Flax for seed and fiber has been an established industry in 

 Europe for several centuries, while in each section where the in- 

 dustry has been carried on, a different system has been prac- 

 ticed. Each system. Varying to a greater, or less degree, but all 

 more or less satisfactory in their results. The Irishman, adopt- 

 ing one system, being fully impressed with the idea, that his is 

 the only correct one, and any departure therefrom is all wrong, 

 and the result of gross ignorance. With due care, a good article 

 is produced, and he fondly hugs himself with the delusive idea, 

 that Irish flax is the best in the world. (?) 



I go across to Belgium, in the district of Courtrai, I find an 

 entirely and radically different system in use, and a better and 

 higher priced quality of flax fibre produced there. Mister Irish- 

 man, to the contrary; — notwithstanding. My Belgian friend is 

 just as fully convinced that the Irish system is all wrong. I leave 

 Belgium and pass into Holland, and again find modifications in 

 practice. Likewise, in Germany, Russia, Scandinavia and Austria, 

 all practicing the peculiar system handed down from one gener- 

 ation to another as best adapted to their local conditions. 



During recent years, however, the whole system of manipu- 

 lating flax for fiber production is being modified to meet the re- 

 quirements of modern manufacturers. Formerly the flax in- 

 dustry in Europe was chiefly conducted by the small peasant far- 

 mer, who grew the flax, retted, spun and wove it into domestic 

 fabrics, and great was the pride evinced by the farmer's wife 

 and daughters in the beautiful and artistic damask and linen 

 fabrics which they produced. Now, however, that is all changed, 

 and large spinning mills with thousands of spindles have been 

 established, while the costly modern machines have been pro- 

 duced to cater to the increased requirements of the large spin- 

 ners, they requiring large quantities of fibre, of uniform grades, 

 while the small farmers could only produce small quantities of 

 varying grades, the business passed into the hands of more ex- 

 tensive cultivators. Not only so, but the son cannot now work 

 to advantage on the plan practiced by the father owing to new 

 developments by the advance of agricultural science, in the way 

 of fertilizers. The tactile skill of the father has not passed to the 

 son. While the lessons taught the son in the Agricultural Col- 

 leges is an unknown language to the father. In the midst of this 

 demoralization came the competition of the cheap cotton and 

 shoddy goods and the peasant class with that want of foresight 

 which characterises them as a class, were led to abandon the 

 more durable, healthful and economical homespun products of the 

 flax plant for the cheaper cotton. 



Another strong competitor arose in the culture of the sugar 

 beet, which, being a cash money crop, and not requiring the same 

 amount of care, attention and hard work, helped to wean the 

 small farmer from flax culture. So great was the falling off of 

 the flax culture in Austria that the Empress Theresa and Emperor 

 Joseph 2nd, in order to stem the demoralizing tide and sustain 

 this hand industry of the peasant established in Silicia, Bohemia, 

 and Moravia, flourishing establishments which are carried on with 



