222 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 April, 1919. 



THE FLAX INDUSTRY. 



J. Rohilliarcl, Senior Inspector, Farin Products. 



Flax has been grown to a limited extent in this State, chiefly in 

 Gippsland, for many years past, and though encouragement in the 

 form of a bonus was given to growers by the State Government some 

 years ago, and recently by the Commonwealth Government, the indus- 

 try has not made the progress it merited, or that was anticipated. 



The experience gained, however, has clearly proved that, given 

 proper conditions, flax will grow well in many parts of the State, and 

 in normal seasons give satisfactory yields of both seed and fibre. 



There is a local demand, which may be greatly increased, for a 

 considerable quantity of both products, which, up to the present, has 

 been only partially supplied. Should the area under flax be so increased 

 as to' produce more fibre than is required for home consumption, there 

 exists a practically unlimited market in the United Kingdom at prices 

 which at present rates should prove remunerative. 



Prior to the war Russia produced about 80 per cent, of the world's 

 requirements of flax fibre, the export of which was, of course, stopped 

 at the outbreak of war; and with that portion of the Russian country 

 where the crop was largely grown falling into enemy hands, the indus- 

 try, if not temporarily stopped, must have received a very severe check, 

 and owing to present conditions it is unlikely that Russia will for quite 

 a long time be in a position to produce quantities equal to her fonner 

 output. Belgium and the North of France also exported a fairly large 

 proportion, but they, too, will probably not be in a position to produce 

 normal quantities for a considerable period. The very great shortage 

 has naturally caused a rapid increase in flax values, recently reaching 

 high figures; present prices may not be maintained, but, taking all 

 things into consideration, it is only reasonable to suppose that flax 

 will for several years hence command fairly high prices. Then should 

 not Victorian farmers in suitable localities give flax cultivation their 

 serioias consideration? 



ISTot being able to obtain their supply of flax from the customary 

 sources, the British Government were forced to look for it elsewhere, 

 and about twelve months ago arranged to purchase, at a satisfactory 

 figure, the fibre produced from all flax grown in Australia during the 

 last year. This enabled the Commonwealth Government to guarantee 

 growers £5 per ton for unthreshed flax of a given standard. A com- 

 mittee was appointed to encourage its cultivation, and their efforts 

 resulted in about 1,500 acres being sown, the product of which is now 

 being treated. 



The Commonwealth Government is now guaranteeing the growers 

 £6 per ton for all fibre flax of standard quality grown this year. The 

 standard quality means well-groMTi, unthreshed flax, appraised by the 

 committee as of average quality, of average length in sheaf of 30 inches, 

 well seeded, free from disease, weeds, and foreign matter, properly 

 harvested, property tied, and delivered in good order and condition to 

 the nearest scutch mill. 



