Proceedings of tee Farmer^ Club. 439 



about ten cents. Flax delights in clay loam or strong soil; where- 

 ever hemp does well, flax should be grown to profit, as on western 

 bottom lands. Canada exported last year three hundred and ten tons 

 and fourteen hundred w^eight of flax, amounting to $72,144, all 

 of which went to the "States," except $568, which was exported 

 to Great Britain. We cannot see how the American duty on our 

 flax is of an}- particular benefit to the Canadian grower, but it may 

 be to the Americans in point of revenue. Canada to-day is burn- 

 ing her candle at both ends, paying a duty on imports and exports, 

 and if there is any one thing the American people have reason to 

 be proud of, it is their protection to home industry. Wool comes 

 free into Canada; cotton, woolen and linen goods, duty so low that 

 the manufacturer here must buy the home product low to compete 

 with foreign importation. It may linger along, but we never can 

 attain that measure of prosperity which our facilities invite, with- 

 out some change in our programme. Whether we shall ever raise 

 a Henry Clay is yet to be seen. We have more water-power run- 

 ning to waste than the combined steam-power of Great Britain,, 

 but no one comes in to occupy it; capital goes where the united 

 voice of a people insures its success. We imported last yeai* 

 $1,034,583 in linen goods, and our flax goes begging for a market. 

 Mr. N. C. Meeker. — We are glad to hear from our Canadian 

 brother. This flax question is one of the utmost impoj-tance to 

 the whole civiliized world, because the time cannot be distant when 

 it will be utterly impossible to grow cotton enough to furnish 

 clothing for the increased population. Cotton cannot grow where 

 grass will, and such soil is soon exhausted. Flax will grow in a 

 grass country for thousands of centuries,, becaiiise the grass will 

 keep up the fertility. 



HOW TO RIPEN PEAKS.. 



Mr. Pope, Cherry Creek, N.Y., wanted to know how toripea pears. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — Pears should be picked carefully,, and put in. 

 a cool, dry place, away from the light. When wanted for use, 

 they should be removed to a warm room> to bring up their color 

 and quality. 



SELLING VEGETABLES BY WEIGHT. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn offered the following resolution: 

 Resolved^ That the Farmers' Club of the American Institute- 

 unanimously indorse the bill now before the New Jersey State.- 

 Legislature, for regulating tlue-sale of vegetables> by weight 



