SUCCESS INDICATED

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 10

SUCCESS INDICATED

NEW LINEN-FLAX INDUSTRY?

TESTS IN CANTERBURY Proof that linen-flax could be grown successfully and profitably in North Canterbury has been provided in extensive experiments which have been conducted by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the agronomy division of the Scientific and Industrial Research Bureau. The experiments have been conducted with a view to the possible establishment of a linen-flax industry which would allow the utilisation of considerable areas of what are now only second-class grazing or pasture lands—lands which are not always suitable for wheatgrowing. Farmers growing linen-(lax woiftd then have a sound commercial avenue for their crops, the fibre of which would be processed and exported to meet a reliable demand abroad. Department’s Tests The department first started tests about two years ago with trial plots in Canterbury and Palmerston North. Quantitative and qualitative tests showed the fibre to be up to the standard of the English product, and that the land would produce good yields an acre. This year a more intensive experiment has been conducted in North Canterbury, on the downs between Glentui and Waikari, the work being undertaken under the supervision of the Instructor in Agriculture at Rangiora Mr A. Nash . Between September 15 and November 15, 34 Irial plots have been laid down, scattered over districts on the Moeraki, Sefton, and Ashley downs, and near Loburn and Amberley. The results of the .trials will serve the dual purpose of affording the department information on the reaction of the crops to soil types, and on the yields and quality of fibre, and of demonstrating to farmers an entirely new way in which they may exploit their land. The type of seed used by the department is known as Liral Grown seed, the type recommended by the Linen Research Institute in Britain. One of the advantages of the crop is that it matures in 100 days, the fullygrown plant being about three feet high. An Alternative Crop The plots in North Canterbury arc nn land with a stiff clay sub-soil. Mr Nash told a reporter of The Press. The flax was making excellent progress on a type of soil frequently not suitable for wheatgrowing. The land was reasonably free from weeds such ■as fathen, could be cultivated in the spring, and sown in October. To farmers on this type of land the flax would offer an alternative crop when the autumn was unfavourable for putting in ,wlieat. Tile trial plots have established very well this year, indicating that considerable areas of North Canterbury could probably be turned to ac-

count for linen-flax growing. While ! the experiments have .so far been j confined mostly to North Canterbury, J however, it is believed that areas in . Mid-Ganterburv and South Canter- J bury could be exploited with equal j success. Flax from these plots will be pulled in