364 



On the CuUivation of Flax, 



North America also produces much flax, which, like that of the 

 southern countries of Europe, and India, is principally valued for 

 the seed, although the causes which prevent the economising of 

 the fibre are widely different. To Britain it was brought by the 

 Romans, but was probably known in Ireland at a much earlier 

 period, owing to the intercourse of that country with the Phoe- 

 nicians. 



The experience of late years, since the increase of the linen 

 trade, and the fabrication of the more delicate textures, having 

 caused more attention to be directed to the comparative value of 

 the fibre grown in different countries, has established that, out 

 of the temperate zone, the plants although it flourishes, and pro- 

 duces a seed superior in many respects to that of cold countries, 

 does not yield a fibre of the same delicacy and elasticity;* in 

 fact, a slow steady growth, from the germinating of the seed to 

 the maturity of the plant, is requisite for the quality and yield of 

 fibre. Hence it is found that, in countries approaching the 

 northern limits of the temperate zone, the short hot summers 

 induce too rapid growth, and, although the quantity of fibre pro- 

 duced is pretty large, it is never of a fme reed. This is strongly 

 exemplified by Russia, as, out of an export frequently reaching 

 40,000 to 50,000 tons per annum, none sells higher than 48/. ; 

 whereas in Belgium and Holland the price often reaches 150/. 

 and 180/. per ton. For the same reason insular countries, or long 

 lines of coast, whose position insures a more equable temperature 

 and a continued supply of moisture from spring till autumn, are 

 found to produce the best flax. In hot climates the character of 

 the plant materially differs from that which it presents in tem- 

 perate climates. It grows short and branchy, throwing out a 

 large number of seed-vessels, with seeds containing a much larger 

 per centage of oleaginous matter than in the latter, where the 

 plant springs up to a height of SO or 40 inches in a straight 

 slender stem, with few or no branches, and only two or three 

 seed-vessels to each stalk. Egypt is the only hot country which 

 furnishes any fibre to our markets. Favoured by the rich alluvial 

 soil of the Nile, the plant there attains great luxuriance, but the 

 rule before stated is again recognised, since, notwithstanding the 

 great efforts lately made by the Pacha to improve the culture and 

 preparation, its value has not exceeded 44/. per ton. 



1'he quantity of flax consumed in Great Britain and Ireland 

 annually will be learned from the following official list of imports 

 for six years ending Sth January, 1846, extracted from the Re- 

 turns of the Board of Trade : — 



* Between the parallels of 48^ and 55^ north latitude will be found the 

 best flax-producing countries of Europe, 



