LJ 
W. Travers.— Utilization of Phormium tenax. 115 
alone it occurs in great abundance, growing with more than average luxuri- 
ance. There cannot, in fact, be the least doubt of its abundance as a mere 
natural production; and we may confidently assert that if the fibre can be 
economically separated in a condition fit for the English market, the natural 
supply is not likely to be exhausted for many years to come. I may add, 
moreover, in reference to supply, that from actual experiment I have 
ascertained that average flax land in its natural growth will yield from ten 
to twelve tons of raw leaf per acre without injury to the plants. I have 
also ascertained, from actual experiment, that the average quantity of fibre 
obtainable from full-grown leaves is little less than one-tenth of the weight 
of the leaves themselves; or, in other words, that the acre of ordinary flax 
land in its natural state would yield close upon twenty-four hundredweight 
of pure fibre per annum without any outlay whatsoever for cultivation. 
This fact alone shows the importance of endeavouring to turn the fibre 
to account. You have now before you the fibre separated from leaves of 
various lengths, as shown in the following table :— 
Number of Number of Weight > Length Hi = 
Specimen. Leaves. when cut. of Leaf, Clean F 
lb. oz 2 
1 je 2 hic w- "Bu " .—- 2 ‘and a fraetion 
2 ne 2 ^ BIA o m. 1j 
3 US 2 jt» BH .. 5. 1 
You will observe that the weight of fibre in each case bears a nearly 
average proportion to that of the leaf from which it was extracted; and as 
the leaves grew on various kinds of soil we may fairly assume that this 
proportion is not liable to much variation. Assuming, then, that the supply 
from natural sources would be sufficient to meet demand for some years 
to come, it still remains to be considered whether the fibre ean be economi- 
cally separated from the leaf, and whether, when separated, it ean be turned 
to profitable account. 
The first point is one which has long excited attention, and the General 
Government of the colony, some time ago, offered a considerable reward 
(£2,000, I believe) for the production of one hundred tons of fibre in a state 
to be merchantable in Europe. I am not aware that the reward has ever 
been claimed, and itis not my place here to inquire whether the conditions 
attached to it were calculated to produce the results aimed at. I cannot 
help thinking, however, that these results could have been equally well 
attained had the quantity required been limited to ten or twenty tons 
instead of one hundred tons, provided it were at the same time shown that 
an unlimited supply of the article produced could afterwards have been 
procured. 
Returning to the question whether the fibre can be economically extracted 
