FLAX. 103 



If flax is not largely produced there, it is extensively manufactured, and the 

 initiatory processes of its manufacture in the rural districts have been of immense 

 value in the economy of British industry in paiticular localities. Observers 

 have noted the renovation, through the potent influence of flax industry, of 

 parishes filled with wretched town hovels, virulent with typhus fever, fester- 

 ing Avith indecency and crime, and consumed with pauperism. Each family 

 became able to occuj)y a commodious cottage, disease was banished, pauperism 

 subsided, illegitimacy became unknown, schools flourished, industry prevailed, 

 and the condition of residents was immeasurably bettered, through the social 

 and physical amelioration from the profits of flax-growing and preparation of 

 fibre. 



It afforded profitable labor to children, women, and aged and feeble persons, 

 whose wages increased the common fund instead of jircying upon the earnings 

 of able-bodied members of the family, and who Avould otherwise have been 

 compelled to eat the bread of idleness and charity. Persons accustomed to 

 depend fur supplies upon the "union houses," were enabled to live comfortably 

 on their own industry, and to accumulate respectable savings. 



These examples have not made England proper a great flax-growing region, 

 mainly because Enghsh proprietors, who rent to farmers, have entertained the 

 idea that the crop is an exhaustive one. This impression is now wearing away, 

 and the objection will henceforth be comparatively inoperative. 



The same necessity docs not exist in the United States for employment 

 suited to children and infirm persons who are compelled to labor. Labor of all 

 kinds is here in demand beyond the ability of the country to supply. Abundant 

 testimony exists showing that the crop has always been profitable. It is now 

 far more profitable. The advance in seed from one dollar to three per bushel, 

 and a general demand for fibre that was formerly thrown away in a large 

 section of the country, has given an impetus to production, and an enhance- 

 ment of profit gratifying to the political economist, who desires the success of 

 present efforts to make this a great staple, feeding an extensive manufacture. 



Among instances of successful culture that may be referred to, is one in 

 Henry county, Illinois, where, upon two acres of prairie, well ploughed, and 

 sowed with one bushel of seed, thirty-five bushels of clean seed and two tons 

 of straw were produced, the straw yielding eight dollars per ton. It was cut 

 by a machine, and the seed separated by the trampling of horses. 



In Boone county, Illinois, three and a half acres yielded thirty-five bushels 

 of seed, and five tons of straw, at a cost of $47 ; proceeds of seed, $96 25 ; of 

 straw, S50— a total of S146 25. Net profit, $99 25, or $28 35 per acre. 



These specimens of prairie culture, with no more expenditure of labor than 

 in cultivating and marketing wheat, producing net returns equal to two-thirds 

 of the gross receipts, are certainly more encouraging than the yield of fifteen 

 bushels of wheat costing at least two-thirds of its highest returns. That care- 

 ful culture and proximity to manufactories Avill secure better results is shown 

 from an experiment in AVorcester county, Massachusetts, where 136 square 

 rods, or a trifle more than five-sixths of an acre of old, sandy pasture, with the 

 aid of 130 pounds of guano and 13 loads of barn-yard manure, gave a total pro- 

 duct of SI 48 20, at an expense of S54 58— a profit of 893 62. This is almost 

 identical in gross and net returns with the three and a half acres of prairie, and 

 shows that laborious culture and adequate fertilization arc sufficient compensa- 

 tions for superior fertility. 



It would seem, then, that at present prices flax should be considered largely 

 remunerative. The great drawback now, as heretofoie, is the amount of labor 

 required in the preparation of the fibre. For the progress made in processes of 

 manufacture and improvement of flax machinery the reader is referred to the 

 report of the flax commission, soon to be published. It is certain that flax 

 must henceforth be cut instead of pulled, either by the reaper, and carefully 



