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FLAX INDUS! H V ;
IMPORTANCE AM> I
um
ITS CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT,
! K 1 HOD8 OF
. MAKKh
EXTRACTS FROM Till \ 1 1 V XL REPORT OF THE ROYAL IRU
flax so< ii rr, uro i m
Dm F COTTOMZING FLAX.
BY I . i. DEM \ V
LATH I t IXSTBL-CTOB TO TUB IOIAL TLkX KtriBTT IS IUXAS*.
•s q«lt*w alto.** Mqafettar, »thil — ACrir»U«r» *•!»••,
LONDON
JAMES RIDOWAY, 169, Piowim I ^
EFFINGHAM WILSON, 11, ROYAL EXCHANGE.
JAMES M«OLASHAN, SACKVILLE STREET, DUBI
S MENZIES, 61 * 63, PRINCES' STREET, EDINBURGH.
1852.
\0
Gnan
**umu> nr w. cloves
am. MML RJJOOBJ) RH it.
THE
FLAX INDUSTRY;
IMPORTANCE AND PKOCI
WITH
VARIOUS BELGIAN METHODS OP GROWLVO AXD
PBIPABIKG II IOB MARKET.
a 2
( I
IM.I'K A.
LANDLORDS AND FLA\-< . Uo\\ i
THE I SITED KIN'.l
THE \l TIlOK.
itat.
a ;{
ri )
I'l! B I ACE.
In whatever capacity it may be, every individual
roust feel gratified in finding himself in a position
able to embrace a mission in which he can make
himself useful to society
The character of my task is of such a nature
that I feel confident that I can do justice to the
cause I am advocating, my principles being not
so much based upon theory as upon a long and
practical experience, and therefore what I shall
advance in this present little work in support of a
branch of industry is based upon facts so evident,
so palpable, and so much in harmony with the
exigencies and circumstances of the state of
things in this country, and especially in Ireland,
that I feel very confident that my efforts and
exertions will meet with the expected success.
,x )
< "Mi ' \x QTOU8TBY.
Imtmoooctiom
I. The Origin and argent Reasons for baring
modern improved Method of growing and preparing the
Flax Plant in Ireland *
II. The Aspect, Agriculture, and Soil of Ireland 9
HI. Defects In the Preparation of the Flax PUnt and Hs ori-
ginal Qualities If
IV. IMcct in the Flax Scutching
I Soggested Improvements in the Scotching Machinery and
handling of the Flsx .... 16
VI. First Flax-polling under the Society ••direction- S3
VII. Flax Factorship 18
VIII. Preparation of the I and to grow Flax in I rr land . 19
IX. Sowing Season *S
X. The Merits of the Flax Plant in its Agricultural Forms . 43
XI. The faronrable Stale of Agriculture for the Flax Culture
in F.ugland 48
XII. Kxhanstation of the Flax Plant S3
XIII. Suggestions for facilitating, promoting, and improving
the Flax Industry of England and Scotland €3
XIV. The Flax Plant in a social and moral point of view 68
XV. Yield and Strength of British Flax ... 93
Flax-spinning increase in Ireland since 1841, when the
Flax Society was established 98
X M I. Schencke System of Steeping . 99
\ Mil. Belgian Flas fabrication . I to
tismere Flax Association Ill
CWiaswtf*.
CONTENT
or
CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLAX.
Introduction . . . . . . .127
:h of flax cleanses and fertilizes the land . 189
Different methods of preparing Flax for market . .190
Value of an acre of Flax in the Blue districts . .IS]
Expenses for growing an acre of Flax in the Blue districts . 131
Value of an sere of Flax in West Flanders ,199
Expenses for growing an acre of Flax in West Flanders . 199
Value of an acre of Flax manufactured. (Blue system ) . 199
Ex (lenses of manufacturing an acre of Flax (Blue system) .
Value of an acre of Flax. (Courtrai system.) Summer
bleaching
Kxjhmiscs of manufacturing an acre of Flax. (Courtrai system. }
Summer bleaching ....... 1 19
Value of an acre of Flax. (Courtrai system.) March
bleaching 184
Expenses of manufacturing an acre of Flax (Courtrai system.)
March bleaching . . . . . . . ].?4
Land-rents in Belgium . . .1)4
Soil requisite to grow Flax 1 99
Preparation of the soil ....... 196
Sowing the seed 196
Weeding 197
Courtrai System (pull in p) 197
Setting up to dry ........ 199
i^lc stack it ..... 199
Taking off the seed 140
BtMpiag 140
Taking Flax out of water 14)
•>g 148
Summer bleaching 14.J
March bleachinp 144
Turning . . . . .146
" Lin Rame ' (kicked Flax) 145
xi
ftp
nyvtkm (pulling) .... . U*
Kipling . . . 148
lllue Steeping . .ISO
S|.r,ft.!.nK . .161
Turning . . . 1M
Lifting .
Dew-retting .152
Discoveries ami inventions in steeping .168
Factorship of Flsx . .165
Consumption and cultivation of Flax in the United Kingdom 168
New modes of steeping ... . 100
Unstrcped fibre .... .161
Chevalier Clsuasen's Invention of Cottooixing Flax . 16*
Flax-growers' Experiments .... .168
Arrasoix 171
Tsble of roUtions in a poor sandy soil . . .177
Tabic of rotations for the richest kind of light soil . .177
Table of rotations for a good strong loam .177
Implement Drawings 178
THE FLAX INDUSTRY,
INTUoOrCTION.
Strong, energetical demonstrations and evident
facts have been of late brought forward to over-
come the prejudice which the agricultural public,
especially in England, had for Home time past
entertained against the flax culture. The task,
therefore, of advocating and supporting the flax
industry at so critical a moment was not a very
agreeable enterprise, considering the many op-
ponents it had to contend with. But in justice
it must be confessed that through the exertions
of a few individuals the former prejudices have
faded away, ami the flax culture has now become
tht topic of inquiry and of general interest, as
well in the agricultural as in the commercial
circle, and must necessarily ere long take its rank
amoug the most profitable staple commodities of
British agriculture and manufacture.
After having passed over almost every county
in England and Ireland, and having analysed
2 Till", flax INDUSTRY.
different sorts of soil and water, 1 can confidently
assert that this beautiful country is capable of
produciug as good and even better qualities of
flax than those countries from whence the finest
flax is actually imported; and it is a fact beyond
all dispute that its geographical position as well
as the elementary properties of the soil and water
an most admirably well adapted for the growth
and preparation of this valuable plant ; in fact, so
remarkable a combination of facilities for this in-
dustrial success is rarely to be met with. Let us,
therefore, avail ourselves of the advantages Pro-
vidence has favoured our soil and climate with.
For to America we have to look for our raw ma-
terial of cotton, for wool and silk we have to look
to other countries; but in point of flax it is quite
different, having every facility and advantage
given us to produce it in abundance.
The flax plant is without contradiction (sans
contredit) by far the most lucrative, productive,
and profitable plant that the soil can produce.
The llax plant is not only an agricultural plant,
but assumes at one and the same time the name
of commercial plant (plante commerciale).
Ju its agricultural form the flax plant produces
already infinitely more profit to the agriculturist
than any other agricultural plant.
However, it is only when the flax plant begins
U> assume her commercial form, that at every
3
stage of prucctfe the value increase* with an
amazing rapidity, and in accumulating the merit*
of the pi nit <>i both agricultural and commercial
( •li.u.u-u r. th. benefits derived from her produc-
inc use. Not forgetting that the social
and in ill t<l viintages derived from this wonderful
plant are not less worthy of serious and earnest
consideration. No ; there is not a stage in the
progress of this delicate plant, from the sowing
of the seed to the bringing forth of the exquisite
lace and cumin ir, which lias not given rise to
admiration ami tlm most refined investigation and
controversy.
Tim flax plant in point of producing articles of
luxury and ornament (for the fashionable world)
imthimj;, »ln mledly, will surpass the exquisite
>sels lace, called dentelle point de Bruxelles.*
W ilb this evident and wonderful fact before us of
what the flax plant can produce through the agency
iiiman skill and art, must we not look with
some jealous eye to our neighbour friends, and
• Mademoiselle Emma Roallier, of Rruasels, has exhibited at our
Great Exhibition a l'ocket-llandkerchtef, No. 309, " Mouchoir en
Dentelle, point de Bruxelles, en fil de lin travaill** entiercment,"
which hat been told in London at 500 fr.( or 20L Thie handker-
chief did not weigh more than 16 dwt. troy weight ; thus, in ralue,
surpassing gold by eight timet (calculated by weight). One acre of
flax can produce 1600 handkerchief* of that kind, which, at 20/.
each, shows a ram of 83,0001. Enormous as the amount produced
from an acre of flax may appear, 1 can aarare and prove that there
it no exaggeration in this atatemeot, nor in any other
made in this little work.
4 Tin: flax [NDU8TRI
inspire ourselves with the confidence that what-
ever they can produce in this branch of industry,
we can also ; the more when positively assured
th it the plant which produces such articles as
just alluded to finds in our soil all the nutri-
ment requisite (and even in B much higher
degree than in many other countries) to produce
all what is exquisite, in fact, of flax.
Prompted, therefore, and encouraged by tin
most evident facts, let us profit of the favours be-
stowed upon this country, favours which human
power neither can give nor take away.
It is therefore needless further to point out in
the form of an Introduction how earnestly com-
mon efforts should be directed to the introduction
and extension of a branch of industry, which in its
various departments affords, from a given surface
of land, employment to a greater variety of indi-
viduals than any other branch of human occu-
pation: the agriculturist, the manufacturer, the
machinist, and chemist- -all are equally occupied
in its cultivation and preparation.
Since the flax culture has been taken up with
so much spirit, numerous applications have been
made to me from agriculturists of all parts of the
United Kingdom for information upon the best
modes of growing and preparing the flax plant;
and in order to answer those numerous questions
at once. I came to the conclusion of writing
5
a few pages in tl a of a pamphlet,* in
which I have illustrated the different processes
(i with tin- flux industry, and especially
those modes which are so successfully adopted in
tli.it famous flax-growing country, Belgium. My
instructions and information have been sought
for with much avi<lit\ through the mediun
in n little work.
Having thus shown in my former little work
how tin- flux plant is to be grown and treated in
its after processes, I shall now endeavour to show
what great advantage this country will derive
from the culture and manufacture of this valuable
plant.
KUx : it* Cultivation and Management.' Publiabed by Ridg-
way, Piccadilly.
t\ THE I'l.AX INDUSTRY.
I.
The Origin and urgent Reasons for having intro-
duced tlie modern improved Methods of growing
and preparing the Flax Plant in Ireland.
The flax spinning and linen manufacture, the
most profitable staple commodity of the north of
Ireland, could scarcely for some time past hold
up competition in yarn and linen with foreign
nations owing to their inferior raw material
(flax), inferiority which was chiefly caused
through the mismanagement of the flax plant.
