432 [Assembly 



the raw material. In Ireland the ouitivation of flax has fallen 

 during the past year, as compared with 1845, by nearly 60,000 

 acres. In Russia, from whence we derive our largest supplies, 

 there has been a decrease in the amount of exports of flax of 

 nearly 150,000 " poods," or about twenty per cent ; and I find in 

 the Morning Chronicle, wliicli has devoted much attention to the 

 subject of an extension of the growth of flax, a circular of one of 

 the largest houses in St. Petersburgh in which the following 

 statement occurs : — 



" We are to have a small supply of flax next season, not above 

 one-half of that which we had two years ago, and such high prices 

 are consequently paying in the interior, that the dealers will not 

 be able to lay it down here, to cost less abroad, that it is now sell- 

 ing for on yom- side ; so that we are not likely to have anything 

 doing on contract for a long time, if at all this winter, unless the 

 relative state of the two markets experience mutual alteration 

 by an improvement on your side." 



In Belgium, where the finest qualities of flax are produced, 

 the cultivation of flax is considerably less than on the average of 

 former years. 



Objfxtions to Growth of Flax : Agriculture. — But if satis- 

 fied that ample markets exist for the sale of his produce, and that 

 this sort of moral impediment to its growth has been removed, 

 the agriculturist may still point to the objections entertained 

 against the growth of flax, both on account of its supposed ex- 

 haustive character, and the trouble, risk, and expense attendant 

 upon its preparation for market, as reasons why he should not 

 enter upon the cultivation of the plant. With respect to the ex- 

 haustive character of the plant, and its consequent injurious ef- 

 fects upon the soil, there appears to be no reason for supposing 

 that, under a proper and judicious mode of treatment, it is more 

 exhaustive or injurious than any other seed-producing crop. An 

 examination of tlie stem of the plant shows that those portions of 

 it which are required for the purpose of manufacture, are derived 

 almost exclusively from the atmosphere. Indeed, to so small an 

 extent do the organic properties of the soil enter into the fibre, 

 that it has been found upon analysis that 100 lbs. does not con- 



