242 THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



The cheapness of flax is owing to the fact that the emperor and the nobles possess all the 

 serfs, and have thus an abundance of cheap hand labor. The land is of little value, and the 

 peasants have little to occupy themselves with in the long winters with the exception of 

 dressing flax. 



Flax, in common with all other productions of the country, is classed according to its quality. 

 This is effected as follows : When the flax arrives at Riga or St. Petersburg, it is stored in 

 depots specially designated for the purpose. Here inspectors, appointed by government, are 

 charged with the duty of classifying it. All marks and designations are first obliterated ; the 

 bundles are then opened, and all which is not of the first quality is taken out and placed by 

 itself. This second lot is again examined, and again subdivided according to its quality. A 

 commission appointed by the buyers watch over the inspectors, and no sample of flax is ex- 

 amined unless one or more of the commission is present. When the classification is effected, 

 each parcel receives its distinctive mark. The expense of these regulations, which is incon- 

 siderable, is borne by the proprietors of the flax. This plan offers all satisfactory guaran- 

 tees to the purchasers, and the owners are prevented taking any unfair advantage. 



The export of flax and hemp from Russia has greatly increased within the last twenty 

 years, and is progressing. The largest proportion exported finds a market in England. Tak- 

 ing the trade of fourteen years, from 1840 to 1853 inclusive, it appears that during the first 

 seven years of this period, Great Britain was indebted to Russia for 72 per cent, of all her hemp 

 importations ; and during the last seven years for about 62 per cent, of flax. About two- 

 thirds of all the quantity imported is Russian. From tables of European commerce recently 

 published, it appears that the 28,000,000 of British people annually export produce to the 

 value of about 90,000,000 sterling the 36,000,000 of France export to the value of about 

 50,000,000 and the 67,000,000 of European Russia export to the value of about 

 14,000,000. Russia exports raw produce exclusively, consisting chiefly of grain, tallow, 

 flax, linseed, hemp, wool, timber, and bristles ; the three items first named commonly exceed- 

 ing in value all the rest. , 



The following statistics of the flax and hemp exportations of Russia, furnish some idea 

 of the extent of the production of these substances in that cotintry : 



The yearly average importations of flax, hemp, and tow into Great Britain from Russia, for 

 the ten years ending 1851, was 160,000,000 pounds. The other countries of Europe import from 

 Russia as follows : France, in 1838, imported of flax and hemp, 17,000 pounds , in 1846, her 

 imports amounted to over 15,000,000 pounds," and, in 1849, to 20,403,466 pounds. Belgium, 

 which in 1838 imported only 4400 pounds of flax, imported upwards of 4,000,000 pounds in 1846. 



The Russian export of flaxseed averages annually about 9,000,000 English bushels. 



At the exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, at the New York Crystal Palace, in 1853, a 

 new variety of flax and flaxseed from Russia was exhibited by Mr. Leon Falkersaborf, mem- 

 ber of the Agricultural Societies of St. Petersburg, Moskowa, etc., etc. It was described as 

 a new variety of flax, sown as a winter's crop, and superior to the spring-sown seed. The 

 samples of the flax fibre produced from this seed, which were exhibited in connection with it, 

 were the most perfect as regards strength, lustre, and lifelike appearance, of any on exhibi- 

 tion, and were only surpassed in fineness by one extraordinary premium sample exhibited 

 from Ireland. Samples of this flaxseed were ordered by Mr. Johnson, the Secretary of the 

 New York Agricultural Society, for distribution among American flax growers, and it is to be 

 hoped that its introduction may prove successful and important. 



Most of the thread manufactured in Russia is spun by hand. There are, however, two 

 establishments for machine-spinning, the one at Alexandrofsky belonging to government, and 

 introduced as a model ; the other, a private establishment of little importance. Both together 

 contain about 60,000 spindles. Notwithstanding, Russia exports a considerable quantity of 

 yarn to America, and supplies in addition, the domestic consumption. The manufacturers 

 in the vicinity of Moscow, Jerosloff, and Archangel furnish the common fabrics consumed in 

 the empire. Fine linens are imported into Russia to a slight extent, the yearly average not 

 exceeding 35,000 pounds in weight, Notwithstanding the low price of the raw material and 

 of hand labor, this branch of national industry is protected by an excessively high tariff of 

 duties, and sailcloth, canvas, and cordage of all descriptions are contraband. Editor. 



