as practised in Ireland and on the Continent. 
429 
Austria 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Egypt 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Great Britain 
Hungary 
Holland 
Italy 
Ireland 
Russia 
Sweden 
Europe 
218,042 Statute Acres, producing 
140,901 
6,292 
15,000 
1G2,099 
329,302 
957 
8,985 „ ,, 
27,048 
44,114 
200,356 
157,534 
2,000,000 
33 J 639 
45,162 tons of Flax. 
29,580 
787 
1,875 
36,969 „ 
57,432 
119 
1,398 
5,301 
7,386 
22,953 
24,508 
250,000 
4,205 
= 3,344,329 
487,675 
The above list does not include the flax which is grown in 
British India and the United States of America, where very 
little fibre is saved, the seed being used for the production of 
oil. The area under the crop in the United States is said to be 
not under 400,000 statute acres. 
In order to show that there is room for a more extensive pro- 
duction of home-grown flax, the following figures are inserted, 
giving the supply which was available for the requirements of 
the linen trade in the United Kingdom in 1879 and 1880 ; and 
it may be mentioned that the average imports of the last ten 
years were 98,642 tons : — 
1879. 
1880. 
Foreign Imports 
Irish Production 
Britisli „ 
Tons. 
84,755 
19, GU 
1,081 
Tons. 
94,812 
24,508 
1,398 
105,447 
3,278 
120,718 
2,979 
102,169 
117,739 
It may be observed that the preponderance of the supply is 
derived from abroad, a portion of which under any circum- 
stances would require to be maintained, as foreign flax of a 
class which cannot be produced at home is essential for the 
production of a description of yarns spun by some spinners ; but 
a much more increased supply of such flax as is produced in 
Ireland would find a ready market. 
The fabrics of which flax forms the basis are, as before men- 
tioned, a staple industry in Ireland, and the manufacture of the 
finer classes of goods is mainly confined to the province of 
