A S I NFL UENCED B Y LEG I SLA TION. 8 1 



been paid. 1 In 1656 it was ordered that 

 every family should spin some flax ; and 

 the Act prescribed minutely the number of 

 pounds to be spun by each family accord- 

 ing to its ability, and imposed a penalty of 

 twelve pence for every pound short. 



In 1728 a considerable bounty was 

 offered for flax-growing" by an Act enti- 

 tled, - 



" An Act for encouraging the raising of flax within 

 this province. 2 



" i. That from and after the publication of this 

 Act, for the encouragement of the manufacturers of 

 canvas and cordage, there shall be paid out of the 

 public treasury the sum of 18 shillings and 8 pence 

 for every one hundred and twelve pounds of water- 

 rotted, well-cured, and clean-dressed flax of the growth 

 of this province. 



"5. That if any one shall bring to the market 

 the quantity of two hundred and twenty-four pounds 

 weight of flax, he shall be allowed 4 shillings and 8 

 pence per hundred over and above what is before 

 allowed by this Act. 



" 7. This Act to continue ... for the space of 

 five years." 



When this Act expired, it was renewed 

 with a larger bounty, and a recognition of 



1 i Bishop, p. 299. 2 Province Laws, 1728, chap. 7. 



