PHORMIUM OR NEW ZEALAND FLAX 89 
established. In moist situations the young plants will 
yield a regular supply of leaves for cutting in about four 
or five years. Partly owing to the length of time required 
to produce the adult plant, and partly because there has 
been a plentiful supply of the flax growing wild, the plant 
has not been more extensively cultivated. Hitherto the 
supply of leaves for the mills has been derived almost 
entirely from natural fields. 
Of late years the demand for the fibre and hence the 
price obtained has risen to such an extent that planting 
operations on a large scale are now being undertaken in 
several districts. No doubt if these prove successful the 
cultivation of Phormium will become an extensive industry. 
Preparation. After being cut the flax is taken to the 
mills, where the leaves are first stripped by revolving 
rollers fitted with projecting beaters. These are so 
arranged that the skin and loose spongy tissue are crushed 
against a plate, in such a way as to let the fibre pass 
through uninjured. After this it is well washed and 
spread out to dry and bleach, and finally scutched and 
packed in bales for market. The best fibre for rope- 
making is obtained from leaves about fifteen months old ; 
for the manufacture of finer fibres that of younger leaves is 
preferred. 
Phormium is largely used in all the colonies for the 
manufacture of ropes and twine, and considerable quantities 
are exported to England and the United States for the 
same purpose. Possessing so many excellent qualities the 
Phormium is one of the most valuable of the native plants, 
and bids fair to hold a permanent place among the best 
materials for cordage which have yet been discovered. 
