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Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 28 May 1872, Page 3

Henry Clewa, the well-known bald-headed banter, who always prides himself on being a self-made man, during a recent talk with Mr. Traver», had occasion to remark that he was the architect of his own destiny—that he was a self-made man. " W-w----wbat d-did you s-say, Mr. Clew* ?" asked Mr. Travers. " I say with pride, Mr. Travere, that I am a self-made man—that I made myself—" ♦'Hold, H-henry," interrupted Mr. Travers, as he dropped his partaga, " w-while you were m-m----making yourself, why the devil d-did-didn't you p-put some more hair oh the fop of y-your h-head :' ( Mr. Clews has since invested seventy-five cents in a wig. Barbers make many friends, but scrape many acquaintances."

HINTS TO AGRICULTURISTS. From Anderson, Hall *nd Co , * Catalogue, Sydney. Sainfoin. — This is another excellent plant, and is particularly suited to a dry climate; it is especially adapted for poor, dry, thin soils, and, with an occasional dressing, will retain its vigour for eight or ten years. The great drawback to its extens've cultivation has been the difficulty of procuring seed that would germinate; for, although wg have imported the seed packed in every way, we have never succeeded in retaining its vitality. We.have now, however, procired a parcel of colonial-grown quality. It may be sown either broadcast or in drills, bat the former is generally preferred ; the seed, being very large, requires deeper sowing than clover. Seed of the above, colonialgrown, 3s Od per pound.

Planter's Friend., —This is also a most valuable plant, is of stronger growth than the sorghum saccharatum, and is much hardier for winter use, and retains all its good qnalitiee after our severest frosts ; it is alflu a augar-producing plant of great value.

NEW ZEALAND FLAX. PHOKMIUM FIBEE, The following report on New Zealand flax, from a London broker, will tend to settle the vexed question of whether the fibre will stand sea water ;— "New Zealand Hemp (or Flax.)— The demand privately has been well maintained, at advanced price*, and aeveral parcels have been taken for export, but business has been much restricted by the scarcity of almost all qualities. The favourable opinion* we have ventured to express during the past year of the merits of this fibre, both for cordage aud textile purpo*e», have been fully renfied Its value for cordage purposes is now well established ; it has been proved to withstand the effect of seawater, and, when properly prepared, to make rope stronger and more durable than either Manilla or llussian hemp. W* have good reasons for anticipating an early and a regular demand for the prepared fibre, for mixing with Riga and other fine flax. Some canvas ha* been made entirely from this fibre, and it only requires to be prepared in sufficiently large quantities to ensure its general use for textile fabrics. When the improved process i* adopted in New Zealand, a much higher range of prices will be obtainable for this hemp.

TOWNALL'S FLAX MACHINE. The Welling lon Independent of the 27th March, says . — "During the past-week a series of of very satisfactory experiments have been made with Pownall's flax machine to illustrate the improvements recently effected by the inventor. These experiments have been conducted in the presence of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Dr. Hector, Chairman of the Flax Commission, Mr. Brogdtn, Mr. Halcombe, and a number of other persons interested in the subject of flax manufacture. The improvements effected were, some of them, suggested by Mr. Humphreys in his report of the trial of Mi , . Povvnall's machine at Seymour and Weston's mills on the Wairau. A space of three inches' is left between the cylinders, so that any small piece of fibre that may escape from a broken leaf or otherwise can now be removed without stoppiug the machine. The fluted rollers have likewise been lengthened and casings put to the india-rubber springs, thus rendering it complete and quite capable of continuous work with the same regularity and minimum of friction as a steam engine. These improvements were apparent to all who had seen the former experiments with the same machine ; the leaves now pass regularly through the rollers and strippers without the fibre catching in the cylindcra and becoming entwined round them. A high rate of speed can now be attained, and a very large quantity of material put through. We understand that Mr. Brogden expressed hie decided approval of the principle, and stated that he should not hesitate to adopt this machine were he to engage in the manufacture of the phormium fibre. The improved machine has been sent to Wairau, where it will undergo a further and more extensive trial at the flax mill of Mr. Seymour."