The evil consequence had become of such nature
that the linen manufacture and yarn spinning in
the north of Ireland was upon the point of losing
its rank in the commercial world. This state of
things could not last, or the flax spinners and
linen manufacturers must come to the conclusion
of entirely giving up the use of Irish flax, and
depend altogether upon the foreign raw material
(flax), or take some prompt and decisive steps to
improve their own flax.
This was the position in which the most pro-
fitable staple commodity of the north of Ireland
1KISH KLAX Him 7
was placed in 1841. The chief manufacturer*,
so well known for their commercial spirit, genius
ami enterprise, were well awar wbmbi
canse of their commercial degen origin-
ated | they had ample means to jiidji- the
nature of their Hax film*, that their ft il and cli-
mate were most admirably adapt, d Ibff th<> flax
plant ; tiny had, indeed, already often meditated
upon the means hy which this progressing evil
Id be remedied ; hut it was not altogether in
their reach to do so. The steps must be con-
jointly taken by the landlord, manufacturer, and
flax grower, and it consequently required a sort
<>t national association.
The most spirited gentlemen among the flax-
iners and linen manufacturers made, there-
fore, an i 1 1 demonstration to some of
hading landed proprietors, showing them
the urgent necessity of coming to some measures
to improve the culture and preparation of the
flax plant in the north of Ireland. It was with
that great object t! March, 1841, a society
was established at Belfast under the title of the
" Royal Flax Society for the Promotion and Im-
provement of the Growth of Flax in Ireland."
Permit me on this occasion to say, that a few
months after this I was chosen to be the tech-
nical instructor of this society; and although the
task was a very laborious one, I considered it my
8 i hi: ii.ax INDUSTRY.
duty to lend my humble services to promote so
important a national cause.
In hereafter quoting the first leading features
connected with the progress and the improve-
ments which were made during the first years of
the Flax Society's existence, 1 shall avoid, as much
as possible, to bring in my name and proceedings,
from fear that the public may think that by so
doing lam attempting to attribute to myself a
great share of the credit which is naturally due
to those individuals who have so earnestly ex-
erted themselves to promote this great branch of
industry. The most interesting and important
progress connected with the flax industry which
have taken place for the last ten years in the
United Kingdom are decidedly those that were
accomplished in 1841 and 1842 in the north of
Ireland. I feel therefore rather anxious to give,
in the commencement of this little work, a brief
sketch of some of the most striking improve-
ments which occurred during the two years that
1 had the pleasure of lending my humble services
to the Royal Flax Society.
ASI'KCT
II.
The Aspect, Agriculture, and Soil of Ireland.
I should fn»m my task in entering
upon agricultural or other matters further than
those connected with the flax plant ; but in patt-
ing I cannot refrain from expressing a notion
upon the aspect, soil, and Irish agriculture.
M\ native country, some parts of France and
Germany, being the only countries in which I
had travelled, and having read a good deal of th«
picturesque views and fertile soil of Ireland, I
felt naturally very anxious to see something from
which 1 had a favourable imaginary notion, the
more so because the country where I was brought
up, Flanders, is exceedingly low, flat, and un-
picturesque.
The coast before arriving at Dublin seemed to
me most charming; the picturesque views, espe-
cially at that season (June), made really a capti-
vating effect upon me. 1 remained in Dublin
for some days, and paid a few visits to the neigh-
bourhood, which appeared to me also most beau-
tiful, and the aspect of the country altogether I
admired much.
Hut in travelling from Dublin to Belfast, when
10 mi: ri. ax IND1
I began to give my attention to the agricultural
department, 1 could see nothing hut oats, not
having yet reached more than eight inches in
height; the potatoes had only begun to show
themselves; the few fields of wheat I could see
looked very poorly ; the fourth part of the land
was in pasture and lea;* and the weed< appealed
to be pretty predominant amongst all those crops.
Having but a few days previous left Belgium,
I had yet before me in imagination the wheat, flax,
rye, barley, oats, rape, &c, most of which crops had
already reached the height of a man ; indeed the
contrast between the crops of the two countries
was immense, and yet the good crops stood on
a poor soil (the Flanders), the others stood on a
soil rich enough to manure the soil of the Flan-
ders. Besides, the one country had to struggle
against powerful elements, — the other country, on
the contrary, was protected by those elements.
Unwillingness and neglect must therefore be the
only cause of this state of agriculture. Stupified
as I was, I questioned myself and said, Were
such lands in the hands of the Flemish farmer,
would he not make hi. more of each acre ? f I
• There is a great deal too much of pasture and lea in Ireland.
It is a very easy way of fanning to keep a large portion of a farm
under grass, but the soil should be almost in constant motion ; this,
at least, is a term used among the most active agriculturists.
t I regret to say that three-fourths of the Belgian farms range
from 20 to 00 acres, and this class of farmers, notwithstanding all
their industry, care, and ^ood husbandry, can seldom raise an fade-
US Of II 11
was fully convinced that he would do so, and in
consulting my memorandum-honk 1 faud that
Ireland bid "bout 1 3,000,000 acres of arahle land ;
tMl multiplied by f> showed m. the enormous sum
of 65,000,000/. If such immense losses of na-
il wealth were caused through evils over
which human power has no control, as is the
case in some countries, either from its geogra-
phic.J position, soil, or climate; hut Inland,
so h I in that respect, besides being go-
verned by th< mod eriferprisitlg nation of nations,
rd for not setting a better exam | »h"
to the agricultural world.* This state of things
may perhaps more or less be caused through in-
ternal amurs; this, however, I shall not attempt
to discuss, but shall only say that, whatever might
have given rise to such, it ought not to exi-r.
Between Lisburn and Belfast a few acres of flax,
the first I saw in Ireland, attracted my attention,
and in a few minutes we arrived in the latter town.
pendency, in consequence of their small occupation. It if only
those that farm from 180 to 150 acres that can do themselves some
good ; but this class of farmers often raise a capital of 20,000/.
in the course of fifteen or twenty years. There is a sort of tanners
who farm from 60 to 100 acres of their own property, who are gene-
rally also pretty well of.
* In giving a straightforward opinion on Irish agriculture I do
not wish to hurt the feelings of any individual. One thing I shall
amy is, Uiat 1 feel satisfied that many of the landlords, in the north
especially, give every inducement and example for improvement to
tenants. The numerous model farms I have seen during my
residence in Ireland are decidedly so systetnatically constructed that
nothing better can be
L9 T11K FLAX IN hi 81
III.
Defects in the Preparation of the Flax Plant and
its original Qualities.
Being now upon the spot where I had to begin
my task, it was rather an interesting moment for
me, yet I could not exactly satisfy my curiosity
so well as I should have wished, Captain Skinner
being for the moment in Belgium, where he had
gone with a few young gentlemen farmers to ac-
quire some notion of the treatment of the flax
plant ; but being most anxious to see some flax
fibre, I called at the extensive flax-spinning mill
of Mr. Mulholland, a member of the committee
of the Flax Society. One of the partners of the
firm was kind enough to accompany me in the
flax warehouse, where at least 300 tons of Irish
flax were piled up and tied in bundles
Nothing surprised me more than to see the
manner in which it was brought to market.*
Before having touched any flax fibre 1 could see
the slovenly and neglectful manner in which
Irish flax was brought to the spinners; but it was
only when the gentleman who accompanied me
* In Belgium the flax, after it is scutched and ready for market,
is packed up in bales the same as are raw silks.
DOTOTTYl PRKPAJUTft
began to give roe some samples in my hands
that 1 wis «|uit. ;iv\;nv ofthl «-• >ni|ilete mismanage-
ment of the fibre. My first expression I shall
always recollect was, C est fait par fantaisU, au-
trement cest impassible. Some samples were
Steeped to such a degree that tin- lit. re had coin-
I l<t<l\ lost its natural strength; it could not
• fore be expected to produce a strong, durable,
manufactured article from a raw material which
was mm ii deteriorated.
This was one cause of the decrease of the linen
m mufacture in In land.
Another sample was shown me for inspection
which I found not watered enough, a defect
which causes the flax fibre to be of coarse, fra-
gile nature : thus the articles manufactured of
>m h rmi m itnmls are also of a coarse, fragile
texture fabric, another great cause of the dege-
neration of the flax and linen manufacture.
Other samples shown me were mixed with blue,
grey, and black colours ; and very badly cleansed
and handled. These different colours, when spun
and woven up together, must necessarily produce
linen texture of a very inferior quality, through
tli* »ln\ ndiness of which the spinning and linen
manufacture had also to sutl. r i <>nsiderabl\ .
M\ great anxiety to see some flax fibre was to
insure myself of the original quality of the Irish
flax. Had its original quality not been good,
1 1 TIIK KLAX INDIVI
tin improvements we were about to make should
have been very limited, and consequently would
have lost much of their merits and importance ;
because, whatever superior treatment may l>e
given to the flax fibre, it is impossible to bring it
to a great superiority if tin hi do not possess
some good original qualities : of course a com-
mon quality of flax can be improved to a certain
degree by a superior treatment.*
1 have now justly, and in a few words, depre-
cated the Irish flax fibre in several of its modes
of preparation ; but one great feature connected
with this important branch of national industry
is, that I had convinced myself, after a most
subtle and careful examination, that I had traced
in the Irish flax fibre submitted to my inspection
some original qualities, the value of which is
incalculable. Upon this great fact all the future
improvements and success of the enterprise were
based.
• Inferior qualities of Belgian flaxes, by their superior treatment,
often assume a good appearance ; but these are partly artificial
qualities, by which the fabricant makes good profits, and by which
the manufacturer is often a loser, as those flaxes will not spin the
number for which they were intended. It is, therefore, in the in-
terest of the flax-spinners to send good judges to the Belgian flax
markets.
15
IV
Defect in the Flax scutching.
Captain Skinner had now returned from
Belgium witli the deputation of young gentl-
nun farmers and some Belgian labourers who
were brought over ready for the pulling cam-
paign, the tunc of winch wag near at hand; but
1 was very anxious before this busy time arrived
to visit some scutching-mills, in order to intro-
duce with out delay some improved machinery,
being well aware, from the flax I had just ex-
amined, that i he existing flax-scutching ma-
chinery must be of the mo>t pitiable descript
1 therefore strongly impressed upon the secretary
rge the committee to take some prompt and
iaive steps to improve the scutching ma-
chinery, proving that, amongst the numerous
defects 1 had found in the preparation of the
flax fibre, the slovenly manner in which the
scutching operation was performed was decidedly
one of the greatest defects, an evil which fell
rely and directly upon the flax spinuer, and
was one of the chief causes of the languishing
state of the staple manufacture of the north of
Ireland.
16 TIIK FLAX INDISTIIV.
The committee, therefore, desirous to accelerate
by every possible means any improvement which
was strongly recommended, came at once to the
conclusion to despatch me, accompanied with an
interpreter, to some of the most intelligent
owners of scutching-mills, and to suggest any
improvement in machinery which I thought
proper. At the same time the committee came
also to the conclusion of offering 100/. for the
best invented scutching machinery, as will be
seen by an extract from the report of 1842,
alluding to the subject as follows: — "As to the
effect of premiums offered last year by your So-
ciety for the improvement of machinery, your
Committee assure the meeting that through the
United Kingdom it has awakened attention to
the subject and aroused a great spirit of compe-
tition, for everywhere around us, and even from
abroad, have reports reached your Secretary of
preparations made by individuals to compete.
