182 ENGLISH REPORTS ON INDIAN FLAX. 
so favorably reported on by the Flax Committee of the Society) forwarded 
by him to iverson, (v. ‘Report’ 1841, p. 41.) 
The letter, which bears date January 30, 1841, is from Mr. Grey, and he’ 
says: “From what I can judge, and having shown them to a friend here 
who has probably as much through his hands as any other in Liverpool, a 
partner of William Jackson, Son, and Co. 
“‘Mr. Murray seemed far from sanguine about them, but I trust they 
indicate the capability of producing an article of great importance and. 
extent. 
“Ist. The best is a lot (country Flax, native seed, 26th May, 1840)— 
ee may be worth £40 to £45 per ton here; it is finer, softer, and better 
an 
“2d. The large parcel (country Flax, native seed, 27th May, 1840)— 
which has a fine broad fibre, and not much inferior; it is worth £40, if in 
quantity equal to sample. 
“The lengths are too unequal, which makes it fall upon the hackle, and 
is a disadvantage. Of these two samples the fibre is by no means weaker 
than of many other such Flaxes, and probably when this is the case it arises 
from the preparation. 
“3d. (Bengal, May, prepared by Belgians.) Dew-ripening weakens, I 
understand, the fibre, hurts the colour, and even prevents its bleaching as it 
ought to do, and for which such Flax would be used. Where water is 
obtainable for steeping, this method should not be resorted to. 
“4th. (Indian Flax, No. 1, grown in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, 
worth at least £30 per ton.) This is better, but seems, if I mistake not, 
also to be dew-ripened. It is worth £35 here, however. 
“5th. These from imported seed don’t seem equal to the produce of 
native. 
“6th. The heckled Bengal Flax, does not show to advantage, being im- 
perfectly dressed, and happens to be of a dry, hard nature. 
“7th. (Country Flax, native seed, 26th May, 1840.) This mark is similar 
to the first, but you will distinguish it, being darker coloured and harsher. 
“The first is the best, I think, decidedly. Weakness of fibre is an insu- 
perable fault where it exists, and it may be perhaps avoided by better pre- 
paration. The Belgians’ is very weak, and some of the others. 
“TOWS. One of these (Bengal Tow, native seed, 30th May, 1840), seem- 
ingly the clearing or last tow, isa very good thing, worth in Dundee £30 to 
£33, I should say; the others from firmer tools before this, £20. Another 
of same mark as first worth perhaps £16. These are of great consumption, 
as recommended before to your attention. Codillas from £12 @ 16 20 per 
ton would do well, and could be obtained from the waste in preparing the 
better Flax, observing always that the staple be good and the fibres strong, 
though they need not be of great length by any means. In Flax the longer 
the better, though not required beyond moderation, but the fibres should be 
equal and uniform, so as all to split and yield as much dressed as possible. 
These Flaxes on the whole resemble most the common Newry Flax, which 
costs £40 @ 50 per ton, wanting the natural sap, in which all these are 
deficient. . 
“The quality I think will not be of the best for some time, but much that 
would sell largely in Dundee or even Belfast might be obtained; in Dundee 
every thing is used, down to the coarsest ; but Flax worth £40 to £60 per 
ton is most saleable, and to the most certain and best buyers. The Codillas 
and aa there seems no doubt of, and Flax to bring from £30 to £45 per 
ton also.” 
