NEW ZEALAND FLAX. 77 



are employed, and custom renders tliem very 

 expert. Before, however, the flax is manufac- 

 tured into matting, it is previously soaked in 

 water, and afterwards beaten, by which it be- 

 comes more pliable and soft. The plant is 

 named koradi by the natives ; and when the 

 flax is prepared, it is named imika. This plant 

 alone would render New Zealand a valuable 

 colony to the British nation. At present the 

 flax is used in England only in the manufacture 

 of cordage, Sec. ; but if the best varieties, indi- 

 genous to New Zealand, were selected, (for they 

 difl'er materially in the fineness of the fibre,) 

 and proper care and attention bestowed on the 

 cleaning, when in a recent state, it may, there 

 can be no doubt, be employed in the manufac- 

 ture of linen of very fine qualit}^ 



Previous to being used for cordage, Mr. 

 Maclaren has the flax well hackled, which ma- 

 terially improves its quality and appearance : 

 could it be exported in this improved state, it 

 cannot be doubted that much of the prejudice 

 now existing against its use would be removed ; 

 for the epidermis of the leaves being entirely 

 removed when the flax is well cleaned, the 

 fibres will, as a matter of course, unite closer 

 together, affording a united and stronger re- 

 sistance ; but Mr. Maclaren informs me that 