Several models of considerable merit have, how-
ever, now been exhibited, two id particular, one
for breaking and one for scutching flax, by Mr.
Montgomery, Grove Mills, Belfast, which the
Committee can recommend to the public as
being calculated from its simplicity, comparative
cheapness, from its doing work well, and giving
from the straw a higher yield than mills now in
general use, so much as to average above 24 lbs.
17
of nlomod flax from tin- 100 lbs. of straw ; tl
have also adjudged it worthy of the 25/. pre-
mium at present; for as several machin
been reputed to be in progress, they deemed it
• lit n! t<> keep open the higher premiums of
100/. for yet another year, when, should none
superior in its qualities be efiered to the public
. Mr. Mont. s it will become entr
to the bi( l by youi Soei-
The new-oon king mill from .Mr.
Montgom rv was decidedly a wonderful improve*
iiunt upon the old machinery. Several expo
rimenta were tried under my own superinten-
den« saving in the quantity of flax was 25
per cent, and in the quality about 20 per cent.
I bare had greal pleasure in recommending
machinery to the public in my pamphlet
published last year bearing the title of ■ 1
Cultivation and Manageim
1^ THE Fl.AX INDUSTRY.
V.
Suggested Improvem< nt* in the Scutching Ma-
chinery and Handling of the Flax.
The flax-scutching mills about Londonderry,
Coleraine, and Ballymoney were completely con-
structed to destroy to a great amount both the
quality and quantity of the flax fibre. The im-
provements that I have suggested in that part of
the country in machinery, and especially in skil-
ful handling, may be estimated at 40 per cent,
upon the old, slovenly, and destructive method.
This great saving in one single process must give
an idea in what state the flax fibre was brought
to market at that period.
I was really astonished to see this neglectful
state of things, the more so when I saw those
powerful waterfalls which cause so much eco-
nomy to this process (scutching), for it is re-
markable to meet so many combinations of
facilities all pointing out immense advantages
which Ireland possesses in favour of a rapid pro-
gress in the flax industry.
The following extract from my journal will
prove that the flax -growers and mill-owners were
RU0QK8TRD IMTROVKMBNTK. 19
eager in some dfatarieti to need iiistructiotit
and information : —
IW.^hinilU, May 9th.— Mr. Deinan has attended this day
at a public meeting in the court-house, Sir F. W. Macnagbten
in the chair ; when, previous notice having been given, there
was a very respectable attendance, and all present were exceed-
ingly well pleased with the valuable information and inv
tions afforded by him. A great variety of questions were put
n by several of the company, to which he gave most satis-
factory answers. It would be most desirable that he should
come to this neighbourhood at the time of the pulling, as
that is a very important stage of the process of managing flax.
1 . Macnaghten having been obliged to leave the
meeting, Mr. Trial was voted into the chair, when the above
testimony in Mr. Dentaii's favour was pasted unanimously.—
(Signed) William Trial.''
" Monsieur U Secretaire Capitaine Skinner.
" M oxst sua, Colorstoc, le 1 1 Mai.
• Ie trouve la machinerie des moulins a teiller le lin
d'nne construction deeastreose et miserable. La perte causee
par le systeme actuel u'est pas moins de 25 per cent., et celle
causee dans la qua) it* • n'e»t u na que 25 per cent. 11
faudra une reformation complete dans la machinerie, et il
sera aussi indispensable que des ouvriers Beiges soient envoyes
poor instruire les ouvriers d'ici a manier le lin d'une ina-
nlete plus adroite et geutille; car lemal reste encore plus dans
la maladresse des ouvriers que dans la machinerie. Plusieurs
eultivateurs paraissent disposes a suivre mes avis et eoosctls.
Je leur ai fortement recommande la machinerie de Mr. Mont-
gomery, Grove Mill, Belfast.
" Je suis, votre tout devout,
r. Dbmai •'
So early as 1844 the Society in its annual
report gave the foUvWIig favourable account of
0 I
20 Tin: ri.w inmstiiy.
the improvements which had heen accomplished
in the scutching department during the last two
years : —
" Amongst the most pleasing features in the progress of
improvement which your Committee have to notice, are the
strides toward- perfection that have been made during the
past years in the adoption of machinery to the breaking and
scutching of flax. The prices offered for machinery by the
Society last year gave an impetus to the Ingenuity of ma-
chinists, which continues still in full force. Your Committee
have heard with pleasure of new inventions or improvements
on former adaptations which have been very successful when
practically applied ; and the most marked superiority in the
manner in which flax is at present handled is the consequence.
Several large landed proprietors have at great cost erected
scutch-mills on their estate for the benefit of their tenantry,
containing the most approved machinery; and they have thus
conferred a boon which does honour to themselves, and is
fully appreciated by their tenants. Your Committee have
every reason to hope that in a short time flax-breaking and
scutching machinery will be brought to a high state of per-
fection, and that the Society will no longer have to lament
the inefficiency and waste which characterised the Irish scutch-
mills before the commencement of the Society's labours/'
On my return to Belfast from a tour in several
counties I was requested by the Secretary to call
apoo the President of the Flax Society, the Mar-
quis of Downshire, at Hillsborough, to whom
I had a letter of introduction. His Lordship
availed himself of my visit by putting to me
numerous and interesting questions, which indi-
cated that his Lordship took a considerable in-
terest in the improvements of the flax industry.
00B8TRD IMPROVEMENTS. 2 \
lli> Lordship observed that the Irish farmer was
slow in adopting inn<>
me this warning in onl< r that I may not be dis-
appointed wht-n I met some difficulties in my way.
His Lordship also observed that he was q
aware that it would require several years before
tli« great reformations and improvements whieh
tin Society bad In view could be accomplished.
1 1 Lordship gave DM I list of some of his most
Intelligent tenant tarn |ucsting me to call
upon them. He advised me in all circumstances
tomakr the first attempt upon clever, intelligent
fanners, because, his Lordship observed, that on
tlit- success of the first experiment much would
depend. His Lordship requested me to write a
short treatise expressing my opinion upon the
qualifications of Irish soil and climate, and espe-
cially as to its suitableness for the growth of fi
The treatise was appended to the first annual
Report of the Plai Bo< 1841.
22 'mi: ti.ax ini»isti;v.
VI.
FLw-j >ul/in0 in 1841.
Here the great moment for action is arrived.
A few weeks will suffice to save 480,000/. to the
Irish flax-growers! 60,000 acres of flax are
thrown for the first time upon the care and
discretion of the Flax Society. Half-a-dozen of
intelligent young Irish farmers and a few Belgian
labourers are placed under my superintendence,
and with this small body I must set out to save to
the flax-growers the sum alluded to.* For more
than two centuries flax has been extensively
grown in Ireland, and thus each year the sum
of 480,000/. has been thrown away. This un-
doubtedly has contributed to some extent to tin
present state of things in Ireland. But now at
least while the means are given to you,! put a
stop to one of these evil causes.
Farmers, flax-growers, I come to announce to
you that I bring you on each acre of flax that
you have grown this season 4/. more than ever
you made before from your flax-crop. J Save your
* I speak in my capacity of technical instructor of the Society,
f To the flax-growers.
X The seed is worth 4/. per acre for feeding cattle and pigs ; ilii-,
upon 60,000 acres, amounts to 240,fKXV.
IN l«41. ■
flax-seed, it will give good food for your caul.-
and abundance to yourself! Nay, 1 must offer ym
follow my hftber instruction, and Ins ill
give you an . more for each acre of this
year's flax-cro|).# Will you accept this offer, or
will you refuse it | 11 ax-growers, agriculturists,
show at least that you are not ungrateful to those
who are watching so closely for your interests. +
But know that art and skill an tin agents who
will |>av \<>u tin*., reward.
Notwithstanding tin. facilities given to the Irish
flax-growers, three-fourths of them haw remained
Indifferent for the hurt ken years to the generous
appeal of the Flax Society; but of all the great
defects which still exist in the various processes
nee ted with the flax industry, none are so
lamentable, so evidently absurd, and so much
opposed to every good sense and economy, as to
throw away such a valuable artiele n the flax-
seed, and for no other purpose than to cause dis-
eases.^ The matter is indeed grave enough for
* In following the directions and i nut ruction* of pulling, stee]
spreading, and turning the flax, at least 4/. more would be ,
upon each acre ; this, upon 60,000 acres, amounts' to 240,000/.,
■ Inch together with saving the seed amounts to 480,000/.
f The committee of the Flax Society, landlords, and others, who
support the Society.
X When the seed is taken from the flax, steeping is a moat plea-
sant process ; hut, on the contrary, when the seed is thrown in the
water BSpUaV WS* »»"• !«, tlu
may in some instances canst
24 tin: ii.ax INDUSTRY.
ilir Legislature to interfere and to put a stop to
such a wilful waste of property.
The flax question has often, and from early
ti nits, been under legislative consideration. A
writer on flax says,
" The question of flax culture is one which is not now for
the first time brought before the public. On the contrary, if-
i in portance has been recognised from the earliest times; and
it has formed the subject of repeated legislative enactments
at various periods, from tin* time of the 24th of Henry VIII.,
when it was enjoined that every person occupying land apt
for tillage, should, for every sixty acres, sow one rood at least
with flax,"
down to the year 1809, when a sum of 20,000/.
was appropriated to encourage the saving of
flax seed in Ireland. The subject has also been
repeatedly before the public during the last
ten years, in the annual Reports of the Royal
Irish Flax Society, and in the various publica-
tions of Mr. Warnes and other persons who have
applied themselves to its cultivation.
Again, the Royal Flax Society, in its last
annual Report, alluding to the saving of the flax-
seed, demonstrates, in convincing terms, the im-
portance of this economy, alluding to the subject
as follows : —
M Year after year the annual Reports have contained
earnest recommendations that the seed of the Irish flax -crop,
instead of being set with the stems in the pools, should l><-
taken off by rippling, to be employed for sowing, sold to the
oil-mills, or used by the farmer as food for his live stock.
m iso. M
The Soeit nietort have constantly endeavoured to in-
culcale the importance of thU economy ; but to deeply rooted
|i tin pwjadiee against wiving the seed, that t* yet it U only
to a limited extent that farmer* have attended to this advice.
