Fibres. 



218 



[[April 1907. 



Paretaniwha ( Yellow Hill Flax).— Leaves erect, slightly drooping iat the tip, 

 yellowish-green, generally with red or orange margins, slightly glaucons below, point 

 acute : flower-stalk small, 4 feet to 8 feet high, and \ inch to 1 inch in diameter ; pod, 

 short, erect ; fibre very good, soft and glossy. Plant seldom more than 5 feet or 

 6 feet in height ; grows generally on clay hills. 



Tihore.— Leaves stiff, erect, narrow, never drooping at the tip, olive-green, 

 Glaucous below; points very acute, or cuspidate, pink at the butt; flower-stalk, 

 9 teet to 10 feet in height, and 1 inch in diameter ; pod, erect or inclined. Seldom 

 flowers, and still more rarely seeds. Plants seldom over 6 feet in height. Grows 

 in rich, dry, alluvial land ; never in swampy places. I have never seen it 

 except where planted by the Maoris. I have here applied the name to that 

 variety called " Tihore " by the Maoris throughout the Waikato, and which is 

 probably identical with the "Oue" and " Tapato," It is best distinguished by its 

 narrow, tapering, sharp-pointed leaves and erect, close habit. It grows so thickly 

 together that I obtained 186 sets for planting from two bushes." 



Phormium tenax that grows on high or low dry ground, though smaller is in 

 general finer and more easily stripped than that found in swamps. Colonial rope-spin- 

 ners prefer it, and are willing to give a higher price for it on this account." The above 

 descriptions are somewhat difficult to follow, as far as identification is concerned. 

 Unfortunately, no care has been taken to retain the namesof the varieties introduced 

 here. They have been planted indiscriminately, as they are for science effect only. 



PROFITABLE NATURE OP THE INDUSTRY. 



The Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. George Swinburne, M.L.A., when 

 visiting New Zealand recently, gave this matter attention. He gives an instance 

 of one land proprietor receiving £9 per acre as royalty for the privilege of cutting 

 leaves from his land. One instance is given in Sir James Hector's publication of 

 ]2s. per ton being paid as royalty for green leaves, so that, at the rate of 12s. per 

 jon, and taking the yield at 15 tons per acre, this would give a return of £9. 



These figures, possibly, are exceptional. Many instances are recorded of 

 good returns being obtained from the yield of leaves without any effort on the 

 part of the proprietor, and, with proper care in selecting the best varieties in 

 planting, equal or better results could be obtained here. 



The value of this industry may be estimated by the latest returns published 

 of the imports of fibre and cordage in Victoria : — 



Fibre, from all sources ... ... ... £79,266 



Cordage, binder twine, &c. ... ... ... 41,941 



Total ... £121,207 



The exports of Phormium tenax from New Zealand totalled £730,803, of 

 which the imports to Victoria of fibre amounted to £25,390, and of cordage and 

 twine to £5,929. The average price of fibre exported from New Zealand during 

 1905 was £25 17s. 6d. per ton. 



CONCLUSION. 



In advocating the cultivation of this valuable fibre-producing plant, 1 feel 

 confident that there is a great future for it, as the growing demand for this class 

 of fibre is considerable. Binder twine alone would justify it being taken up in 

 his State. But every care should be exercised in entering upon this industry, and 

 none but the right class of plants secured, as a mistake in this respect would 

 seriously retard its development. 



Large tracts of suitable land are available for this purpose, and, beyond 

 preparing, fencing, and planting, nothing further is needed, except an occasional 

 stirring of the soil. Many of our capitalists, no doubt, would be prepared to take 

 this matter up, if encouraged by some special condition by way of securing land 

 for the purpose. The inquiries for information concerning this matter lead me 

 to believe that something will be done in the way of planting before long, and it 

 would be a mistake to neglect the best advice and assistance available.— The 

 Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Victoria. 



