72
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

been more exhibitors. The absence of machinery for
preparing and weaving, or working models of the
same, is also to be regretted. Where there is so
much that is excellent and commendable, it is matter
for regret that our manufacturers and machine-makers
have not evinced a desire to make the display of our
local products and the details of their manipulation
complete. As regards the specimens shown, how-
ever, there can be no question as to their excellence.
The case illustrating our linen manufactures sent
by the Messrs. Baxter Brothers and Co., is a model
of completeness, and it is needless to say that the
specimens it contains are very fine. The case has
been arranged to show the various stages of manu-
facture, from the plant to the cloth. The specimen
of flax plant shown is of home growth. At one time
lint was grown pretty extensively in this country,
but in these days of improving farmers it is only in
exceptional cases that it is cultivated, and then mainly
for the seed. It is set down as an "exhaustive crop,"
and was so considered by the agriculturists of ancient
Rome. Virgil in his Bucolics says, "A crop of flax
burns the soil." This idea has led to the abandon-
ment of its cultivation in Britain. It is questionable,
however, if farmers do not stand in their own light
in discarding altogether the cultivation of a plant so
valuable alike for its fibre and its seed. Now that
stock-rearing is more profitable than the cultivation
of cereals, farmers might do worse than rear their
own linseed for feeding purposes. They would find
a ready market for the better qualities of fibre, while
the qualities unsuitable for manufacturing purposes
would be sought after by paper makers. This by the
way. A specimen of the hemp plant will also be seen
in the case, with seed-pods attached; and there are
two bottles containing flax and hemp seeds. Then
follow specimens of Russian hemp, undressed and
dressed; flax, both home and foreign, in like condi-
tions. The next stage is the prepared flax sliver and
yarn. Specimens of weft and warp yarn, both hemp
and flax, follow. Among them, it may be noticed, is
a specimen of 45 lea-line (hand-spun), spun by an old
lady, and suggestive of the rock and spindle of the days
of our grandmothers. The other side of the case is
devoted to manufactured goods, and includes speci-
mens from coarse hemp coal sacking to the finest
linen. The canvas, sheeting, furniture stripe, and
towelling are specially worthy of notice.

The following is a list of the articles in the case:---
The south side of case (commencing at west end) contains,
1, a piece of home-grown flax, as pulled from the ground, with
seed pods attached;. 2, a piece of Russian hemp, as pulled from
the ground, with seed pods attached; 3, bottle of hemp seed;
4, bottle of flax seed; 5, Russian hemp (undressed); 6, do.,
(dressed); 7, foreign flax (undressed); 8, do. (dressed); 9,
home-grown flax (undressed); 10, do. (dressed); 11, flax
(dressed) next process; 12, prepared flax sliver; 13, flax rove
(large bobbin); 14, do. yarn (small bobbin); 15, hemp line
weft yarn; 16, hemp line warp yarn; 17, canvas weft yarn;
18, do. warp yarn; 19, 2\u00bc lbs. flax (dry spun) yarn; 20, 12 lea-
line (wet spun) yarn; 21, 45 do. (hand-spun by an old lady)
yarn; 22, 50 do. (wet spun) yarn; 23, 16 do. (wet spun) yarn
(creamed); 24, 50 do. (wet spun) yarn (creamed); 25, 16 do.
(wet spun) yarn (bleached); 26, 50 do. (wet spun) yarn
(bleached); 27, a piece of beech wood, from which weft pirns
are made; 28, same, next process; 29, finished pirn; 30,
shaving off pirn block.

