FLAX-SPINNING. 



285 



Previous to 1820, the import of Flax had increased but 

 slowly, but from that time we see that the increase has been 

 rapid, having been more than trebled between that date and 

 1856 or from 27,875 to 84,352. We must add to this the 

 home growth, which is for Ireland about 22,000 tons yearly, 

 on the average of the last ten years ; for England and Scot- 

 land a small quantity, probably not exceeding 600 or 700 tons. 

 On the whole, the annual consumption of Flax in the United 

 Kingdom will be about 100,000 tons, which, at an average 

 price of 50, will make the yearly value of the raw material 

 of the linen manufacture about 5,000,000. From a Parlia- 

 mentary return we obtain the following particulars respecting 

 the Flax-spinning of the United Kingdom : 

 FLAX-SPINNING 1850. 



1850. 



Yorkshire. 



Spinning only 



Spinning and weaving 



417 1,288,043 8,869 18,322 80,262 



37 

 9 



149,201 

 65,346 



411 



46 214,557 411 



1858. 



Leeds 11 160,300 510 . . 8,772 



Here we see that the increase has been much the most rapid 

 in Ireland, and that in Scotland there was during this period 

 a small dirnunition. There are several circumstances to 

 account for the rapid increase in Flax-spinning in Ireland 

 The north of Ireland is an old established seat of the linen 

 manufacture, chiefly of the lighter fabrics suited for the export 

 markets, and especially for that of the United States of 

 America, which, since 1846, have so largely increased. Again, 