It has been repeatedly stated, that in all the flax-growing
countries of the world the teed it tared ; and that the finett
lettfch flax, rarely equalled iu Ireland, is produced from
plant* from which the teed hat been taken. Many farmers
will not be convinced, and ttill continue to throw away a part
•• produce for which the crop it alone cultivated in tome
tries, where the straw is used at thatch. Your Com-
nrittet are, howevt ''""it hope that a more rational
practice will creep in by degrees ; and they are pleased to
learn that this year about 8000 bushel* of rippled teed have
been purchased at the Belfast oil -in ill*, from a few districts in
the county of Down. When it is calculated that at least
100,000 acres of flax have been tteeped in Ireland this year,
uitliout the teed having been taken off, and that the latter, at
mere crushing prices, would be worth 300,000/., this lament-
able lota of national wealth, which would alone be sufli
to feed 100,000 pau)>crs annually, must be deeply deplored."
flax-straw, in the course of four weeks,
passes through tour successive processes — pulling,
rippling, steeping, and grassing. There was great
ii and all of those processes. The
tlax was pulled \<tv unevenly; the short and
long were pulled together; coarse and fine, and
portions of the fields that were lying, were also
mixed together in the pulling. Instead of which,
all these different qualities must be separated,
as each sort requires a different time of steeping.
lii is method gives decidedly more trouble; but
when the people are ikilfullj instructed, tin extra
expenses are but trifling, considering the advau-
M tin: ii.w i\ni>Ti;v
tages this new method lias upon the wasteful
niaiiiicr in which it was before done. Hence it
is from this pitiable neglect that results the un-
equal strength and quality of the fibre, so very
deteriorating to the texture fabric.
To the enormous loss of not taking off the seed
I have already alluded.
The steeping is a process of much importance,
and yet requires nothing but care and proper
attention to have the flax steeped in all its natural
strength. This process was also much neglected,
by which, in some instances, the flax fibre lost
half its value. The grassing : — In this process
the flax must be spread equal and regularly on
the grass, and turned over every two or three
days, instead of which the Irish farmers spread
it on the grass almost like hay, in one place
thick, in another thin, and without turning it at
all : consequently one part of the flax was ex-
posed to the atmosphere during ten or twelve
days, but quite the contrary was the other side.
From this resulted unequal colour, and in many
instances a loss of 20 per cent, upon its value.
Almost all the supporters of the Society, and
the advocates of the cause of improvements, were
anxious to be visited by one of our instructors.
Indeed it was a pleasure to call upon those who
were prepared to follow the advice of the Society,
because every man of good sense must evidently
FLAX-PULUM in 1H41.
see that the super I the Belgian methods
were immense. It attracted, in many instances,
large bodies of peoj 1 t«> the BeUf where the dif-
ferent processes were performed. In fact, some
gentleman or other gave generally notice that on
lay one of the Society's instructors was to
arrive, and that the varlooi processes then in
i would be illustrated. This indeed was a
capital plan to in-trm 4 die whole neighbourhood
at once, it being impossible to call at every flax-
field, the applications to the Soci. tv for instructors
being so very numerous that all could not lie
attended to, the time during which those foursuc-
cessive processes are performed being very short.
The amount of good, however, that has been
already aeoompliebed during the first season of
the Society's existence is immense; and one im-
portant feature connected with the great en
prise is, that it has been evidently proved that
tin- original quality of Irish flax is superior to
that of several other flax-growing countries;
and when the improvements are accomplished in
all theif extent, Irish flax will necessarily have
ited to 100 percent, in value
2S TIIK FLAX INDl'STKV.
VII.
Flax Factor.s/u/'.
In order to introduce the growth of flax more
systematically, and as a great encouragement to
the farmers to increase the growth of flax, I re-
commended strongly to the Committee the esta-
blishment of the flax factorship. The Committee
approved mucli of my proposal, as will be seen
by a passage extracted from the Society's annual
Report of 1842:—
4< The introduction of such a system would thus perma-
nently establish amongst us the fullest amount of improvement
that our soil and climate may be capable of; and your Com-
mittee have sanguine hopes that the period is not far distant
when this branch of business will be taken up with spirit.
Useful suggestions were given on this subject by Mr. Deman,
who was himself a factor of long experience, in the treatise
last published by him, to the public, and which was appended
to the first annual Report, and has been exemplified most
satisfactorily and successfully by him this season, in the treat-
ment of a small quantity of flax which he had purchased on
the foot, on his own account, in the neighbourhood of Mayo.
This flax turns out equal to the finest qualities of Courtrai
flax imported, as proved by the price actually obtained for it,
being at the rate of 18*. per stone, or 140/. per ton."
ra M
\ III.
Preparation of the Land to grow Flax in Irei
Since my arrival En Ireland, tin* different pro-
cesses connects I with i Icli I had to super-
id came in a < nurse of succession, and therefore
I bad nut had an opportunity of suggesting im-
proN in the pn
th. sowing of the Bax-aeedj and having now
visited almost every district in the north of Ire-
land, I was convinced that, in order to lay a
good foundation for the farther rapid progress
Dg the tla\ industry, another im-
portant step was required from the agriculturists
flax-growers. The first defects in the flax fibre
were caused thron. had management of
the land. Short and long, coarse and fine flax,
in one and the same field, are decidedly the con-
sequences of the land being ploughed in furrows,*
and the seed being sown unevenly-! In Belgium
the land is always ploughed twice, sometimes
more, according to the state which the land is
* The tlax that grows in and near the furrow will be abort ; land
for flax should be properly drained and sown flat.
t The spots where the seed is thin will produce a coarse plant ;
where the seed is thick it will produce s fine plant. It most be
understood that a coarse branchy plant produces always coarse fibre,
and the delicate fine plant produces fine silky fibre.
30 Tin-: r:.\\ INDUSTRY.
in. (iivat care is taken to sow the seed very
evenly, and to select the best seed.* It is almost
impossible to form an idea of the care and atten-
tion the Belgian fanner tak< - in preparing bit
land and selecting good seed for the eulture of
this plant, knowing that such is indispensable to
secure a good crop. In a word, it must be si id
that it is upon the proper preparation of the land,
sowing good seed, and sowing evenly, that the
whole success of the flax improvements in its after
processes are based.
It was under such considerations that I advised
Captain Skinner, the Secretary, to impress upon
the Committee the great necessity to send a few
young intelligent farmers to Belgium, in order
that they may acquaint themselves with the prac-
tical knowledge of the manner in which the land
was prepared and the flax-seed was sown in that
country.
The Committee, always ready to avail itself
of any suggestion by which the views of the So-
ciety could be accelerated, sent over to Belgium
four young men. Two of them I had great plea-
sure in recommending to a near relative of mine,
• The seed sown in Belgium is partly imported from Riga, an<l
partly from their own growth. The seed sown in Ireland is
rally bad foreign seed, and full of weeds, the extraction of which
never was thought of. It is easy to conceive that an accumulation
of those weeds, together with those already rooted in the soil, must
be pernicious to this delicate plant.
IMiKlwim:
with I r. -.pi. -t to gif« t; rinatiuii
respecting flux. The numerous letters wri
from Belgium bj those young men were all pub-
lished by theCommititM'; ami I give hereafter the
first letter of each of tin -m, dated from the dif-
Dl <|u titers where they were sent: —
" At the committee meeting of this Society for the month
of April, it was adjudged that a summary of the proceeding*
since the issuing of the Report of last December would prove
highly interesting at this moment, and especially so the ex-
tracts from the journals and letters of the young farmers
lately sent Be%hm to take a practical lesson on the
preparation of the soil for the flax crops and the sowing of
the seed. To farmers generally it will prove instructive,
marking the impression made on the deputation by the care
and labour given in the tillage of the land by the Belgian
farmer, the admirable system of agriculture everywhere insti-
tuted in that country, which includes all the modern improve-
ments of draining, subsoiling, green cropping, and judicious
rotation. which our agricultural societies are universally en-
deavouring to introduce amongst us; and the very active,
diligent, ami industrious habits of the people, with their extra-
ordinary frugality and management of manures, collecting it
from sources, preserving it with care, and applying it with a
consideration and judgment never calculated on by us. To
the landed proprietors, from a perusal of the shrewd remarks
made by these practical parties, it will be obvious that
advantages most accrue to those districts of country from
■ hid. ta*M young men are from time to time selected : being
intelligent, and the most highly recommended of the candi-
dates offering, and having facilities afforded them whilst tra-
velling under the Society's auspices, and with such suitable
m-tions abroad as few individuals could command, these
young farmers have opportunities of seeing and acquiring
more than the public would generally infer irom the limited
HI MB n.AX immviky.
'I during which they ore absent; and on their return,
labouring, as they are called on to do, as agriculturist- for tin
Society; to introduce the Improvement! the} have been wit-
nessing, they an- stimulated to an exertion wldeh, were tin v
left to themealref, they would not have theo^portnnitiet, and
might soon lose tli" inclination to keep up; and as the no-
velty and first impressions wore oft', old habit) and views might
gradually be resumed. But in their present case, the objects
of an influential Association are to be promoted, as well as
the individual credit and interest of the parties being at stake ;
and having the occasional visits and association of the Belgian
superintendent agriculturist (Mr. Deman), and the labourers
brought over from time to time to assist him, ensue under
all these circumstances a progressive improvement, and a
ripening of conviction that will effectually guard against re-
trograding into former opinions. The good likely to arise to
the country from these measures must be readily Admitted,
and that much may be effected through the agency of tin-;
Society, if its efforts are but adequately supported for a few
years, and it but meets with the co-operation from all parties
(but especially landed proprietors) which the importance of
its ends in view so well merit.
" In January, 1842, the committee determined on sending
a deputation out in spring to witness the preparation of the
soil and the sowing of the seed.
" Two to be of those who visited last year, and two fresh
parties, who were selected from the list of the former candi-
dates."
" SlB, "Duffel, Monday, March 21, 1842.
"I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any infor-
mation respecting the subject of the deputation as yet, as here
they have not commenced to lay down the crops, nor will
they for a week to come. However, we are instructing our-
selves in their art of tillage; and I can confidently I
you, that until I came here I had <»nl\ heard of agriculture ;
but now I have seen it. It is very easy indeed to draw a
PREPARATION OK TBI LANI>. 33
line of demarcation between the Belgian and Irub fanner*.
The one U vigilant, industrious, and completely maater of hie
boaineai ; the other is no tradesman, and a sluggard, who
know* not what labour is, nor does he know how to convert
hi» land to a good purpoae. He would scarcely believe it, if
he were told, that here they take two crops off the same
ground mi tin* name year, nor could be be brought to think it
practicable. However, it is a fact that, by sowing green
crops, such as carrots, with his wheat, rye, or oats, and on
stubble, he will put in turnips, or plant rape; and in this way
secures to himself an abundance of green crops, which serves
to feed his cattle iif the house (for they never get out here).
We have seen some ground which is in preparation for flax,
and I never saw ground for garden seeds prepared with more
care and attention. Might I take the liberty of requesting
you to write to my friends, to say we are v. <
•• I rniiaiii. Sir, yours,
I/. Skinner, E^q." :"B"T Btnrrmo.
K, !lamme,M*rchS6, 1841.
I arrived here yesterday evening, after having been tra-
x 1 1 ling for the last three days with Mr. D . Mr. Haslet t
was with us. We were forty miles above Lou vain, in the
Walloon country, seeing a scutching machine, which Mr.
