FLAX. 293 



portions of the flax-plant are to be made available as manure, I 

 shall presently show.* 



The cultivation of flax is very much on the increase in Ire 

 land. In 1841, the amount of crop, as ascertained, was twenty- 

 five thousand tons ; in 1843, it exceeded thirty-six thousand 

 tons ; and while the quantity produced is constantly on the in 

 crease, the quality of the article is decidedly, and very greatly, 

 improved. The flax grown in Belgium, from its fineness and 

 color, has been deemed much superior to any other. Much of 

 the flax now grown in Ireland, of which I saw samples at their 

 great cattle show, is probably surpassed by none. This im 

 provement has been effected, undoubtedly, in a considerable 

 degree, by the establishment of a society for the improvement of 

 the growth of flax in Ireland, composed of some of the first 

 men in Ireland, in point of intelligence, rank, wealth, and public 

 spirit, who have obtained and circulated the fullest information 

 in respect to the growth of flax, and the proper management of 

 the crop ; who have offered liberal premiums for the best sam 

 ples which should be produced, and for improved machines for 

 dressing and cleaning the crop ; and who have especially im 

 ported several skilful flax-growers and managers from Belgium, 

 in order to give direct and practical instructions to the Irish cul 

 tivators, as to the most improved modes of growing, cleaning, 

 and dressing the crop, prevalent in their country. No method for 

 the advancement of these objects could be more judicious. 



Having seen many of the plantations of flax in Ireland, and 

 believing that the crop may be of great value in the United States, 

 in connection with the proper application of the seed, I shall 

 give, in as condensed a form as I am able, the information which 

 I have received respecting it. I am quite aware how greatly the 



* &quot; This fibre, which constitutes the entire money value of the flax crop, is 

 produced during the life of the plant, by the elements of the atmosphere ; and the 

 materials taken from the manure and the soil are, in reality, employed by the 

 plant in organizing substances which do not make any return to the farmer, but 

 which are, on the contrary, under certain circumstances, considered to be posi 

 tively a disadvantage. It is, therefore, of importance, that it should be under- 

 Btood that, by a proper system, the growth of flax and similar fibre crops should 

 be destitute of all exhausting influence ; that the materials drawn from the soil 

 by such a crop should be found in the waste products of its manufacture, and 

 should be available by being returned to the soil, to restore it to its original con 

 dition of fertility.&quot; Professor Kane. 

 25* 



