326 
“The apprentices will receive instruction and must take part in 
all operations connected with the cultivation, retting, and scutching 
of flax, and with the marketing of the fibre. They will be required 
to devote their whole time to such wor 
“ Applicants a OMe rita be at least 21 years of age, 
in good health, a strong constitution. 
* The ipprentenp will be awarded on the result of an exam- 
ination, which will include written tests in English and arithmetic. 
ach candidate will also be examined orally as to his knowledge of 
flax-growing, and his general suitability for an apprenticeship. 
Bycisrensé will be given to those who have attended Winter Agri- 
eultural Classes. No expenses will be allowed wy candidates in 
connection with their attendance at this examinatio 
* Successful candidates will be called up for taining about the 
beginning of October. ey will receive wages at the rate of 
fifteen shillings per week from the date of their commencing work, 
and will be required to find their own board and lodging. The 
apprenticeship may be determined at any time by one week’s notice 
in writing on either ‘ 
“ While it is peiable that eigen eee who complete their train- 
ing satisfactorily will be offered appoinments as instructors, at a 
salary of about two pounds per week, the Departnstt do not under- 
fone to hee: employment for any apprentice on the conclusion 
of his train 
In the same volume, pp. 397-399, a scheme of prizes for the 
guidance of county committees is outlined for the encouragement of 
the culture of flax and the preparation of its fibre. The ‘scheme is 
divided into two sections. Section A refers to exhibitions of flax ; 
prizes being offered for growers, scutchers, ss employees and 
mill-owners. Section B is subdivided as follows :-— 
(a.) For growers, the valuation of whose holding does not exceed 
£10, and who grow at least half a statute acre of flax, or sow at 
least 4 + bag of seed. 
or growers, the valuation of whose holding exceeds £10 but 
does not exceed £25, and who grow at least one statute acre of flax 
or sow at least 1 bag of seed. 
d.) For growers, the valuation of whose holding exceeds £50, 
_ and who ar. at least three statute acres of flax, or sow at least 
1} bags o 
It is manned that judges shall take into consideration freedom 
of Bes from weeds ; uniformity of crop; length and quality of 
“Since 1901, the Department have been conducting experiments 
in manuring, the use of various types of seed, and several other 
important questions. The results of these experiments have been 
_ published from time to time in the Department’s Journal, notably 
in vols. ii, pp. othe = pp: mie a pp. 616-635 ; Vy 
_ pp. 449-464 ; vii, pp. 0-268 ; 3 vill, pp. 23-440 : sky py 270- 
284 ; x, pp. 279-293 ; eS pp- 327-341 ; xil, oe 502-517. 
From manurial experiments conducted during the years 1905-08, 
the pen. conclusions were arrived at (vol. xii, p. 502): 
f the potash manures in general use Kainit and Muriate : 
of fnak are the most suitable for flax, either of these manures _ 
