198 CULTURE OF FLAX IN SINDH. 
in many parts of the Punjab and Sindh. The facilities which 
exist for water-carriage down the Indus will render its transport 
cheap; while great and constant demand exists for it in 
Bombay. 
“JT think, therefore, that it is an article to which attention 
may be profitably directed in any district where it is desirable 
to discover articles of produce adapted for exportation.” 
The Bombay Chamber of Commerce observe: “ Linseed of 
the quality described as the growth of the Punjab would, under 
all ordinary circumstances, command a ready sale in this market, 
at from Rs.3 4 to Rs.3 8 per ewt. of 112 Ib.; and during 
the greater part of the past year the price has been as high as 
Rs. 3 12.” 
The Author has been favoured with a letter (dated 19th 
August, 1854) from Mr. Frere, in which he states that—“ For 
the last two seasons attempts have been made, with very satis- 
factory results, to introduce the culture of Linseed into Sindh. 
It grows well in the ordinary wheat-lands, and under every 
disadvantage, there has been no failure traceable to soil or 
climate. I have no doubt but that, in a few years, it will be- 
come one of the staple articles of export.” 
He also states that attention has begun to be directed to the 
fibre, and that Mr. Harvey, who was in early life practically 
engaged in Flax farming in Ireland, and who has now been 
some years resident in Sindh, has commenced some experi- 
ments, and hopes to be able this season to send to this country 
some specimens of Flax grown in Sindh. In a previous page 
it was mentioned that Mr. Burn, who had been some years in 
Sindh, had seen some thick-sown Flax growing there luxu- 
riantly, and which he had no doubt would produce Flax, though 
it had only been cultivated on account of the seed. 
Some Europe seed, for the sake of comparison with the na- 
tive seed, and some heckles, which Mr. Harvey wished for, 
have been, at Mr. Frere’s request, forwarded, by order of 
the Court of Directors, by the overland route to Kurrachee. 
There seems no doubt of success to at least the same extent 
as in Egypt, if the culture is persevered in until the proper 
methods of cultivation and of preparation have been carefully 
ascertained. 
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