D strongly recommended, and which I am convinced
would suit the IrUli farmer Vffl ; it is osj tin- sjsjat principal
as our thrashing-machines, and is worked by two horses;
eight men can scutch at once, and each man can clean 45 lbs.
of flax per day, and it is done so well that Mr. D assures
in* that flax will bring 10/. per ton more in the market than
the same done by hand.* This machine does the work well
* I have every reason to think Mr. 1). means to say that it u
worth 10/. less than the flax scutched by hand. If the Belgian
(actor was offered to have his flax scutched gratis by the
mills he would refuse the offer, knowing too well the great waste it
causes, and the inferior quality it produces. So long as there are
hands enough to scutch the flax by hand, it will be done so in that
D
34 Till! I'LAX INDUSTRY.
without the least waste, and the expense of putting one up
would be very trifling, as all the ma< •liim -ry in it is very
simple ; and I am sure a large fanner would save all the ex-
pense of putting it u]) in one year, or two at most ; to any one
having a thrashing-mill it would be still cheaper.
" No flax sown here yet, the weather is so backward ; but
all are ready to commence. The ground everywhere is pre-
pared, and has more the appearance of a garden plot than
anything else I know of; it has Inch ploughed three times,
and in some instances (where the land is any way heavy)
four times. The crops here look remarkably well, particularly
the wheat, which certainly looks better here, and is further
forward, than ours in May. If such weather as we have to-day
continues, flax sowing will be general, and over in a week.
" Tiie kindness and attention of your friend Mr. D
surpass anything I could believe ; he has dedicated three days
to us entirely, and must have put himself to considerable ex-
pense. As soon as I see any sowing, I will write again.
" I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
" Thomas Hardy."
" SlR, " Duffel, March 29, 1842.
" The instructions which I received previous to setting
out on my present mission included, among others, one item
with which I shall attempt to comply, viz. to write to the
secretary, although I have little to communi< ate that may be
regarded as having any particular reference to the great object
contemplated by the Society in sending out the deputation to
this country.
" On first view of this country I was struck with wonder
at the difference which exists between the modes of agricul-
ture pursued here and those followed in Ireland ; here the
rotation system is fully understood, and practised to its fullest
extent ; in fact, this country, as far as I have seen of it yet,
country ; it is a slow process, but it does not signify so long as it is an
economical one, and gives employment to the labouring class.
!'REPAl:Allus OF THH I. a N
may justly be compared to a garden on a large scale, in which
all the different divisions are laid out and cultivated with the
rision and exactmei. Indeed, I am convinced that
Belgian farmer manages ** folds ™* »r more care and
than the generality of Irish bestow on their gardens i
if the fiumers here regard one kind of crop with mora
in another, and bestow mora care and ■Mention
on its culture, it i* the flax crop. Although, owing to the
wetness of the weather, farming operations of all kinds have
born considerably retarded, yet throughout this
hood mads intended for flax are in different stages of
nest ; but no flax has been sown as yet in this neighbourhood.
I have also paid attention to their mode of hand-scutching, an
operation in which they display wonderful skill and ingenuity
indeed. I am led to think that a good deal of the diflerence
which there is between the Belgian and Irish flax is to be
traced to the diflerence which there is between their modes of
ding ; and I am fully of opinion that, were the hand*
scutching system introduced into Ireland, and the same care
and attention bestowed then* that the people of this bestow
in the operation, the superiority of the Belgian flax over the
I ri>h would in a little time cease to exist, and would only be
known as matter of history ; nor would Ireland then be an-
nually drained of those vast sums which are now sent to this
country for an article which our country would then supply
in as great perfection as it is found here at present.9 I am
glad to be able to say that the weather appears to have taken
a tut better. ;unl. aVmJd it continue favourabl
tome time, I hope to be able in my next letter to treat mora
definitely on nutters connected with my mission to this coun-
try, such as the preparation of ground for sowing of the seed,
together with the subsequent processes with which the people
of this country treat the culture of this very interesting crop.
• If half of the flax grown in Ireland was scutched by hand it
would create employment to thousands which are now idle through
want of employment. Besides, the flax would fetch a much higher
pries in the market ; a remark justly made by this Mr. Lawson.
d a
M THE PL AX INMSTKY.
•• I cannot allow myst-If to finish thi> letter w it hout giving
expression to feelings of gratitude and esteem, which the kind-
ness of these people have insjiirnl within me. On my land-
ing at Osteni, on first view of the natives I was very much
prepossessed in their favour, and I can now say, after a re-
sidence of nearly a fortnight among them, that for honest
simplicity and unaffected kindness they could not be surpassed
by those of any country. They are cleanly in their persons,
polite in their manners, and generally well educated. I hope,
Sir, on receipt of this, that you will favour me with a line,
containing any further inttroeriom which you may deem ne-
cessary to give me.
" I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
4> .loSKI'II LAW80N.
" C. M. G. Skinner, Esq., Belfast:*
" StR, " Hamme, March 30, 1842.
" I mentioned in my last that I had come to Antwerp, for
the purpose of going to Louvaine with Mr. D , and from
that to the Walloon district. He was to have gone on Tues-
day, but business prevented him going before Thursday.
One principal object in going was to see a flax-mill ; but we
found a great deal more worth seeing than we expected. The
mill I think calculated, in every respect, to meet the views of
the Society, and I am almost sure, were they to get one put
up on the same principle (with some improvements), that
they would save the 100/. offered as a premium. The whole
machinery is driven by two horses, and has stocks for eight
men to work at. Enclosed you have a draft, as like it as I
can draw it. The only thing I saw wanting was rollers.
Three men were bruising the flax with crigs, the same as we
do ; the stocks are exactly like what you got from Courtrai,
only stronger, and firmly screwed down. The handles are
not so sharp, nor near so heavy, as what we use in our mills.
The farmer let us see flax dressed by the mill, and the same
flax dressed by hand, and Mr. D decided in favour of
that dressed by the mill. One of the farmers we visited
ntKPARATION or I 37
always dew-riped hit flax till la*t year, when be steeped a
to try it, and he says the difference U so great that he
Mill »teep it all for the future. We visited four different
farmer*, and taw all the land they intended fur flax this innon.
It had all received a third ploughing, and had been very
highly manured. Some of them said it would require a
i ploughing, on account of ao much rain having fallen.
Wheat is always town after flax, and gets a great quantity of
Use. Flax U generally town the second year after potatoes,
and very often after white clover, being one year lea. Flax
sowing in the Walloon district does not commence before Use
middle of April ; nor is the flax sown at Hamme yet, except
on very sandy land, and I believe their principal objt<
sowing it so early is to have it above ground before the
drought sets in to prevent it from braiding, and to keep the
sun from burning up the land. All the best of the land is to
sow yet, and a great deal of it to plough. The weather is
still very wet, and some of the land, I am sure, less than
eight days of good weather will not dry it for the seed. The
light sandy land is all ploughed in January and February, six
inches deep. It remains in this state till seed-time, when it
is well harrowed before the seed is sown. The teeth of the
harrow is not more than 2h inches long. Between harrowing
for the teed and the sowing, the liquid manure is put on when
the land requires it The preparation of the good land is
what I wanted to see most. The sandy land is fit for sowing
after the plough, it is so loose ; but the other turns up some-
thing like our own, and requires more pulverising. I would
to know what kind of weather you have in Ireland. I
think, if it be as bad as here, I will be home time enough by
the middle of April. Planting potatoes is the only thing that
can be done here in the sandy land.
Your obedient servant,
u EUw Hasuctt.
If. Skimmer,
Secretary to the Flax Society.**
38 tin: i'i.ax industry.
IX.
Sowing Season.
The amount of knowledge which those young
men had acquired during their sejour in J >* 1 -
gium was of incalculable value, especially for
the sowing seasons. Those young men could
now give evidence of what they had witnessed
respecting the culture of the flax plant in a re-
nowned flax-growing country.
The season of sowing the flax seed being now
arrived in Ireland,* a small body of eight young
men (all of whom had been over to Belgium)
besides myself were now again deputed to those
flax growers who had expressed a wish to have
the services of an instructor. I was specially
requested by the Committee to pay particular
attention to the flax growers in the county of
Tyrone, where it was considered that the greatest
ignorance prevailed respecting the preparation of
the soil and the sowing of the seed.
At my arrival in that county, I found
many fields ready, as the farmers told me, for
sowing the seed ; but what must be my surprise
when I saw the land in such a coarse, slovenly,
unprepared state ! the smallest lumps upon
several fields were larger than a fist, some so
• 1842.
M
Urge as a bead, besides weeds in abundance.0
I asked ii tin- m the manner in which tbey
bad always sown their flax seed; the answer
was Yes, saying that they thought their land
was wis will prepared, and did not IM wlial
Id be dona nan to it. 1 asked them if
thought that this delicate flax seed was
likely to penetrate through those large -
lamps o ft* and if the seed would tin
well amongst all those pernicious weeds. Upon
arks tlxir answer was as follows: — We
have grown flax in this neighbourhood for in
many years, and it often pays us better than any
other crop, and we should grow more of it if t h*
sowing-seed did not come so expensive.! 1
marked, then, as they found the seed for sow
so expensive, why did tbey not save their owu,
that the seed saved from one acre would give
rlnm sowing-seed for eight acres;! but they
• I would have recommended to plough their fields orer again,
and to bring tome moisture to the top, which would have given
great facility to bring it to a fine tilth, but they were not disposed
to put themselves to any extra trouble.
lore I asked to see the seed they were about to sow. It wsa
bad foreign seed, s fourth of which wss weeds. I told them that
they must clean that seed, otherwise that this seed would for ever
in their field* and make their land .till wore* than it actually
was. But how were they to extract thoae weeda ? Tbey had never
seen a sieve by which this process ia performed.
X Twenty bushels would be about the produce of the seed, or
perhaps more ; consequently, that the seed of one sore could supply
sowing-eeed (pr eight acres, la not this sbuse a matter of surprise ?
10 THK FLAX INDUSTRY.
Ifaongbl that taking of the seed injured the flax ;
but yet, they said, they had never tried it. I
observed that I should call next season at the
pulling time, and bring rippling combs and men
to show them how to take off the seed, and that
this seed was worth 4/. per acre; but for the
present I must advise them to roll I heir fields
intended for flax with a very heavy roller ; after
that, harrow it up, roll it again, and repeat the
harrowing ; that this was the only means to break
the lumps,* besides requesting them to pick up
the weeds carefully : in so doing I assured them
that their flax crop would realise much more
money than it did before. Upon this remark I
received the following reply : — We have no objec-
tion to pick up some of the largest weeds, but we
cannot roll, because we have no such things as
rollers, nor are there any in this neighbourhood.
I must confess that it is rather a melancholy
task I have imposed upon myself to hint, from
time to time, upon the extraordinary, wilful
ignorance in Irish husbandry, and the indolent,
wasteful, slovenly habits which are to be met in a
great portion of the Irish peasantry. If in common
agriculture and husbandry there was something
very scientific or above the reach of those people,
* The land is very stiff and heavy in that part of Ireland. In
such lands, after the last ploughing, the harrowing and rolling should
immediately follow, it being much easier in so doing to bring the
land to a fit condition for sowing.
