INTRODUCTION. xci 



It will be seen that there is a great falling off in the production of flax in the western States, 

 where over four million pounds of flax was raised in 1850, and less than two million pounds in 18(50. 



Kentucky, in 1850, was decidedly the largest flax-producing State in the country, raising nearly 

 one-third of all the flax grown in the United States. The returns for I860 show an astonishing 

 diminution in the growth of flax in this State. From over two million pounds in 1850, the production 

 of flax is less than three-quarters of a million in I860. 



Ohio is now the largest flax-producing State in the west. From 446,932 pounds in 1850, she has 

 increased to 882,423 pounds in 18GO. 



On the other hand, Indiana and Missouri, which produced a large crop of flax in 1850, have, like 

 Kentucky, fallen off to an astonishing degree. Missouri, which produced 627,160 pounds in 1850, 

 now produces only 109,837 pounds; and Indiana, which produced 584,469 pounds in 1850, produces 

 only 97,119 pounds. 



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

 with 1850: 



I860. 1850. 



Alabama Ill 3,921 



Arkansas 3, 821 12, 291 



Florida 50 



Georgia 3, 303 5, 387 



Louisiana 



Mississippi 50 GG5 



North Carolina 21G, 490 593, 796 



South Carolina 344 333 



Tennessee 1G4, 294 368, 131 



Texas 115 1, 048 



Virginia 487, 808 1 , 000, 450 



Total 87G, 336 1, 986, 072 



The production of flax in the southern States has fallen off more than one-half since 1850. 



Virginia is the principal flax-producing State in the south. She raises more flax than all the other 

 southern States. The amount of flax raised in Virginia has fallen off from one million pounds in 1850, 

 to less than half a million pounds in 1860. 



North Carolina and Tennessee are the only other southern States in which flax is grown to any extent. 



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

 with 1850 : 



I860. 1850. 



California 



Oregon 162 640 



New Mexico 



Utah : 4, 340 550 



Washington . . 



Total 4, 505 1, 190 



In California there was no flax reported either in 1850 or 1860. 

 In Oregon there was produced 640 pounds in 1850, and only 162 pounds in 1860. 

 In Utah the production of flax increased from 550 pounds in 1850, to 4,343 pounds in 1860. 

 The following table shows the amount of flax in ounces grown in the different sections in 1860 

 and in 1850 in proportion to population : 



1800. 1850. 



New England States 0.06 0.33 



Middle States 3.68 4 25 



Western States 3.00 10.29 



Southern States 1.52 4.09 



United States andlVrritories. . 2.37 5.31 



