VEGETABLE FIBERS. 579 



at a very low rate of duty, have driven bagging flax to the wall. It is 

 estimated that there were about 33,000,000 yards of ba-rging used to 

 cover tbe cotton cro]) of 1879. Of this quantity about 28,000,000 yards 

 were made of jute butts and rejections, and tbe remainipg 5,000,000 of 

 flax straw, principally in the Western States. 



It is impossible to estimate the amount of American dressed flax con- 

 sumed at tbe present time. The replies to the circular upon this 

 question were not full enough to venture even a rough estimate. It is a 

 ridiculously small amount at best, too small for a country boasting feuch 

 diversity of soil and climate, and a farming element characterized by 

 its intelligence and go-ahead energy. The quality of the last crop was 

 considerably below the average, and the yield was likewise small. The 

 quality of Irish flax has also been poorer, and it has advanced so rap- 

 idly in i)rice that we have had to import more than ever of Russian, 

 Belgian, and Dutch flax. It is stated that the Russian exportation of 

 flax in various forms has averaged 80,000 tons for a series of years. 

 Flax manufacture is increasing in this country, several new mills hav- 

 ing recently been started in Massachusetts, and, with the revival of 

 business, others will doubtless spring up and there will be a demand 

 for all the flax that can be produced if it comes up to the requiied 

 standard. 



A prominent Boston manufacturer, since receiving the circular sent 

 out by the department, has furnished the American Cultivator an inter- 

 esting article showing the importance of this industry in American agri- 

 culture. The writer says in closing: 



At one time, while Great Britain and Ireland had $40,000,000 and 1,000,000 sspindles 

 employed in tiax-spinning, tbe United States had less than $1,000,000 investcd'^ in the 

 industry. Almost every farmer can grow and manufactnxe a small crop of flax toad- 

 vantage. The last census shows that 1,730,000 bushels of flax-seed were raised, an 

 insignificant quantity compared with the importance of the article. This would be 

 enough to support three linen factories of about 20,000 spindles each. 



It is well known that American cordage is made mostly of Russian hemp,* and the 

 government manufactures its own cordage for the rigging of its navy, also using Rua- 

 eian hemp. Looking to our own interests, wouldn't it be to our advantage to make 

 our own cordage from American flax or hemp for about half the same money ? Flax 

 is more quiet in the market now, but it is believed that the demand for it is goin'' to 

 be much larger than it has been in past years. With the introduction of improved 

 flax machinery; the yearly product should now be mUlions of bushels, producing fiber 

 enough to make this country independent of the foreign product. The average" prod- 

 uct of seed is between 6 and 7 bushels per acre, with 600 to 900 pounds of straw. 

 Compared with grain crops flax, in many localities, is a much better crop for farmers. 

 The industry is destined to become an important hranch of agricultural labor in 

 thi» country, especially tliroughout the Northwest. 



As an illustration of the extent to which hemp is used, according to 

 the statistics of Massachusetts, in 1875 the stock used by linen and 

 cordage manufacturers in that State was 1,912 tons of flax, costing $300 

 per ton, and 14,065 tons of American hemp, costing $160 per ton. 



In a recent communication on the subject of Kentucky hemp, Mr. J, 

 E. Proctor, of that State, says : 



The manufacture of cordage from hemp began in Kentucky as early as 1795, and of 

 lieuip bagging for cotton balea in 1801 or 180'.>, and the increase in tlie manufacture of 

 theijo articles was very great. In 1840 out of 388 establishments in the United States 

 engaged in the manufacture of cordage, 111 were located in Kentur^ky. In 1850 the 

 establialuiu'uts in Kentucky had increased to 159, producing $2,311,199 worth of ba"-- 

 ging and cordage. In 1870 the manufacture had so declined that only 9 eatablisS- 

 )nents were rctm-ued on cordage, producing $178,182 worth of material, and 11 estab- 

 lishments engaged in the manufacture of bagging, using 6,293 tons of Ameiican 

 hemp. 



" The writer makes a slight error in this statement, as but little Kussiau homp hcwii 

 been imported in late years, the American product being cheaper. 