SOWING REASON. 4 1
could he excused ; hut every thing connected
with coiimi'Ui Igrtaril 1 husbandry is so
plainly pointed out in itself, of what is to he done
and what is not to be dour, in order to create them
r comfort and ease; but really those people
seem to be quite imhtlrrvnt to any suggestions
which tend to improve their social position. •
However, thi> unwillingness and wilful igno-
rance do not prevail everywhere; on tin* con-
• The follow i from 'The Timet* of January last very
much correspond* with my flat omenta and opinion ; and although I
rather deviate from my task in publishing the Mine, I cannot help
doing ao on thia occasion : —
Mix Aim M axxiera is Ireland. —The following sketch of M man
and manners " in the South of Ireland is given by the Rev. Mr.
Townsend, a Protestant clergyman in Cork :— "They (the farmers)
still adhere to the old system of agriculture, which under protection
enabled them to live, aa they were content, in the poorest way ;
and whether it is mental inability or pecuniary inability, they cannot
be got to change for better. There is nothing here but poverty, the
result of idleness. Those in possession of land are unable to pay
for labour, although abundance can be got for &/. per day for the
beat labourers— women for anything ; I doubt not that 2d. per day
would gladly be taken. There if imbecility in all classes— in the
gentry class no mind for business, no turn of mind for anything but
frivolous Amusement— this descends from them to others, Thia is
not my own opinion, but that, I may say, of every one capable of.
giving an opinion. Until there is a change of proprietors to show
a better example, there is no prospect of a happy result. Here, in
my district, there is all the appearance of prosperity in the upper
tiliMM I could aa soon raise the amount of the national debt aa
the small sum for the mistress of a school ; but if I started a ball,
a horse or a boat race, or such like, money would readily be found.
I am getting, not faint-hearted, but hopeless, seeing that no per-
manent good can be done by a single individual. If y life for the
last five years here, I trust, haa proved that 1 am willing to do my
utmost."
42 Tin: flax industry.
trary, in some districts the farmers were quite
disposed to adopt the improvements recom-
mended by the Society, feeling convinced thai
the consequences must necessarily lead to the
most happj and beneficial results, and the good
spirit of the farmers of some districts is fully
manifested in the following letter from an intel-
ligent farmer near Newry : —
" SlB, " Loughbrickland, 18th April, 1842.
" I feel much pleasure in informing you that your
\ i>it at our agricultural dinner has done much good, and that
the circulation of your reports has turned the attention of
farmers to the necessity of improvement in the treatment of
the flax-crops, and the first good effect lias been tiie care and
attention paid to the preparation of the ground for the seed.
I never saw it so well done ; in feet, the farmers are vying
with each other who shall have the best prepared and neatest
finished field. Mr. Deman can tell you this also. He sowed
mine, and some five bushels for another person here. 1 1 « * is
the best sower I have seen ; many persons come to see hi in in
every field ; they seem quite surprised he gets on so quickly,
and express surprise that he can do so, and yet sow so evenly.
" I have also pleasure in stating that every person who has
joined the Society here is quite willing, in fact anxious, to
give the Courtrai system a fair trial on a small scale, ;imi
follow out Mr. Deman's direction in every respect. I do
trust that, from the interest which your excellent Society has
been the means of exerting, and the consequent attention
which is being paid to the flax-crops, that if the season be
favourable, you will have at all events a much better i
than formerly.
" Your obedient servant,
u Thomas Mabsj
M C. G. Macgregor Skinner, Em/..
FlaxSociHv. BeUhtft."
ULTUUAL MEU1TS OK FLAX. ■
X.
7Vur Merit* of the J m it* Agricultural
The Committee had now announced to the
public, in bet maul Import of 1842, th;r
had been proved to the flax-growers and the
pnblk at large, that gome Irish flax had been
bnpiutod from 50/. to the enormous increase of
140/. per ton. This were not only words, but
facts realised by myself, and Hit I,v m
acre of flax purchased in the green state at Mayo,
near Armagh.' Such a fact, once established, suf-
fices to show to what amount Irish flax could be
improved. Indeed these are features which will
undoubtedly be worthy of a page in Ireland's
history. The Society could now, with every in-
surance of success, continue her labours. The
great difficulties which enterprises of such a
nature bate to contend with, especially at first,
were now overcome.
The Committee was quite aware that it would
require several years before such extraordinary
improvements could be generally accomplished,
and to that effect perseverance and support were
necessary ; but the landed proprietors especially
• The passage of the Annual Kcport of the Flax Society alluding to
this fact I hare already given under the head of •• Flax Factorship.*'
44 tin: v\..\\ indpstky.
had already appreciated the striking facts before
them, and the great amount of good which was
likely to arise through the agency of the Society.
Indeed as early as 1842, the second year of the
Society's existence, the 30,000 tons of flax which
were brought to market from that year's growth
had already assumed, through the labours of tin
Society, 10/. per ton more value than formerly,
and this first fruits of the flax improvements were
enjoyed by the flax -grower. The flax- plant
figures only here in her form of agricultural
plant ; but, as I have observed in my introduc-
tion, the merits of the flax-plant, in her agricul-
tural forms, are of a most beneficial nature.
Besides the marked superiority of paying better
than any other crop, it brings the grower the
amount of his production in his pocket in a much
shorter period than any other crop ; and it neces-
sarily induces or obliges the farmer to bring his
land under good condition, if he wish to secure
a good crop, in spite of his adverse or unwil-
lingness to improvements in agriculture. The
former, indifferent as he may be to improvements,
must evidently, under such circumstances, see
that he cannot bestow any extra labour upon In-
fields without being triply paid for; and it may
therefore be hoped that, through the medium of
the flax-culture, a more careful mode of agricul-
ture and husbandry may insensibly creep into
RI4 II.! I IKAL MKB1T- AX. 45
mil, and ultimately be the means of a geueral
•i..n in the r« tit ions of crops and a mo-
dem of agriculture.
u every occasion I have strongly demon-
strated to the Secretary, Captain Skintn r, tin-
necessity of urging the agriculturist flax-growers
to ft preparation of their ground,
being convinced that, without better draining and
subsoiling, the otln r improvements in the flax
imlu>trv will retrograde in proportion, and suffer
in its march.
I li« speeches delivered by Lord Lurgan and
Mr. Ross, M.P., at tin- Society's general meeting
of 18-12, will show how much interest the landed
proprietors had already taken in the improvement
of tin- ilax cnltniv in livland.
EUgbl Honourable Lord Lurgan, in taking
tin- chair, said,—
" He did to with feelings of great happiness ; and be as-
sured the meeting that he felt it a high honour to be allowed
to preside over them on Uiat occasion, and also to preside over
that great undertaking. That Society was still in its infancy ;
but when he read over the names— the list of landed pro-
prietors, noblemen, gentlemen, farmers, and manufacturers in
connection wiUi it— be felt that the greatest man alive might
feel proud of having his name enrolled amongst those who bad
taken a part in carrying out a scheme so very laudable. It
was a practical and sensible scheme— one whose object was to
benefit the country, to promote industry, and give employ-
ment to the working classes. (Hear, hear.) Though the
time was, he conceived, past when it was necessary to point
<i>t the advantages of such a Society, yet he could not deny
K> Till. FLAX INhi'sTiiY.
himself the prhilege of saying a f'<\\ words on tin- subject.
It had been stated, lie believed, on that platform, thai they
were in the habit of importing no less a quantity than 80,000
tons of flax annually, and that no less a sum than from
5,000,000/. to 6,000,000/. were drained from the rutin try to
procure that supply. Now he was sure they would all agree
with him that Ireland was not sufficiently wealthy to part
with such a sum ; but then the question arose, how were they
to keep it amongst themselves? Why, it appeared on un-
doubted authority that their soil was at least as good as that
of their competitors. In fact, Mr. Deman, the Iiel^ian super-
intendent agriculturist, at once took the bull by the horns;
for he told them that he hail seen no land in Ireland, not even
the worst, that was not capable of producing a good flax-crop,
if industry and attention were brought into practical opera-
tion. (Hear, hear.) His Lordship proceeds further in urging
the farmers to adopt a better mode of preparing their land
for the culture of flax," &c. &c.
Mr. Ross, M.P., in the course of his speech at
the same meeting, said, —
" If, as the Report of the Committee stated, they were un-
able to compete with foreigners in the growth of flax, and if,
as they found that the country could produce it, how im-
portant, then, must be the advantage to the country their
producing even a portion of the immense quantity of 80,000
tons they were now obliged to import ; and if, at the same
time, their soil and climate were superior to the growth of
the article to that of those countries whose hostile tariffs were
meeting us in every quarter; and if, according to Mr. Deman
and other authorities, it only required some painstaking, and
a right system of cultivation and management, to produce as
good an article, and as much as would not only supply our-
selves, but enable us to export it also, he trusted the public
would not stand so far in their own light as not to embrace
the opportunity this Society offered of effecting these great
(i.<ls; and so to teach our continental neighbours a great
II It A I MKRITK OF FLAX. 47
lesson on political economy. He n» determined to give the
•object hu most earnest attention end eoosidenition ; end in
future not only to be e speaker, but a worker with them in
the promotion of the Society's interest*."
The following is a passage taken from the
Report of the Committee from the same annual
meeting : —
" Mr. Dcmau, the technical Imfraoti Flax Society,
has now been sixteen months in the Society's employment \
and having vuuted every district in the north, and made him-
self thoroughly conversant with the habit* of the people! is
since last Report more end more convinced that the grossest
ignorance in the preparation of the land, rotation of cropping,
and after-treatment of the flax -crop, alone prevent this country
from producing, both in the qualities and quantities, crops for
which the soil and climate seem to him better adapted than
those of any country of Europe. Agriculture, especially
amongst the small fanners, was so little understood in Ireland,
compared to Belgium, that until the land be better drained,
super-tilled, more laboured, and better cleansed from its
weeds, flax could not be brought to great perfection in Ireland.
*' The following opinion of Mr. IV nun s qualifications, as
given by one of the cleverest men in the flax trade, who is
employed in the purchase of the article fur the extensive bouse
of Messrs. Marshall, of Leeds, together with a number of
others, must prove most satisfactory to the public."
To enumerate here the numerous testimonies
alluding to mv humble services would be absurd,
although it in. iv throw some light upon several
interesting subjects. They are given at some
,?li in tin Committee's Reports, which were
printed ami largely circulated.
is TIIF. I LAX INDUSTRY.
XL
The favourable State of Agriculture for the Flax-
Culture in England.
Mr. Warnes, the famous Norfolk flax-grower,
came to Belfast at the Flax Society's annual
meeting in November, 1842, and through this cir-
cumstance became slightly acquainted with him.
