor puts it, "A man with 100 acres of flax is worth iiIOOO a year."

Next in importance to selection and cultivation is the cutting of the leaf, in fact, it may almost be Baid that proper cutting ia coincident in importance with careful selection, for faulty cutting will ruin, if it does not kill out, the most valuable plants. The matter is one which, in regard to flax areas on Crown lands, calls for stringent regulation, if not special legislation. The usual method is to chop out the plant as near the ground as possible in order to g«t weight, with the result that leaves of all ages are put together into the stripper, which must inevitably turn out fibre of very uneven quality, one part of a hank being weak, another part perhaps good, but the combined result inferior. This al&o means that if the plant is not killed it is years before it will grow leaves for further euting. On the other hand, the cutting of only tho mature leaves permits cutting every year, besides ensuring an evenness of quality which doeß not obtain at present. The weight both of green flax and resultant fibre will, of course, be somewhat less in total bulk, though more per leaf, but this will be compensated for by superiority of grade, and consequently a higher price, besides which less weight means lower working expenses. Testimony to the value of the matured leaf is found in the fact that the bulk of the flax cut for milling would never be looked at by the Maoris for good work, and is only used by them for making rough mats and kits.

Another important point that should be borne in mind by those engaged in the work of research is the improvement of the plant by crossing. Everyone is acquainted with the results achieved in many other plants by hybridisation, and if, as is claimed, this will ensure greater length of leaf and superiority of fibre, its prosecution will be more than justified. Not only that, but a study of climates and soils should also be made, for it is patent that a variety which may thrive at Gisborne may become only a stunted specimen at Wanganui, while one which may grow luxuriantly in the volcanic soil of Auckland may wilt and die on the Canterbury Plains. The best time «f year for cutting should receive attention equally with the best methods for such, while there is a fine field for scientific discovery in the utilisation of by-products. So far the Government! and those directly interested in the industry are the only ones who show a decided interest in the question of flax cultivation, the farming community taking no more than the same interest that is taken in any passing event, for the simple reasou that the matter has as yet scarcely been regarded as within the sphere of practical agriculture. We are of opinion, however, that they will before ..long look upon it as one of their best crops. We have not the slightest fear of over-production, as the articles of manufacture are not only in constant and growing demand, but are aleo what a Government storekeeper would call "expendible," while it may fairly be assumed that the fibre may some day be utilised in textile and other industries to which it is at present a stranger. The fact that the cultivation of the flax plant is contemplated in Australia and America is ample proof of its value as a commercial commodity, and we have no doubt the Government will take such steps as will not leave New Zealand behind in the cultivation of a plant and the development of an industry, delay in regard to which may mean handing over to commercial rivals a great part of the benefits which ought to accrue to ourselves.