38o 



CHAP. IIL 



Brief Notices refpeiling the Encouragement of fpecific Manufailuret. 



Sect. i. 



Of the Linen and Hempen ManufaEiures. 



To fet induflry in motion, three things are requifite, — materials, to 



work upon tools to work with, and the wages or recompence 



for which the work is done. To the certain attainment of the lat- 

 ter, a regular market is neceflary. The encouragement of any manu- 

 facture confifts in the providing for the attainment and fecurity of 

 thefe three objefls united. 



With refpeft to the linen manufafture, the prinium of which is, or may 

 be produced, at home, by encouraging the farmer to grow flax, in every 

 part of the kingdom ; but alfo to fecure, if poflible, an abundant and 

 unfailing fupply of flax-feed, within the country itfelf, independent of 

 foreign aid. At prefent, though we grow the primum of the manufac- 

 ture ourfelves, we chiefly depend on jimerica, for a fupply of flax-feed ; 

 and in cafe of any rupture with that country, at a future day, the con- 

 fequences to Ireland, in the total ruin of her ftaple manufaflure, would 

 be fearful indeed.* 



It 



* The price of flax -feed has varied, from three to feven guineas per barrel. 



