294 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



at the mills, while the establishment of a number of subsidiary 

 industries would in all probability follow. The cultivation of hemp 

 does not call for hig'hly specialized agricultural skill, and the capital 

 involved both in culture and manufacture is comparatively small. 



Mr. Mason considers, therefore, that New Zealand flax {Phormiunn 

 tenax) is a fibre plant worthy of consideration as a possible addition 

 to the agricultural activities of the Union, and offers the following 

 comments for the information of all who may be interested in. and 

 desirous of considering, what seems a good proposition. 



In the Journal of Industries for February, 1919, a report appears 

 by Mr. E. Holmes-Smith, B.Sc, on investigations into fibre plants, 

 and PhormiuTn is one of the crops which the author recommends 

 should be encouraged and extended as far as possible. He also states 

 that, generally speaking, the whole coastal area passed through from 

 the Transkei to Mossel Bay offers great possibilities for the develop- 

 ment of fibre-growing and fibre industries. 



The fibre of New Zealand flax flnds a regular market, and is being 

 commercially produced in that country, also in California, St. Helena, 

 a'nd the Azores. It is mainly used in the manufacture of binder 

 twine, rope, string, and coarse mats, whilst some of the finest samples 

 are woven into cloth. In the United States it is mixed with plaster 

 to form a fibrous material used for the walls of sheds and other similar 

 buildings. The tow, which is the refuse from the scutching and 

 hackling processes, is used for upholstering work and can also be used 

 in the manufacture of oakum. The plant is found growing almost 

 wild at many places in the coastal regions stretching from Ixopo in 

 Natal to Capetown. The climatic conditions required for its growth 

 are an equable cKmate, plenty of sunshine, a reasonable rainfall, and 

 at a distance not too far removed from the sea. 



It will grow in almost any soil, but succeeds best in light soils by 

 the sides of rivers and brooks protected from the wind : it should 

 not be planted in swamps unless they have been previously drained. 

 It does not thrive under shade, and should only be planted in 

 localities free or almost free from frost. The climate and soil condi- 

 tions around Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, and George seem all that 

 could be desired for its growth. 



In these districts the plant is growing wild and without a doubt 

 could be cultivated on an extensive scale with every prospect of 

 success. Propagation can be effected by means of seed or by the 

 division of the roots of established plants. The latter is the method 

 most commonly employed, as the growth from seed is said not to 

 be uniform. The usual plan is to plant out the suckers at 5 feet apart 

 between the rows and 2 feet in the rows. On good soil the latter 

 distance might with advantage be extended to 3 feet. 



No cultivation is given beyond keeping down the more prolific 

 weeds : protection against fire must be provided. Should the land 

 become exhausted, manuring must be resorted to, and this may be 

 done by returning to the land the refuse from the mill. 



The crop is cut once every third year, and a fair average return 

 may be taken at about 20 tons to the acre, though under exceptionally 

 favourable conditions more than twice this return can be obtained. 



The cost of production varies according to locality and conditions. 



