NEW ZEALAND HEMP 39 



(4) The following will be the standards on which the grades 

 will be determined : 



1st grade (superior) 91 to 100 points, both inclusive. 

 2nd ,, (fine) ...81 to 90 ,, ,, 



3rd ,, (good fair) 71 to 80 ,, ,, 



4th ,, (fair)... 61 to 70 ,, 



5th ,, (common) 51 to 60 ,, 



(5) Any bale of the fibre awarded less than 51 points will be 

 condemned. 



(6) A tin tag is to be placed in the middle of the bale, con- 

 nected by wire with a leathern one at the other end, upon 

 which in large letters will be the brand or mark and the 

 number of the bale, and a space will be left on the leathern 

 tag for the grader to affix the grade tally. 



No fibre will be graded while in a wet or damp condition. 

 In grading the fibre the following will be the maximum 

 points for allotment : 



For stripping 20 points. 



For washing ... ... ... ... ... 20 



For scutching ... ... ... ... .. 20 ,, 



For colour ... ... ... ... ... 20 ,, 



For strength ... ... ... ... ... 20 ,, 



No hemp will be allowed to be exported from the Colony 

 unless examined by the grader and the tally of quality affixed 

 to each bale. 



The alterations in the grading came into force on Sep- 

 tember 2, 1907. 



It is expected that the enforcement of these rules will lead 

 to a decided improvement in the quality of the fibre exported. 



When chemically treated the New Zealand hemp fibre 

 may be spun much finer than it usually is, and woven into 

 canvas, &c. A process of this sort has been patented by 

 a German chemist. He recommends the selection of the 

 leaves of the younger plants. Removing the brown edges, he 

 boils the leaves in a solution of the alkaline salts, borax, soda, 

 or sodium bicarbonate. The moist and warm leaves are then 

 to be beaten with wooden hammers until the woody tissue has 



