572 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Jute, cocoa, and other fibers and manufactures of, imported and exported from 1870 to 1879 



inclusive. 



.IMPORTS. 



EXPORTS. 



19, 702 

 15,223 

 13,644 

 20, 869 

 33,842 

 22, 381 

 20,888 

 39, 218 

 19, 235 

 32, 709 



By reference to the table of flax imports it will be seen that there was 

 a considerable falling off in amount of flax imported in 1879 (year end- 

 ing June 30), compared with the previous year. Messrs. E. B. Storer 

 & Co. account for this from the fact that we were at that time in the 

 depth of depression in the lijien interest, and manufacturers only im- 

 ported enough raw material to keep the works from coming to a stand- 

 still. Foreign and domestic flax was lower than it has been known for 

 a quarter of a century, and Scotch spinners, in order to find an outlet 

 for their goods, sent large amounts by steamer for auction sale in our 

 markets. 



It is said there will be a large importation the present year, both on 

 account of the peculiar qualities of the foreign fibers and because of the 

 small supply and poor quality of American flax of the last season. 



QUALITY. 



The question of quality, especially in regard to flax, is one of the most 

 important considerations in the fiber industry. The ability to produce 

 fiber to any required amount within our own borders is of less moment 

 than the ability to produce a quality of fiber that will compete with that 

 produced in the flax-growing countries of Europe. It is grown to an 

 exceedingly limited extent in this country fyrfine fiber, though there are 

 large areas under cultivation in the Middle and Western States chiefly 

 for the seed. For this purpose it is grown until thoroughly ripened, cut 

 with a reaping-macliine, thrashed upon a common wheat-thrasher — there 

 being nothing yet invented to keep it straight — and the straw sold by 

 the load at the nearest mill. It is transported like hay, in a tangled. 



