100 



FLAX ON LORD ERNE S ESTATE. 



flax more in the markets this season than there was three years 

 since, which at the low rate of 451. a ton value would give the 

 sumof 643,050Z. ; and this added to the above additional value, 

 makes it clearly appear that fully a million of money above 

 the usual expenditure will be retained in the country and ex- 

 pended in the home market this season, contributing thus to 

 the welfare of the community at large. (Hear.) But to prove, 

 my Lord, that this calculation is not fallacious, we have positive 

 corroboration of the fact by taking the official return of imports 

 of foreign flax for the last four 3'ears, which shows a gradual 

 decrease, and in a ratio commensurate with the Society's suc- 

 cessful exertions to increase the growth and promote its better 

 preparation at home. It was stated before a committee of the 

 House of Commons in 1840, that the amount of the importa- 

 tion of foreign flax from all the Continent furnishing into Great 

 Britain was 80,000 tons; in 1841 it w^as much under this 

 amount; in 1842 it was in round numbers but 67,000; and in 

 1843, 55,000 tons. (Hear, hear.) Here we have facts sub- 

 stantiating the former views that we are gradually becoming 

 more independent of the foreign supply ; and I can affirm on 

 the experience of the past and practical knowledge acquired by 

 an agriculturist abroad and at home, that no reason exists 

 whatever why the whole quantity of the raw material required 

 to keep our manufactories in full employment may not be 

 produced at home both in quantity and quality, and thus the 

 great drain of wealth, the purchasing of it from foreign coun- 

 tries (countries, too, with whom we have no reciprocal transac- 

 tions), may be checked and circulated at home, to the enrich- 

 ment of our farmers, and weal of Ireland. (Cheers.) Let 

 there be, therefore, no cessation of exertion to raise the supply 

 required, and be assured that we have both the climate and 

 the soil to grow it to any perfection, if but due skill and atten- 

 tion are given to it. But look at these specimens of flax, and 

 those beautiful fabrics which I brought wdth me, as samples of 

 what the Irish farmer can produce, and the Irish weaver can 

 turn out. (Hear, hear.) No country in the world can surpass 

 them. This linen of 28 vo was woven near Lisburn, and this 

 cambric at Lurgan — the prize pieces were even finer. The 



