60 FLAX CULTURE 



tiers' Association favor protection for that 

 somewhat mythical personage, the grower 

 of flax fibre, on account of a compromise 

 arrangement by which their own protec- 

 tion is secured. 



The American Flax and Hemp Spinners' 

 and Growers' Association would have in- 

 creased the surplus in the treasury by 

 $58,825 in 1887 if this increase had been 

 adopted, and they are unable to show any 

 benefit to accrue from this tax to any 

 domestic interest. Even Mr. Sisson ad- 

 mits that " it would not be much help." 

 If, then, an increase of fifty per cent in the 

 duty on raw flax " would not be much 

 help," why retain the present duty, which, 

 so far as can be ascertained, is no help at 

 all? 



There are linen-manufacturers, however, 

 not connected with the Spinners' and 

 Growers' Association, and not, therefore, 

 under the spell of such sophistry ; and a 

 most fitting summing-up of this whole 

 discussion is to be found in the recom- 

 mendations and suggestions to the Tariff 



