244 



DICKSON ON FLAX-CULTURE IN INDIA 



76,456 tons; in 1837, upwards of 50,000 tons; in 1838, 

 81,314 tons. Nine years afterwards, in 1847, the total 

 imports were 52,604 tons; in 1850, 91,146 tons; in 1851, 

 59,709 tons; 1857, upwards of 93,300 tons ; while this year 

 it is not expected to exceed 60,000 tons. The foreign 

 countries from which the supply is principally derived are 

 Russia (which has sent us in the last ten months 41,180 tons), 

 Holland, and Belgium. These countries are themselves 

 becoming large consumers of Flax, and it is even thought 

 that in a few years they will be able to work up the greater 

 part of their own produce. 



"With regard to the cultivation of Flax in India, an 

 appeal has been made to the government that Lord Stanley 

 declines to take any further steps beyond those which have 

 been already adopted b}^ the Punjaub Government, who 

 have of late years offered several prizes by way of encourage- 

 ment to the natives to devote their attention to this branch 

 of industry. It is stated that no part of India is so well 

 adapted for the culture of Flax as the Punjaub. The most 

 convenient port for shipment for Europe would be Kurrachee, 

 which is now the point of arrival for large numbers of troops 

 and quantities of stores. At present there is no export trade 

 from Kurrachee, and if vessels could leave the port freighted 

 with Flax instead of returning in ballast, additional employ- 

 ment would be given to the shipping trade in the East. The 

 value of the trade resulting from the cultivation of Flax is 

 shown by the following figures : — In 1857 rather more than 

 £4,000,000 was paid for the 93,300 tons imported, and when 

 there is added the amount paid for linseed-oil and oil-seed- 

 cake, exclusively of that imported from the East Indies, the 

 total is augmented to £7,000,000, which, it is urged, might 

 have been as well expended upon Indian as upon Russian or 

 Belgian produce. The formation of a Flax Supply Associa- 

 tion is suggested, on the same plan as that already existing 

 for increasing the supply of raw cotton." 



