CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLAX. 67 



ON THE CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLAX. 



Among other objects to which we appreliend the agriculturists of the United 

 States miglit have recourse, to diversify their staples, and so, by diminishing the 

 production, augment the profits of each, Flax is one that we arc inclined to 

 think might well reward the labor applied to it, if that labor were enlightened by 

 a knowledge of the most approved methods of cultivation, and of preparation for 

 market. Professing not to be ourselves by any means well versed in the details 

 of this branch of industry, it is our intention to seek the best lights to be had ; 

 not only on this, but in regard, also, to Hemp and to all other articles, which, 

 though of less importance in amount, serve yet to makeup the aggregate of Na- 

 tional wealth. May it not be assumed that the extension of the growth of flax 

 IS restrained not only by the substitution of cotton, as a cheaper article of clothing, 

 and by the dearness of labor in our country, but also by ignorance of the best kind 

 of land, and mode of preparing it ; and especially by an impression that its culti- 

 vation is attended ivith great exhaustion of the soil ? 



We have just received from England a work lately published there, which 

 appears to go fully into all other views of the subject, besides " the improved 

 mode in the cultivation and management of flax," 



From much more that is said on the point of its being a great exhauster, and 

 in contradiction of that impression, we have only room now for what follows 

 on the next page. 



We have on other occasions, intimated how much better it would be to form 

 associations for the promotion of the knowledge and the growth of particular 

 branches of industry, than to attempt, vainly as we do, to achieve great improve- 

 ments, by means of a single society to embrace a great number of objects. Aim- 

 ing to do too much, we end by accomplishing next to nothing. 



In Ireland, a society was lately formed, called the '■'Flax Improvement Society.'''' 

 Under its auspices behold the steady increase which has taken place ! In the spring 

 of 1844 the estimated quantity of flax sown was 40,896 hogsheads of seven bush- 

 els each, while in 1843 it was but 37,400. On the estimate that each hogs- 

 head would sow throe acres, the quantity of land in 1843 was 112,200; and 

 in 1844, 122,688 — increase 10,488 acres. Suppose each acre, according to their 

 estimate, to give an average produce of 600 of scutched flax, the entire produce 

 of Irish flax, in 1843 was 30,465 tons and in 1844, 39,611, being an additional 

 value o{ £141,507 or more than half a million of dollars. In three years, since 

 the formation of the society, the increase in the value of the flax crop is es- 

 timated at £675,000 or $3,375,000, a sum, says the writer, which would for- 

 merly have been paid in bullion to foreigners, but is now circulated among 

 the farmers and laborers of Ireland. 



May we not bring about the same proportionate results for our country, with silk 

 and flax, wool and hemp, and grapes and wine, and other things? Help us, good 

 readers, help us in these inquiries I 



James McAdam, secretary to the Belfast Agricultural Society, says, "As a 

 proof of the great demand for flax at present, I may mention that from this port 

 alone, orders are now out for 300 tons of flax from Egypt, and for 2000 to 300O 

 tons, value £70,000 to £100,000 (§500,000) from the Baltic; and this in spite 



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