H.—34.

New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles, Ltd. In view of the importance of this industry to the flax-milling industry, very close contact has been maintained with the above company's works at Foxton. An appreciation of the problems involved in manufacturing fibres is a definite help in any endeavour to produce more suitable raw materials. Chemical Examination of Phormium at the Dominion Laboratory. A beginning was made during the year with the chemical investigation of Phormium fibre. Analyses have been made of the whole leaf (butt and blade) and of the fibre as well as of the isolated cellulose. Several samples of leaf of one variety of various ages are being examined to ascertain the degree of lignification with age. It is proposed to determine the physical properties of different varieties, including moisture content under varying conditions of humidity, and also the physical and chemical constants of the isolated cellulose, which will indicate the degree to which the cellulose has been degraded. Should any significant differences in the purity of the cellulose in Phormium varieties be disclosed, it would be of importance from the standpoint of selection. It might also explain variations in the resistance of the hemp to water. General. In connection with chemical investigations on Phormium being conducted at the Dominion Laboratory, samples of leaves of different ages and varieties have been collected and despatched to Wellington at intervals. Inspections and tests have been carried out on new processes for fibreextraction. A notable event to the fibre industry was the visit early in 1936 of an overseas expert, who has has a wide experience of textile-manufacture and of the fibre-producing countries throughout the world. Not only are the views of such a visitor on our own aims and methods extremely valuable, but through him it has also been possible to establish valuable overseas points of contact. Thanks are due again this year to various flax-millers who have always co-operated heartily in our work, and to the donors of plants of special varieties. MINERAL CONTENT OF PASTURES. (EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINERAL CONTENT OF PASTURES INVESTIGATION AT THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE, PERIOD 1935-36.) (By T. Riog, Officer-in-Charge.) During the past year the investigation of sheep-ailment at Glenhope, Nelson, and of lamb-ailment in Southland, has been continued. Dr. H. 0. Askew has been in charge of the field work at Glenhope, and .Dr. J. K. Dixon has been responsible for the conduct of the drench experiments at Morton Mains, Southland. Miss E. B. Kidson, M.Sc, has made an examination of the cobalt content of drench materials used in previous years in the experiments at Glenhope and at Morton Mains. In addition, a survey of the cobalt content of New Zealand soil types, particularly those affected with bushsickness or stock-ailment, has been commenced. The field experiments have been marked by outstanding results both at Glenhope and at Morton Mains, in that cobalt chloride at the rate of 1 mg. cobalt (Co) per day has proved completely successful in preventing the appearance of ailment and in curing affected sheep. Glenhope Investigations. In previous reports mention has been made of the great value of Nelson soil in overcoming bush sickness at Glenhope. It has been shown that a drench of Nelson soil suspension in water was completely effective over a period of two years in preventing the incidence of Glenhope bush sickness. Furthermore, an acid extract of the Nelson soil containing but a small quantity of iron was shown to be as effective in the prevention of ailment as the soil suspension. The result of this experiment gave confirmatory evidence that in the case of Glenhope bush sickness factors other than iron operate in overcoming the ailment. The publication by Australian workers of the results of their experiments in which cobalt proved of great value in overcoming " coast " disease in South Australia and enzootic marasmus in Western Australia, suggested the advisability of definitely testing the value of cobalt both at Glenhope and at Morton Mains, in the prevention and cure of the sheep-ailments. It was known that the Nelson soil which had proved so successful in previous years contained both cobalt and nickel in good supply, suggesting thereby that the presence of one or both of these minor elements might be responsible for the good effects which had been secured from the use of Nelson soil. Drench Experiments. Three groups of sheep affected more or less seriously with bush sickness were therefore arranged so that each group was similar in average live-weight and in the number of sheep suffering acutely from ailment. One group served as a control, receiving no drench treatment. A second group received a nickel salt supplying 8 mg. of nickel (Ni) per week. The third group received a drench of cobalt chloride, each sheep receiving the equivalent of 8 mg. of cobalt (Co) per week. In Table I are presented the average live-weights in pounds per sheep for the three groups covering the whole period of the test.

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