VEGETABLE FIBERS. 573 



bulk of fiber, i)itchGd upou the load loosely just aa it CDisies. lu some 

 sections it cannot be sold at any price, and in such a case is otten burned 

 to get rid of it. 



There is necessity for greater care and siiill in the American produc- 

 tioii to obtain a iiner material, more strength by improved methods of 

 treatment, and more evenness in length. The Irish and Dutch sow thick 

 for fine fiber. They have a moist climate, too, which gives better fiber, 

 although in Northern ISTew York, and ISTew England, Michigan, Oregon, 

 &c., the latter especially, fine flax can be grown. Farther south, under 

 a hotter sun, the climate is drier, and therefore not so favorable for the 

 production of fine fiber. The principal reason for coarseness, however, 

 is the production for seed, as has been stated. It is sowed thin and not 

 cut until fully ripe*. The stalks are large and coarse, and the fiber good 

 for nothing but as a substitute for jute Ijutts in the manufacture of bag- 

 ging, or tow for paper stock. 



I am informed that flax was sent to market from Connecticut sixty 

 years ago that was strong, clean, and as good as any raised in the United 

 States at the present time. Very strong and flexible flax also came from 

 Northern New York and Vermont, but it was not clean. The meanest 

 flax of those days came from New Jersey, though the State is capable of 

 growing flax now equal to Archangel flax. What is termed North Kiver 

 flax at this day, found in the New York market, is strong, but poorly 

 cleaned. 



Different grades of flax are used by the various manufacturers, de- 

 pendent upon the kind of goods produced. For the finer classes of 

 goods foreign fiber is principally used, though the American is utilized 

 to a greater or less extent in all manufactures. Goods produced from 

 foreign flax are said to be in every way superior, and, of course, com- 

 mand the highest prices. A Massachusetts manufacturer of crashes and 

 similar grades of linen goods, using flax from Northern New York, 

 Canada, and Eussia, makes a difference of one-half cent in favor of 

 American flax if well dressed, because the fiber is better than the grade 

 of Eussian used. Another eastern manufactiurer considers best Amer- 

 ican flax about equal to the third crown Archangel flax, and states that 

 this grade is less called for when American is abundant and of reason- 

 able price. The Eussian flax possesses a great advantage over the 

 American, apart from its quality, in its regular and uniform preparation 

 for market. Tlie various grades are fixed by a government standard, 

 and before any fiber is sent abroad it must be examined and graded by 

 oflicials appointed for the purpose. Manufacturers, therefore, receive a 

 flax year after year of about uniform length and color, varying in strength 

 only as the crop varies from one season to another. From want of ex- 

 perience and united action on the part of our growers, as well as from 

 the uncertain element of labor, American flax is seldom prepared twice 

 alike, and the manufacturer cannot tell what he is buying without first 

 making tests with small samples. The difficulty is increased with the 

 number of sellers, as no two seem to seek the same standard. Concerted 

 action on the part of both buyers and sellers would tend to diminish the 

 difliculty, and with more certain preparation of domestic fiber will come 

 an increasing demand. 



In the manufacture of thread requiring the use of fine flax, the im- 

 ported is generally preferred and costs about one-third more than tlio 

 native. Some of the eastern spinners say the native does not operate 

 smoothly enough to make fine work, and the color is not desirable. The 

 bad color is easily accounted for through careless rotting. On the other 

 •hand for coarse uses, as in the maniifactiu'e of bagging, it is held that 



