FLAX QUESTION. 



301 



OUR STAPLE MANUFACTURES, PAST AND PRESENT. 

 The history of Flax and Flax-culture belongs to nearly every 

 nation of the globe. No writer, however ancient the date of 

 his annals, nor any historian, however remote the period of 

 his researches, has yet been able to discover the early advents 

 of that culture. Flax-plants grow in all climes, and thrive 

 under every variety of temperature. Of course the class of 

 produce varies to some extent with atmospheric peculiarities ; 

 still, from the equator to the pole, we may find different 

 descriptions of the one plant, and in many instances it exists 

 among the natural produce of the soil. Thousands of years 

 ago, and long before Pharoah's prime minister, Joseph, brought 

 into practice the first system of corn laws ever known to the 

 world, Egypt's farmers and Egypt's operatives were learned 

 in the growth of the raw material, and cunning in the mysteries 

 of weaving linen fabrics. 



Under the Mosaic eocnomy, it is evident that the value of 

 Flax and its products were fully estimated, special enactments 

 having been set forth for the exclusive preservation of that 

 manufacture. One clause of the acts then promulgated most 

 peremptorily interdicted the use of mingled linen and woollen 

 fabrics as articles of clothing. Textile coalitions were conse- 

 quently watched with as much jealousy in those days, as 

 cabinet coalitions are at the present period. 



Throughout New Zealand's immense tracts and prairies 

 Flax is found growing to the height of six or even seven feet, 

 numerously branching off at the top, and exhibiting great 

 strength of stem. The aborigines of that country use the 

 fibre in making ropes, cordage, and a very coarse description 

 of cloth. Amid the classic isles ef Greece, 



" Where burning Sappho loved and sung," 

 the Flax crops were cultivated thirty centuries ago with all that 

 attention to scientific skill which distinguished their early 

 history. Several of the most learned of the Grecian 



