A NEW FLAX PROCESS.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 7066, 25 July 1906, Page 2

A NEW FLAX PROCESS.

LOCAL INVENTION. Mr T. J. Mitchell, the well-known fhxmiller, of Hamilton, as the result of careful and prolonged experiments, has discovered a new process of treating New Zealand hemp. The principle is to employ a simple chemical method in place of the mechanical stripping by means of the drum and beating bar. The green tiix is boiled in a tank containing the chemical, which reduces everything but the fibre to a soft pulp. This pulp is then scraped off, and the fibre dried. Among the advantages of the new process, Mr Mitchell mentions that the fibre is not bruised, as it is by the mechanical process now in use. There will also be a considerable saving the fibre from the whole length of the leaf being kept intact, none of it being beaten into tow. Scutching is thus rendered unnecessary, and, since the fibre does not become darker in colour during the process, as in stripping by machinery, paddocking will not be required. Mr Mitchell has shown us sampies which appear to bear out fill these claims. He further states that his is quite different from the previously attempted chemical processes, and that the necessary liquid can be produced at a cost consistent with commercial success. Mr Mitchell, whose experience as a fkxmiller in the Wailcato and the Manawatu entitles his opinion to general confidence, has the strongest conviction that his new process will be entirely successful. He will show samples of the fibre to the fhxuiillers of the province in their conference to-morr iw in Auckland.