175 



average about 3 ft. high, with several " fans." A considerable 

 number are 4 to 5 ft, high,, with up to 12 " fans." . 



I can find no record ot growth in New Zealand to beat this, and 1 



think that, if cut at 5^ years from the date of sowing, they would 

 yield a crop of several tons to the acre. Since 1914 I have grown 

 seedlings every year and bought plants as well. I have lost a good 

 many by planting them out too small and, for want of labour, not 

 keeping them clean enough for the first year or two ; but I have 

 now (February, 1919) about 31 acres planted out and doing well. I 

 have also strong seedlings enough for 15-20 acres more, which 

 should be fit to plant out next autumn, and smaller seedlings for 

 about a further 15 acres. Five-sixths of my plants are of the 

 variety known in Ireland as ik The Powerscourt Variety." 



This (No. 1) is, in my opinion, the same as that grown by 

 Mr. Wallace of Loch Ryan, near Stranraer. 



I see it growing better inland than any other variety and believe 

 it to be the hardiest. The leaves are very erect, the undersides of a 

 light bluish-green and the edges and keel with a narrow black or 

 dark red border. 



It grows here up to 9 ft. high, with flower-stem 10-12 ft. high, 

 and I think it is the variety called " Huhiroa " by the natives of 

 New Zealand. 



(2.) I have a small stock of another variety with a darker green 

 leaf and a broader black edge. It promises well. 



(3.) I have a few thousand of what I believe to be the w hill flax," 

 native name ■■ Tihore," ot New Zealand. It does well here, but I 

 never see a good plant of it inland. It does not often grow more than 

 6 ft. high, with flower stems 7-8 ft. high. The leaves are very 

 erect and numerous and it has. a general yellowish-green effect. It 

 is said to make a very good fibre. 



(4.) A small stock of a bronze or copper-coloured variety with a 

 red or black edge and keel to the leaves. It will, I think, reach 9 or 

 10 ft. high here, and appears likely to make good fibre. 



(5.) Two or three variegated varieties. Some of these are said to 

 make good fibre in New Zealand. They do w T elI here, but I have not 

 seen them growing well inland. 



(6.) The old common variety with drooping leaves, which has been 

 grown in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry certainly for 50 years. It is 

 probably the common M Swamp Flax" of New Zealand. It will not 

 do inland, but here it yields a heavy crop. It grows well on poor 

 w T et soil and in exposed situations. The fibre, I think, is not of the 

 best, but still it is ot value. 



I cut 16 tons of leaves of this variety in May, 1917, for the Irish 



i Companv, of Clondalkin, near Dublin. It was made into 



Mill 



brown wrapping-paper and was very well reported on by Mr. J. 

 Strachan, expert chemist to the Company. Mr. F. Becker, chairman 

 of the company, fully concurred in this opinion. Mr. Strachan also 

 considered that the flax leaves are well fitted for making special 

 lines of high-class paper, such as banknotes, untearable labels, etc., 



k h & A "* A ■ ill t Jh I ■ I 



the only obstacle being the present high price ot the fibre. 



At present, however, the main purpose for which this fibre is used 

 is for making binder-twine and high grade string and cord. For 

 these it is as good, if not better, than any other fibre. Fibre 



