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Much depends on the variety planted. The late Baron 

 von Mueller describes both hill and swamp varieties. Sir 

 John Hector mentions in the publication previously referred 

 to, 50 varieties which are recognised by the natives, but it is 

 questionable whether many of these are not the same, or at 

 least " sports " or hybrids, as must be the case when plants are 

 grown together, and spring up from seed dropped. There 

 is also in the work referred to an account of twenty-five acres 

 beiug planted by the "Patea Flax Company," in which the 

 number of varieties selected consisted of six, described as 

 follows : — 



Oue ... ... Red edge. 



Atiraukawa ... Light bronze edge. 



Korako ... Black edged, light colour in leaf. 



Huhiroa ... Black narrow edge. 



Atewheke ... Scarlet edge. 



Tihore ... ... Orange edge and keel. 



Unfortunately, whilst giving the names of varieties, they 

 do not describe the class of land planted. To plant the hill 

 varieties in low-lying land, or swamp varieties on the hills 

 would be a mistake. 



Varieties should be selected to suit the soil and other 

 conditions. My experience leads me to say that on the light- 

 red chocolate soil in our highlands, where the rainfall is good, 

 any of the hill varieties will make a growth equal to any 

 described. 



The same applies to light sandy or loamy soil where there 

 is sufficient moisture with drainage. The so-called swamp 

 varieties will do well in a situation such as the banks of a 

 running stream, or where the land is occasionally flooded, but 

 will not thrive in low, stagnant pools. The best growth is 

 made in reclaimed swamps, or where the swamp has been 

 partly drained to a depth of 1 foot or so. 



It can not be too strongly impressed on the minds of those 

 about to plant that the soil and the variety must be considered. 

 There should be no difficulty in getting the soil to suit the 

 class of plants available. There are large tracts of country 

 along the Coast portion of it covered with cut grass, and 

 useless for the purpose. Much of this land, with proper treat- 

 ment, will produce flax in abundance. This was recommended 

 by the late Baron von Mueller over 40 years ago, when dis- 

 tributing plants, &c, from the Botanical Gardens. 



Phormium tenax is one of the most hardy plants intro- 

 duced, and there is no difficulty in finding suitable soil in most 

 parts of the state. 



