fibres. 216 [April 1907. 



that the ground would be completely covered, and plants become stunted from 

 want of nourishment. If an additional two or three eet were left between the rows 

 it would allow for the working generally of the plantation. 



It must be borne in mind that there is a great bulk of material to be taken 

 from a plantation. The yield is said to be from 12 to 18 tons per acre, and to get this 

 away it would be necessary to have roadways, as in vineyards, say, every ten rows, 

 to gather up the bundles of leaves. 



The practice in New Zealand amongst the natives is to plant two or 

 three sets in a hole. By this means, no doubt, an earlier return is secured, but it is 

 questionable if the practice is advisable. When plants are somewhat difficult to get, 

 it would be preferable to put in single plants, as their growth is rapid under favour- 

 able conditions, and in a short time the ground would be fully occupied. The set or 

 sets are placed in a shallow hole, and the fibrous roots spread out when the earth is 

 well tramped down. The depth of planting should not be more than three to four 

 inches below the surface. The outside leaves should be cut back, but not the inner 

 ones. This will enable the plant to become firmly established, when it will make a 

 vigorous and healthy growth. 



The advantage of a little care in planting, where both lines are kept, would 

 considerably facilitate the after working. Phormium plants readily respond to 

 through cultivation, especially in the earlier stages of their growth. In the case 

 of planting trees, vines, &c, it is a great advantage to be able to cross-cultivate, and 

 thereby keep the land in proper tilth. The wisdom of this has been generally 

 recognised by orchardists and vignerons. 



TIME OP PLANTING. 



The most suitable season for planting is autumn, but when that is not 

 convenient early spring may be adopted. With autumn planting, the sets become 

 established by the heat retained in the soil, and will pass the winter over without 

 suffering. Such plants may be also said to save a season's growth, as they are able 

 to take advantage of the full spring season. But spring growth will answer equally 

 well so far as the establishment of the plant is concerned. The plant is an extremely 

 hardy one, and will adapt itself to conditions where other plants would perish. In 

 the establishment of an undertaking like this, it is advisable, where practicable, to 

 have all the soil thoroughly in order, and to plant out in early autumn. 



GATHERING THE LEAF. 



The plant consists of a number of shoots clustered together, each shoot 

 producing a quantity of leaves, which strike up from the centre. The outside leaves, 

 when not gathered, wither and die, and are of little value for fibre ; but, when 

 gathered annually, they are cut off near the bottom, leaving two or three centre 

 ones uncut. It is stated that those who adopt this system gather an anual crop from 

 the same plants, and the plant itself makes a much more rapid growth. This is 

 reasonable, as it is well known that any plant deprived of its foliage is checked in its 

 growth for some time. But this system is not universally adopted ; in some cases 

 the whole plant is cut off at one time, centre leaves and all. These are sorted, or 

 graded, at the mill before treatment. 



Where there is a plantation which has been carefully planted out, it is well 

 worth taking every care in preserving it ; and by cutting the outside leaves of each 

 shoot, and leaving the three centre ones, less check will be given to the growth, and 

 an annually gathering will be secured. The leaves should be cut off just below 

 where the green portion terminates, as the soft thick parts do not work up well with 

 the other portion of the leaf, and have to be recut at the mill before treatment. 

 These, when cut, are bound up into sheaves of a size convenient to handle, and are 

 Carted to the mill, where they are sorted out ready for treatment. 



