140 IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTURE OF FLAX. 
is yet, in other countries, accounted a most desirable object of 
attention, being in Belgium called “the Golden Crop,” and 
in Ireland “the Rent-paying Crop.” In Russia, it is one of 
the principal objects of culture, and has been much extended 
by the continual advances of English capital ; while in Egypt, 
the culture was re-established by the vigorous but despotic 
policy of the late Mehemet Ali. In India, it is to be hoped 
that the ryots may be induced to cultivate it in suitable 
localities, on account of the fibre, as they already do for the 
sake of the seed. In such situations, it will, no doubt, be an 
eligible crop, as land is cheap and labour almost everywhere 
abundant. Mr. Nichols says—‘ The quantity of Flax which 
ought to be cultivated in any locality, must, in some measure, 
be governed by the quantity of labour there obtainable. One 
acre in a hundred, and one in fifty, have each been named as 
a suitable proportion to be applied for the growth of Flax, 
In former times the farmer was by law required to cultivate 
one acre with Flax, out of every sixty acres occupied.’ And 
he further observes: “If the quantity of Flax grown be limited 
by the labour which can be obtained, so may the amount of 
obtainable labour be said to indicate the extent to which 
culture ought to be carried in any locality. It is calculated 
that an acre of good Flax, as it stands in the field, containing, 
say about fifty stone of fibre, will afford employment for from 
twelve to fourteen weeks to a man skilled in the several pro- 
cesses of its preparation.” But it is not to men only that the 
Flax affords employment, but also to women and to children ; 
as it is skill rather than strength that is required for many 
of the operations. Hence, its introduction is very desirable in 
suitable localities, where population is abundant. 
Success in culture will, therefore, depend on many con- 
siderations ; as it is necessary to have a suitable soil and favora- 
ble climate; also, a sufficient population, with facilities for 
the sale and the transit of the produce. At present, Flax is 
produced over a very wide area, and there seems no sufficient 
reason why this may not be still further extended. 
The principal sorts of Flax which are imported into this 
country are Russian, Prussian, Egyptian, Dutch, Belgian, 
and French. Of these the first three are, speaking generally, 
coarser in nature than the last three. The proportion per cent. 
