NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2790, 31 May 1890, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND HEMP.

Mr Chas. Spurling's Advice to New Zealand Hemp Shippers. Having been employed largely as a broker for a period of some 40 years in tho sale and purchase of textile fibres from India and the colonies, and anxious to see an increased development of the trade of this country of New Zealand hemp, the writer hopes he may tie excused, in the interest of shippers aud all concerned, to direct attention to the various suggestions annexed, feeling certain that their careful adoption will be likely in the future to maintain, and further yet improve the favourable opinion gaining ground as to the value of this article both heie and abroad :—l. That, as far as possible, the colour be uniform, and of a palish yellow. 2. That where two or moro colours exist, they should, as far as possible, be separated into secondary marks. 3. That uo runners or hard strikes (improperly .decorticated fibres), should be loft in the heads or layers. 4. That the seed or crop end should be softened ; the tow and hard particles being carefully removed. 5. That the bales generally shipped at present are too heavy and bulky, and the heads too large. Squaro press-packed bales of 2| to 2J cwt. each are, much preferred to larger bales, and the heads should not exceed 2A to 3i-lbs. weight each. 6. That fine and good coloured hemp should be protected by a cloth or canvas wrapper. 7. That tho hemp be carefully retted or steeped in none but clear water, a running stream being most advisable. The defects of colour visible in many parcels of fibre shipped clearly indicate a want of proper care in this respect, and that discoloured or stagnant water has been too frequently used in the steeping process. 8. That neither in baling nor iu dumping should iron bands or iron wire be used, since either .by ship's sweat, or by sea damage, the fibre is liable through oxidation to discolour and materially to effect the saleable value of this article, i). That the bales be bound with New Zealand or other hemp ropes, but not with iron bands or wire rope of any description. 10. That to prevent chances of fire, through spontaneous combustion, the hemp be thoroughly well dried before packing or baling. 11. That in order to do full justico as betvveen one district of growth and another, each district of growth, if possible, should be superadded to the other shippers marks.