xc INTRODUCTION. 



The amount of flax produced in the States and Territories in 1850 was 7,709,676 pounds, and in 

 1860 4,720,145 pounds. In other words, the production of flax has fallen off almost one half since 1850. 



Since the commencement of the war flax culture has received increased attention, owing to the 

 scarcity of cotton, and it is not improbable that, were the census taken now, it would be found that the 

 flax crop was at least as great as in 1850. The climate of the northern States is admirably adapted to 

 the growth of flax, and all that is needed to make it a highly remunerative crop is the introduction of 

 machines for dressing the fibre and preparing it for market. Great improvements have recently taken 

 place in the machines for this purpose, and there can be no doubt that flax will be much more exten 

 sively cultivated. 



The following table shows the amount of flax grown in the New England States in 1860, as com 

 pared with 1850: 



I860. 1850. 



Connecticut 1, 187 17, 928 



Maine 2, 997 17, 081 



Massachusetts 265 1, 162 



New Hampshire 1, 347 7, 052 



Vermont 7, 007 20, 852 



llhode Island.. 85 



Total 12, 703 64, 760 



The amount of flax raised in the New England States has fallen off from 64,760 pounds in 1850, 

 to 12,703 pounds in 1860. 



Vermont is the largest flax-producing State in New England, but even in this State the crop has 

 fallen off from 20,852 pounds in 1850, to 7,007 pounds in 1860. 



The following table shows the amount of flax grown in the middle States in 1860, as compared 

 with 1850 : 



I860. 1850. 



New York 1, 518, 025 940, 577 



New Jersey 48, 651 182, 965 



Delaware 8, 112 11, 174 



Maryland 14, 481 35, GS6 



Pennsylvania 312, 368 530, 307 



Total 1, 901, 637 1, 700, 709 



In New York the crop of flax increased from 940,577 pounds in 1850, to 1,518,025 pounds in 1860. 



In Pennsylvania, on the other hand, there was a falling off in the production of flax from 530,307 

 pounds in 1850, to 312,368 pounds in 1860. 



In New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, the crop of flax has also decreased since 1850. 



The following table shows the amount of flax produced in the western States in 1860, as compared 

 with 1850: 



18CO. 1850. 



Ohio 882, 423 44G, 932 



Indiana 97, 119 584, 469 



Michigan 4, 128 7, 162 



Illinois 48, 235 160, 063 



Wisconsin 21, 644 68, 393 



Minnesota 1 , 983 



Iowa 30, 226 62, 660 



Missouri 109, 837 627, 160 



Kentucky 728, 234 2, 100, 116 



Kansas 1, 135 



Nebraska 



Total 1, 924, 964 4, 056, 945 



