430 Flax-Farming in the Netherlands. 
Ulster. For texture and excellence of finish these fabrics are 
unsurpassed, and for durability they will compare favourably with 
any analogous manufacture. It would be irrelevant to enter into 
details regarding the merits of the many useful and artistic 
materials which are manufactured from the product of the flax 
plant, and which only require to enter more extensively into 
general use to be fully appreciated. 
XXVI. — Flax-Farming in the Netherlands. By H. M. Jenkins, 
F.G.S., Secretary of the Society, and Editor of the Journal. 
[Reprinted from the ' Report on the Agriculture of the Netherlands to the Royal 
Commission on Agriculture.'] 
The most important seat of this industry is the island of 
Ijsselmonde, immediately opposite Rotterdam, from which it 
is divided only by the river Maas. Formerly this island was 
also the district in which flax was principally grown, but for 
this purpose it has long since been exhausted, or, as the ex- 
pression goes, Jlaxed-out. Like some other crops, flax cannot 
be profitably grown frequently on the same land for long 
together; and so the soil of Ijsselmonde has become obstinately 
flax-sick. Still it appears that the inhabitants of the island, 
having become acquainted with all the details of the cultivation 
of the plant, and the preparation of the fibre for the market, 
the industry still remains there, although the actual growth of 
the plant is removed to every other district of the Netherlands. 
Some of the so-called " flax-farmers " have farms of their own, 
either as proprietors or tenants, in the island of Ijsselmonde. 
These are cultivated in the ordinary manner, but a crop of flax 
is now rarely taken, 
Flax-Growing. — For flax-growing the "farmer" either hires 
land for the purpose or he buys the crop at harvest-time. The 
former method appears to be most liked by both parties, and the 
natives of Ijsselmonde may be seen at the proper season weeding 
the flax in every part of the Netherlands, even to the extreme 
north of Groningen. The "flax-farmer" pays from 8/. to IIZ. 
per acre for the land duly prepared for sowing. An oat stubble is 
preferred, but a wheat stubble is also accepted, and a very fine 
tilth is absolutely necessary. The land must have been properly 
manured for the corn crop, but no manure is applied for the flax, 
except as presently stated. The "flax-farmer" sends his seed 
and has it drilled by machine, Riga seed being generally pre- 
ferred. If the season is very backward, and it is thought neces- 