A society having been formed in Norfolk, in the
beginning of 1843, to promote, or rather to intro-
duce, the growth of flax, Mr. Warnes, acting as
secretary to that Society, requested my humble
services. The idea of coming over to England,
together with Mr. Warnes's generous offer, induced
me to accept the task ; and after having terminated
my engagement with the Irish Flax Society, I
came to Norfolk in February, 1843, where I have
exerted myself during three years to promote the
flax culture. For the last few years I have con-
stantly occupied myself in the promotion of the flax
industry, and of late I have had the opportunity
of visiting almost every extensive flax-grower in
England. If, therefore, I advance something in
support of the cultivation of flax in Great Britain,
it is not without being fully convinced that this
Fa 10
country is in every respect suitah the
growth and preparation of die flax-phi
I Bgkad possesses great advantages over Ire-
IiiimI for the culture of flax, in consequence of
ii state of agriculture compared with the neg-
' til state of agriculture of the latter count
and it the English agricultural will hut go to work
with his usual energy, he will from the first year
grow flax to at least the same perfection a* tin \
actually do in Ireland ; and this owing to their
sloven I \ pud neglectful state of agriculture. The
flax-plant, it i- true, although a delicate pi
will grow in almost any soil, but with very un-
equal success; and, considering the merits of the
fl.i\-|»lant. it would be against the order of things
if it could be grown so well in an indifferent cul-
ed as in a proper cultivated soil. It must not
be concealed that the flax-plant, in order to grow
to great perfection, requires a careful preparation
of the -oil, hut the consequences of this extra
trouble arc nothing less than amelioration, pul-
■!i, and fertilization of the land.* More-
over, since agriculture has assumed a more sci-
< ntific character than formerly, the peculia
connected with the culture of the flax-plant will
m any w y deter the enlightened agrieul-
-t; on the contrary, it will only tend to
* The introduction of the flax-culture in the- rotation of crop*
must indispensably lead to improvement in agriculture.
I
50 thi: ri.AX industry.
create a fresh impulse to evince some further
scientific improvements or discoveries in agri-
culture ; and if under the present system of agri-
culture, scientific aid can he successfully applied
to almost any agricultural plant, it must do so
tenfold to flax, there being scarcely any limits to
the great display and development of art and
science that can be attributed to that wonderful
plant, and especially when considered under its
agricultural as well as under its commercial
forms. In short {en re'mme'), such is evidently
proved by the great variation in its different
qualities of raw productions. Peruse the Belgian
flax-markets, and you there find flaxes from 30/.
to 350/. per ton. In Irish flaxes the variation
will be from 30/. to 150/. per ton.*
What must be the reason of the immense dif-
ference in the price of these flaxes ? Of course it
is in consequence of the different qualities. And
from whence does this great difference in qualities
result ? The question is easily solved. In one in-
stance, all that art and skill can suggest has been
applied to the flax-plant ;f in the other instance,
• The variation in the quality of all the produce of agricultural
- is very insignificant, compared with the produce of the flax-
plant ; for instance, when the best quality of wheat is 00*., the
worst is at least 40*. per quarter, and so it is in proportion with
most other agricultural productions. It is therefore only upon the
flax-plant that agricultural science can make such wonderful effect.
f 350/. was decidedly not obtained without having taken extra
pains to secure so superior an article ; but when so much can be
n
everything connected with tl». virion* pi
<>t t | has been neglected. This single illus-
tration shows what considerable room there is for
appl in-trial genius (gJm* indu*trid) to this
ltin-ativr plant ; and it is exactly because the flax
assumes in its various forms so much merit iu
which art and skill can fiml in finite development,
that its growth and preparations are so well
adapted for England. Strange, that but few
i tries will acknowledge the necessity of
coupling scientific knowledge with practical know-
ledge in agricultural matters, a notion being
entertained that agriculture is so simple in all its
bearings that it does not require scientific aid : l< t
therefore the agriculturi-t of this country t<
our continental neighbours a lesson in agricul-
tural science, and in accomplishing such the flax-
plant can be instrumental in it to a great extent.
If ever there was a time win n all those who
lived by agriculture were called on to pay par-
t leu la r attention to it, and if there was one branch
v than another that should engage our minds,
thai was tin- time and flax the branch.
Looking for a moment at the flax industry en-
gained by art and skill upon the raw material, what moat be
through the same medium upon the texture fabric? The difference,
indeed, between a ooarea ropo and yarn worth 2000 francs per lb, ia
great, but still greater is the difference between a yard of coarse
linen and a yard of the beat Brussels lace ; and yet all these article*
Hi the production of the flax-plant.
■ a
52 THE FLAX INDUSTRY.
tirely in a national point of view — what would be
the situation of this country in the event of a war
breaking out with those nations that supply us
at present with flax? and if their ports should just
now be closed against us, the results would be
most disastrous to our flax spinners and linen
manufacturers.
KXH.U STATION Of llli; ! I a.VI LAM. 53
Ml.
Exhauatation of the Flax-Pla
Formerly, when flax was grown in England
and Scotland, it appears that before it was pulled
it had attained the same degree of maturity as
wheat or an\ <>tli< r real crop. If the flax was
exclusively grown for nothing but the seed, of
course it was a seed-crop ; and it was in the in-
terest of the grower to have it ripened till it had
attained its last degree of maturity. I quite
agree that flax when grown for a seed-crop is at
least as exhausting as (colza) rape, and it is an
< >tal>li>!ied fact that most all agricultural seed-
crops are more exhausting than cereal crops; if,
ion, the flax be grown solely for the seed, it
must be ranked amongst the seed-crops, and as
such it is decidedly more exhan-tine; than any
cereal crop. It is well known that all plants are
more or less exhaustive to the soil ; but to give
B idea of the different degrees of exhaustat ion
caused by tin- various agricultural plants whieh
<nt. i 1:1 the o 'inn.. v be
laid down as a rule (however not without < xcep-
tion) that green crops are less exhaustive than
51 Till; I'LAX INlMsTKY.
cereal crops, and that cereal crops are less ex-
haustive than seed-crops. My method of growing
flax is to pull it green,* consequently consider it
a> a «jreen crop, and is therefore the least exhaus-
tive in the rotation of crops.. If flax be grown
for fibre and for seed, but with a view to make
so much of the seed than of the fibre, its exhaus-
tation must be considered like that of a wheat-
crop ; but if flax be cultivated solely for the seed,
it becomes undoubtedly an exhaustive crop, at
least so exhaustive as (colza) rape, which is con-
sidered the most exhaustive among the seed-crops.
The flax-plant, therefore, assumes the two extreme
degrees of exhaustation ; in the one instance it is
the least exhaustive plant, in the other instance
it is the most exhaustive of plants.
Writers on flax all endeavour to prove thai
flax is not a very exhaustive crop, but none seem
to attempt to show the degrees of exhaustation
caused by the different modes in which the plant
is cultivated.
The following opinion respecting the exhausta-
tion of the flax-plant is given by an Irish gentle-
man farmer of considerable experience. He says,
" As the result of many years' experience I con-
sider that flax when grown in its regular rotation
is far from being exhaustive, and that it tends
• When I say green pulling, it is from 12 to 16 days before it is
quite ripe.
KXIIAlSTATIoN <>F TIIK H.AX-I'I.ANT. 56
greatly to improve the soil ami the character of
the other crops in the rotation."
Loid Mwtaagkb at tin- eowwil Btadag of tin-
Royal Agricultural Society on the 26th of Fehru-
1851, states " That some of the land where
flax had been sown had been previously in an
exhausted condition; but by attention to tin
rultivation of the flax-crop that land had become
better than any other on his estate ;** adding,
" that no meadow yielded such excellent grass
as the soil on which tlax had been grown/'
The foregoing observations by two Irish gen-
tl< m< n are very justly made, and it is almost my
constant motto th;it thr tlax-eultuiv nm>t MOM-
sarily cleanse and improve the soil, inasmuch as
it requires more tillage and subsoiling for flax
than for any other crop, and is therefore a
powerful medium by which improvements may
be introduced in agriculture. Flax is pulled in
Ireland rather in a green state, and is conse-
quently but little exhaustive to the soil, the seed
being not an object worthy ot the attention of the
I . egiioulmrifi.+
* It must be exceedingly strange to the reader, whether ac-
quainted with the flax-culture or not, to find thai in one country
( Knglaml) the tlax-plant is almost exclusively grown fur the seed, and
in another country (Ireland) that the seed is thrown away, although
it is worth at least 4/. per acre; consequently, that it causes to the
latter country annually a waste of national wealth of al least
240,000/. Besides this immense loss, it causes a great annoyance
to therm!
56 tin: I'l.AX INDUSTRY.
Mr.Digby Seymour, iii his work, • Beet-Sugar,
Flax, and Chicory/ quotes my opinion on the
subject, and says : —
" There has been and there still exists, says Mr. Deman,
a prejudice against the cultivation of the flax, a prevalent
idea being entertained that it is an exhausting crop ; but
siiK . tli\ (to secure a fine silky fibre) should be taken from
the laud (pulled) in a very green state, it follows that flax
can only be considered as a green crop ; and as the prepara-
tion for the flax requires more ploughing, subsoiling, and
cleansing than for any other crop, it consequently becomes a
fact that the growth of flax, instead of exhausting, cleanses
and fertilises the soil.
" In Belgium a better wheat-crop is obtained after flax
than after any other crop.
" Besides, there is no crop that comes to maturity in a
shorter period than flax, it being sown in April and pulled iu
the latter part of June, and thus with the aid of a small quan-
tity of liquid manure a crop of turnips is obtained the same
season ; a strong proof that the soil has not been exhausted by
the flax. Moreover, the land will improve by bringing flax
in the rotation of crops, as the soil cannot be cultivated by
too great a variety of productive and useful plants."*
Flax cultivated on my system improves the
soil, and produces a remunerative price, which no
other plant whatever can produce ; yet there
appeal* to be some objection to pulling the flax-
plant rather green, in consequence of losing in so
doing a little seed, the English flax-grower feel-
ing always inclined towards the seed; but recol-
lect, that whatever is gained upon the seed by
leaving the flax-plant stand longer than is re-
• 4 Flax: its Cultivation and Management,* pp. 11, 12.
EXHAUST ATION OF THB FLA X 1 I A 57
quired Ibf the benefit of ti .• is more than
lost by the extra exhaustation during that time,
because the more the flax-plant approaches to its
in.itimt\, the iii<»n' powerful becomes the exhaus-
tation of Ihfl plant. Hut the objection brought
forward agaiu is, that, in pulling the flax so earls
there is but a small produce of seed, and conse-
quently little or nothing can be returned to
the soil. Strange calculation indeed ! Which is
preferable, an acre of flax worth *J0/., with little
or no seed ;f or an acre of flax, the straw of win. h
is worth 61. and the seed 6/., making together
12/.? Now, if the flax-grower cannot go on
without flax-seed, lei hi in take 6/. to purchase
seed from the acre grown fur the fibre, and thus
he will ha\r the Mine quantity of seed,J besides
I 1 t»i Ml poekefl ; recollecting at the same time,
again, that the acre grown for the fibre has but in
the *1 ilegree exhausted the soil, whereas
acre grown for seed and fibre draws as much
from the soil as a wheat-crop.
* By leaving the flax-plant a few days too long in the toil, 61
per acre can be lost upon the fibre.
t When I aay no seed, I mean that the Belgian flax-grower does
not much depend on what he can make of the seed, although the
eeed ia always worth from 1/. to 37. per acre, except when Lin
rame ; in this case the seed is entirely sacrificed. But then an acre
of flax is by chance worth from 501 to 001 per acre,
t The foreign seed may not be so good for cattle mod ee the
home grown, as I must confess Uiat 1 never saw heavier flax seed in
ii, v life than the English growth ; but in this case let the farmer
purchase for 7/. or M of foreign seed to make up for the inferiority.
