FLAX-SPINNING. 



285 



Previous to 1820, the import of Flax had increased but 

 slowly, but from that time we see that the increase has been 

 rapid, having been more than trebled between that date and 

 1856— or from 27,875 to 84,352. We must add to this the 

 home growth, which is for Ireland about 22,000 tons yearly, 

 on the average of the last ten years ; for England and Scot- 

 land a small quantity, probably not exceeding 600 or 700 tons. 

 On the whole, the annual consumption of Flax in the United 

 Kingdom will be about 100,000 tons, which, at an average 

 price of £50, will make the yearly value of the raw material 

 of the linen manufacture about £5,000,000. From a Parlia- 

 mentary return we obtain the following particulars respecting 

 the Flax-spinning of the United Kingdom : — 

 Flax-spinning — 1850. 



Power Horse 



1850. Factories. Spindles. looms, power. Hands. 



England and Wales 135 365,568 1,083 4,487 19,001 



-Scotland 189 303,125 2,529 6,425 28,312 



Ireland 69 326,008 58 3,380 21,121 



393 994,701 3,670 14,392 68,434 



1856. 



England and Wales 139 441,759 1,987 4,644 19,787 



Scotland 168 278,304 5,011 6,346 31,722 



Ireland 110 567,980 1,871 7,332 28,753 



417 1,288,043 8,869 18,322 80,262 



1856. 



Yorkshire. 



Spinning only 37 149,201 



Spinning and weaving ... 9 65,346 411 



46 214,557 411 



1858. 



Leeds 11 160,300 510 . . 8,772 



Here we see that the increase has been much the most rapid 

 in Ireland, and that in Scotland there was during this period 

 a small dimunition. There are several circumstances to 

 account for the rapid increase in Flax-spinning in Ireland 

 The north of Ireland is an old established seat of the linen 

 manufacture, chiefly of the lighter fabrics suited for the export 

 markets, and especially for that of the United States of 

 America, which, since 1846, have so largely increased. Again, 