The north side of case (commencing at east end) contains,--
31, hemp coal sacking; 32, long hemp sacking; 33, hammocking;
34, bleached flax and hemp canvas; 35, Royal Navy canvas;
36, checked horse cover; 37, checked horse cover; 38, flax
sheeting; 39, flax padding; 40, flax duck; 41, furniture stripe;
42, furniture stripe; 43, towelling (twilled); 44, towelling
(liaper); 45, towelling (diaper); 46, towelling (diaper); 47,
fine

The cases presented by the Messrs. Cox Brothers
illustrate the younger but no less important branch
of our local manufactures. There are two cases filled
entirely with specimens of jute goods in various
stages of manufacture. Fifty years ago jute was
entirely unknown in this country, except in the form
of gunny bags, used in the importation of sugar, rice,
and other Indian products. To the late Mr. Neish is
due the credit of first bringing it under the notice of
our local manufacturers. The history of its introduc-
tion is well known. It had to make its way slowly at
first, in face of strong opposition. Manufacturers
had a prejudice against it, and prophesied nothing
but failure. Aversion and prejudice, however, have
long since disappeared. Its capabilities for em-
ployment in such fabrics as sacking, matting, and
carpeting are now established, and a limit can hardly
be set to the development of the trade. The applica-
bility of jute to papermaking has likewise been
demonstrated, and the direct trade between Calcutta
and Dundee will doubtless go on increasing from
year to year. The cases exhibited by the Messrs.
Cox Brothers are models of completeness. On look-
ing at them one can hardly realise that the once
despised Indian weed could be made available for so
many purposes, alike useful and ornamental. The
stalks of jute at the east end of the case certainly
look an unpromising subject to deal with. Their
dark woody-like bark is about the last thing one
would look to as the original basis of the beautiful
carpets at the other end of the case, or those
mysterious contrivances above which are hardly
distinguishable from some of the more pronounced
head-gears to which many of the female persuasion
take so kindly. The stalks of jute are shown as cut
down in the field. A model bale illustrates the mode
in which the fibre is packed, and specimens are shown
of the fibre in its various stages. Then follow
specimens of yarns and cords, adapted for various
purposes. The case devoted to manufactured goods
illustrates in a very striking manner the wonderful
adaptability of the fibre for purposes the most
dissimilar. Specimens of cloth are shown, from coarse
nail bagging to fine towelling, and from different
coloured paddings and pocketings for tailoring pur-
poses to crumbcloths and carpets, which, so far as
appearance goes, both for design and colour, compare
not unfavourably with those made from wool. As to
the chignons, the lady visitors will be able to judge
for themselves whether they will stand comparison
with the more expensive head-gears manipulated out
of the locks of needy sisters by skilful barbers and
ladies' maids. The following is a detailed list of the
contents of the two cases: -

Stalks of jute cut from the fields where grown. Miniature bale,
showing style of packing as imported. Jute strick; cut jute;
jute butts or cuttings; teased jute cuttings; hackled jute;
teased jute tow, various qualities, selected from a bale.
Jute slivers after being carded; jute rove bobbins-ready
for spinning frame.

3 lb. jute line yarn, 4 lb. do., 4 lb. 2-ply do.-from the finest
long jute hackled; ; 3 lb. F jute tow yarn, 4 lb. do., 8 lb. do.,
16 lb. do., 40 lb. do. from the finest qualities; 7 lb. B jute tow
yarn, 14 lb. do.-from the fine qualities; 8 lb. M do., 20 lb. do.,
100 lb. do.-from the medium qualities; 10 lb. D jute tow yarn,
20 lb. do., 30 lb. do. from the dark stricks; 16 lb. DT jute
tow yarn, 150 lb. do. from common stricks; 20 lb. sacking tow
yarn, 40 lb. do., 60 lb. do. from waste and hard ends.

100, 140, 180, and 300 lb. rove, 280 and 800 lb. twists-used
for various purposes, such as hearth-rug making, &c.
Jute cords, Jute twines (red, blue, and marled)-for parcel
tying; jute ropes for clothes lines, &c.
Jute yarns (dyed)-for carpet purposes; jute roves (do.)-
for ditto.

The manufactured goods in the second case comprise, -
Hessians, different qualities, for bags, bale wrappers, &c.
Striped beddings, twilled striped bedding, bed sacking, and
ticks-for mattresses and bedding purposes.
Meal bagging, twilled striped meal bagging-sent to the
United States for grain, meal, and flour bags.
Brown and black paddings, brown and black pocketings-for
tailoring purposes.
Bleached osnaburgs-for flour and sugar bags; checked
hessians for horse cloths; diaper and serge twill-for towelling