240 DICKSON ON FLAX IN THE SOUTH OF IRELAND 



Youghal; 12cwt. from Mr. Henry Barry, of Middleton : and 

 a great number of lots varying from 10 to 25 stones. It is 

 much to be regretted that, although ample time for prepara- 

 tion and sufficient publicity in the local newspapers were 

 given, the seeming want of attention on the part of holders 

 made it an almost total failure. From the Bandon district, 

 too, there was no supply, as the entire quantity Lad been pre- 

 viously purchased in the mills there by Russell and Company, 

 of Limerick. We have to observe also, that although the 

 quality of nearly the entire was good, there was some produced 

 which was naively termed ' rascally stuff,' and that, although 

 the farmers know very well that spinners do not buy Flax in a 

 hackled state, preferring to do it their own way, there was a 

 small quantity offered for sale in that state. There were some 

 buyers from the north in attendance, and we fear that their 

 disappointment will exercise a deteriorating influence on future 

 markets. Yet, however gloomy this state of things may appear 

 to several (and we are of the number), who watch with an 

 anxiety almost painful the effect of every effort made to 

 resuscitate, or preserve from further decay, the manufactures 

 of Ireland, we believe that in this very article of Flax 

 manufacture a brighter day is about to dawn. We had the 

 pleasure of viewing some specimens of Flax and Indian fibre 

 prepared by Dickson's patent process, which Mr. Biggs, agent 

 to Dickson and Co., of London, kindly showed us, and which 

 were exhibited some time ago to the Cuiverian Society, and 

 they certainly were brought to a state of perfection which we 

 would almost say cannot be surpassed, at the same time that 

 the strength of the fibre is completely preserved. A new 

 and important feature in Mr. Dickson's process is, that he is 

 able from a rough Indian fibre, which is brought into our 

 harbour as dunnage, and thrown away as useless, and which 

 can be imported in large quantities at a comparatively trivial 

 cost, to produce a vegetable silk, which none but persons the 



