576 REPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



simply dew-retted, as it answers equally well for cordage, &c., as the 

 water-retted, with the advantage of saving the estra trouble- and ex- 

 pense of the last-named process. The fine Italian hemp is used princi- 

 pally for spinning into yarns, carpet, warps, lino twines, &c., and now 

 that American hemp is begiuuiug to be in demand for spiDning pur- 

 poses a carefully water-retted article of home production will come into 

 competition with it. To compete successfully with it, however, farmers 

 will have to learn something of foreign methods of cultivation and treat- 

 ment of the fiber ; in other Avords, they will be called upon to compete 

 with foreign skill and experience. 



The same may be said of llax-culture ; in fact it is the principal draw- 

 back to successful cultivation. It is in one sense a trade that is to be 

 thoroughly learned and followed after it is acquired, and it is only by 

 long practice and experience that foreign liax-growers are enabled to 

 produce a uniform fiber upon v/hich reliance can be placed. It is too 

 much the practice of American farmers to dive into the latest sensation 

 hap-hazard, trusting to luck and good prices— ready to leave it as 

 quickly for the next golden promise, be it beet-sugar culture or wool- 

 growing. It is not to be understood that the farmer must grow flax or 

 hemp, and these products only, but he must stick to the cultivation of 

 a certain amount — if he wishes to grow it at all — year by year gaining 

 new experience and skill, which will insure better prices as he produces 

 a better article, enabling him finally to comi)ete with European culti- 

 vators, chmatic conditions being equal. Thus a steady supply will be 

 createtl, which, in the long run, will be productive of an established in- 

 dustry and i^rove a source of wealth to the country. The Russian flax 

 vrill always hold a slight advantage through its grades being fixed by 

 government standards. A uniform American standard could easily be 

 established, however, if those interested in the home flax trade would 

 take united action in the matter. In all probability increased produc- 

 tion would make it a necessity. 



The speciM hinderances to the flax industry in this country are thus ■ 

 summed up by a manufacturer in the interior of New York State : 



Low duties on the imported articles ; tlie extensive cultivation of flax iu Canada ; 

 tlio hap-hazard and -R-astel'iil manner of cultivation and handling here ; not being 

 able to compete with foreignei-s in cheapness of labor, nor Ln quality and value of the 

 article. In fact tho price has been so low for the past five years, and there is $o much 

 labor and expense attending it, that it has not paid the grower his expenses. 



At first glance it would appear from the above that flax-culture in 

 this country was in a truly lamentable condition, and that there was 

 nothing left for American farmers to do but to accept the inevitable and 

 let flax severely alone. A little tariff legislation in favor of home pro- 

 duction might better things somewhat, though it would be foUy to put 

 on the screws to any great extent before there was a prospect of a home 

 supply. The "hap-hazard and wasteful manner of cultivation " com- 

 plaiue:! of must be abandoned for better methods, thereby raising the 

 " quahty and value of the article," and paviug the way for competition 

 with other countries. With new and improved machinery the labor and 

 expense of preparation may be lessened, and, taken altogether, there is 

 certainly a bright side to the picture. A lesson may also be learned 

 from a perusal of the following extract from Mr. Proctor's letter, to which 

 reference has akeady been made. lie says : 



I believe there is a great future for tho hemp industry in Kentucky, and the de- 

 mand for Kentucky hemp will steadily increase until it is as great or greater than in 

 past years ; but the demand will require hemp more carefully prepared. Formerly 

 the demand Avas for cordage and bagging. In the future, in addition to the require- 



