PREFACE. 



THIS volume aims to be brief, readable, 

 and pertinent to the point at issue ; name- 

 ly, that a duty on imported flax is unneces- 

 sary, and a hinderance to the development 

 of the flax-growing and linen-manufac- 

 turing industries in the United States. 

 The facts and figures upon which this 

 study is based are taken almost entirely 

 from publications of the United States 

 Government, and the object has been to 

 tell the story, so far as is possible, in the 

 words of the government experts. Fre- 

 quent references have been made for 

 ready verification. 



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