[Crown Copyright Reserved, 
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, 
~ No. 9.] (1918. 
LII.—MINOR AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 
Ill, FLAX (FIBRE AND SEED), 
W. DALLIMORE. 
For several centuries the flax plant, Linum usttatessimum, L., has 
been looked upon as one of the regular minor agricultural crops of 
certain parts of Great Britain, and, more particularly, of Ireland, _ 
where climatic conditions and marketing facilities are alike favour- 
able. But the importance of the crop, more especially since the 
advent of machine-made cotton fabrics, and the introduction of 
cheap and rapid transport arrangements with other flax-producing 
countries, has been subject to considerable fluctuations ; periods of 
activity and good prices being succeeded by years of unsatisfactory 
monetary returns, resulting in a diminished acreage; followed again 
by a cycle of years of increased prosperity and extended cultivation. 
The area under cultivation in Ireland has varied considerably 
during the last 15 years, but has usually been between 34,000 and 
50,000 acres. The United Kingdom on the other hand has shown 
a steady decline, and it is doubtful whether as many as 100 acres 
have been placed under flax during the last three years. ; 
There are, however, signs that interest is reasserting itself in the 
subject. Prices of imported fibre have advanced considerably 
during late years ; some of the foreign flax-producing countries are 
manufacturing more of their own fibre than hitherto ; agricultura 
matters are engaging the critical attention of Parliament = the 
Development Commissioners have decided that the flax industry is 
worthy of encouragement in Great Britain, and. assistance has been 
authorised to help forward certain experimental work, whilst the 
Department of Agriculture for Ireland are encouraging the cultiva- 
tion of flax by experimental work, instruction, and a system of 
(32221—6a.) Wt, 212—780, 1125, 12/18. D&S, 
