38 FLAX CULTURE 



the present tariff on raw flax, dressed and 

 undressed, continues, he would have been 

 nearer the truth. If, however, he meant 

 a possibility in taxation, the prospect is 

 truly magnificent. 



What, then, is the reason for this con- 

 dition of the flax-growing industry in the 

 United States ? Is it because the tariff is 

 not high enough, and more protection is 

 needed ? It would seem that if good flax 

 can be easily raised in the United States, 

 the present prices would be a sufficient 

 inducement to the farmer without any 

 duty at all. Flax fibre brings from $300 

 to $500 per ton, and the finest grades of 

 dressed flax bring as high as $750 a ton. 1 

 The average price of the "dressed line" 

 imported in 1887 was $525 per ton. The 

 Western farmer sells his straw at $3 to $6 

 per ton, and, more often than not, is un- 

 able to sell it at any price. 



The Flax and Hemp Spinners' and 

 Growers' Association says that a higher 

 duty is needed ; although a leading manu- 



1 Rep. Tar. Com., p. 1526. Rep. Dept. Ag. 1879, p. 568. 