58 THE FLAX INDISTHY.
After what I have said of growing flax for the
seed alone, it should now be left as a question
disposed of, feeling satisfied that my demon-
stration against this mode of growing the flax-
plant would fully suffice to convince the flax-
grower of its being a very exhausting crop, be-
sides not being a remunerative one. But before
leaving the serious question to the appreciation
of the agricultural public, I must quote the
opinion of a few others on the subject. A passage
from Chevalier Ciaussen's work, ■ The Flax
Movement,' is as follows : —
" In the case in which he may elect to dispose of his flax
in the straw, the fanner would derive the full value of hii
crop-seed, and the straw would be worth to him 41. per ton,
the produce being about two tons per statute acre. He will
not require, as is the case at present, to pull his flax before it
is perfectly ripe, or before the seed has been fully and com-
pletely formed. Indeed the coarser and more developed i<
the stem of the plant, the more valuable will it be for the
purpose of adaptation for the woollen and cotton machinery,
and the full gossamer threads can be produced from it with
greater certainty and precision than when pulled in an early
stage of its growth. The grower, therefore, need be under
BO tear as to the fineness of his crop, and he may obtain from
it as large an amount of seed as his land will produce."*
• The Chevalier would, in my opinion, better not meddle with
the flax-plant in its agricultural forms; he would find it pi rh.ips
more profitable to keep himself in the cottonizing department, that
being his invention. Mr. Claussen can purchase tow in Ireland ;it
1-7. j*r ton, which he can convert into flax -cotton worth, according
to his statement, from 367. to 40/. per ton; in this resjici i.
for the conversion of very inferior qualities of flax into cotton,
Mr. Ciaussen's invention is of the greatest merit.
HA IMA .V.»
Agriculture in England will readily admit
in i itinns of crops those crops to which
scientific aid can be most extensively and pro-
Is applied ; hut the resources for manure are
yet too limited in tliis cnuntrv for introducing
i advautage very exhaustive crops, such as
the flax-plant, when grown solely as a seed-crop.
The Chevalier < 'laussm, in another page of his
work, • The Flax Movement, ' w rites as follows : —
" A very general belief appears to prevail amongst our
agriculturist* that flax is an exceedingly exhaustive crop.
The opinion is one which has been handed down almost from
time immemorial, and the clauses which in many cases are
introduced into the agreements and leases for agricultural
tens' Iding the culture of flax, hemp, and woad, have
no doubt tended to strengthen this com lotion in the minds of
those who have not possessed the opportunity of practically
testing the truth of the very current opinion. It is most un-
doubtedly true that flax in itself, like all other crops whether
cereal or other, is certainly an exhaustive one. Few crops
are, however, more exhaustive than wheat ; but the farmer
does not refuse to grow it on that account, as he knows that
a great portion of the crop is usually returned to the soil.
Now there are two modes of testing the accuracy of the
opinion with respect to the injurious effect of the flax -crop,
by chemical analyses of the constituents of the plant,
and by that still more satisfactory and convicting test — the
result of practical experience.9 Tried by either or both of
* Practical experience has proved to me that flax is an exhaustive
crop when grown solely for seed, and nobody will make me believe
the contrary. I cannot do justice to my task without giving a
straightforward and impartial opinion upon the different modes
connected with the growth and preparation of the flax-plant ; and
therefore trust that, in so doing, it will not for a moment be
posed that I am guided by any interest or personal
60 Tin: n.w industry.
those it will he round, under a judicious mode of tn-atim-rit ,
analogous to that pursued by the grower with respect to his
other crops, that flax, so far from being an injurious, will be
found to be, independently of its other advantages, of greater
value than any other crops in keeping the land in a profit-
able state of productiveness, and preventing the possibility of
its deterioration.
• If the construction of the plant be closely examined, it
will be found that those portions of it which absorb the
alkalies and the nutritive properties of the soil, are those
which are not required for the purpose of manufacture, viz.,
the woody part of the plant, the resinous matter, and the
seed. The capsules of the seeds, the husks of the capsules,
and the seeds, contain a very large proportion of nitrogen and
phosphoric acid, and may consequently be advantageously
employed for the purpose of manure and for the feeding of
cattle. The fibre of the plant, which is that portion required
for manufactures, consists of about 47 parts of carbon in 100,
united to the elements of water — in fact, oxygen, hydrogen,
and carbon are its principal constituent parts, and they are
derived not from the soil but from the atmosphere. 100 lbs.
of flax fibre has been found by recent experiments to contain
not more upon an average than 2 lbs. of mineral matters, in-
cluding lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, carbonic, phosphoric,
and sulphuric acids, and silica."
Mr. G. Nicholls, who has also written on flax
in a work ' The Farmer,' says : —
" It has often been said that flax was a very exhausting
crop, but it certainly is not more so than any of the usual
grain-crops, neither does it require a very rich soil. Indeed,
a rich or highly manured soil is injurious, causing the plant
to grow too strong and luxuriant, and rendering the fibre
coarse and less valuable. Flax is grown on light poor land in
Belgium and Holland, and I have seen it grown on mere bog
in Ireland."
1 must give credit to Mr. Nicholls for hi- just
BXHAU8TATI0N OF THE FLAX II A 1 1
ark respecting the exhaustation of the soil by
tin tlax-plant. The soil it decidedly not exhausted
in Bdgiuin and Holland, liecause then- tin- flax
i- pull.d before the plant is in its full vigour of
exhaustation.
Sir & K ne observes: —
The agriculturist should steadily bear in mind that the
fibre which he sells to the flax-spinner has taken nothing from
the soil. All that the crop took out of the soil, be has still
in the steep water and In the chaff of the scotched Bex, and if
after suitable decomposition these be returned to the land, the
fertility of the latter will be restored, and thus materials at
present utterly neglected, and even a source of inconvenience,
may be converted into a most valuable manure.9*
Whatever the opinion of others may be on the
subject of Exhaustation, my long and practical
experience has proved to me that the flax-plant
causes in the soil different degrees of exhaust r
in proportion to its mode of cultivation. Of tin
throe modes of cultivating the flax-plant, two
modes I recommend ; the third I deprecate without
reserve.* The mode I recommend most strongly is
to grow the plant on the modern Belgian method,
that is, to let the plant ripen to a certain degree
without injuring the fibre, f This mode of culti-
vating the flax-plant h letter adapted for Eng-
land than for any other country ; and a few fair
experiments would soon induce the English flax-
owing the flax as a seed crop alone,
t Trying to favour the seed as much as possible without injury
st all to the fibre.
t\-2 tin: ri.w inmstry.
grower to give this method the preference. How-
ever, I am quite aware that for a commencement
Ifae second best mode of growing this plant will
better please the English agriculturist, fibre and
seed being the object of this mode. To conclude
the question of exhaustation, let me again assure
the agricultural public, that growing the flax-
plant on the modern Belgian method is the least
exhaustive of plants, and to grow it for fibre and
seed is not more exhaustive than a common corn-
crop. Let, therefore, without hesitation enter
this plant into the rotation of crops in this
country, with the assurance that its introduction
i> the introduction, under present circumstam . ft,
of the most essential and beneficial improvement
which modern agriculture can suggest.
BUQGMTIOm GOV i i:mv. i LAX DTDU8TB1 68
Mil
Suggestions for fa< /, promoting, and
proving the Flax Industry ngland and
Scotland*
One great important advantage which facilitates
tin immediate introduction of the flax culture in
this country is, that those prelim inary prepara-
tions which are required in many other countries
for cleansing the soil must not be in many in-
stances resorted to in this country, since I am
convinced from my own evidence that the land
of every county that I have visited is in a state
of culture fit to grow the flax to a very good
perfection. Directions for the preparation of t he
soil, sowing the seed, &c, were shortly given by
me last year in a pamphlet, 4 Flax ; its Cultiva-
tion and Management,' published by Mr. Kidgway,
adilly, and Mr. Effingham Wilson, Royal
Exchange. However, I feel desirous to suggest
here again the urgent necessity of having good
• What I My of England, with referents to flax, may in many
inetanoee be attributed to Scotland— with thu difference, that moat
of what I aay of England emanate* from practical knowledge,
baring mytelf grown and manufactured flax in this
aome extent, a practice which I hare not had in Scotland.
64 IBM i*I-ax indi:sti:v.
and cleansed ion ing-seed. Nothing can be more
neglectful than not to extract those numerous
pernicious weed-seeds which are generally mixed
with the foreign flax-seeds. In one hour's time
one man will extract with a sieve all the weeds
that are to be found in four bushels of flax-
seed, yet it would perhaps require twenty days*
work to extract these weeds out when once
grown amongst the flax-crop ; and this cannot
be done witlrout more or less injuring the tender
flax-plant. I must confess I feel rather a deli-
cacy in bringing such simple, evident things
under notice, knowing the carefulness of the
British agriculturist in such matters; yet whilst
in Ireland, notwithstanding our demonstrating
the injurious effect it made of not cleansing the
flax-seed, it was seldom done.
For sowing, good Riga seed is the best ; from
this the plant grows generally longer and with
more delicacy than from other seeds. I cannot
say that Riga sowing-seed has yet been imported
direct in this country, but as the growth of
flax is yearly increasing, it is to be hoped that
direct importation will take place shortly in those
sorts of seeds. For the present season this seed
could be had from Ireland or Belgium,* but this
is not an economical market.
• At my arrival in Norfolk, in February 1843, I could not see
any seed suitable for sowing, consequently I made every inquiry in
SUUOK8TION8 D 65
1 cannot too much impros the urgent neces-
of selecting good flux-se< <l bf mowing, be-
sides strongly recommending a very careful pre-
paration of the soil, knowing that th< success of a
good quality of flax great h ids upon laying
good foundation ; and it is but just thai nothing
riMNlkl remain untmuhr.l l>\ ulmh tin- progress
and sneers of thi* gretl entrrpri-r may \>v n-tro-
graded or endangered ; tin- more I0| \% li« -n seeing
the earnest spirit ami . n . rprise with which land-
1 tenant seem to unite to accelerate its
success. Undoubtedly die accomplishment of an
tCt so vi as that of the culti\ ;iti«»n
<>t' (lax would be attended with the most salutary
ct, by affording employment for an increased
population, and materially h veiling our depend-
foreign countrii « ; indeed, the mass
inatimis and efforts daily displayed hy
man ofalmori all ranks evidently shows that th«-
establishment of the culture and industry of flax
is about to become one of tin meal profitahl.
I<ondon for Riga towing linseed. There were quantities of foreign
seed to be bad, bat no reel Etip . I was, therefore, under the
necessity of Importing 40 barrets of Riga Unseed from Belgium.
This seed, I am happy to nj, produced a Tery superior crop of flax,
especially when compared with what had been grown before ; the
fact was that the fibre of what had been grown in the two preceding
years was worth nothing, it having been grown as a seed-crop.
Fanners in sowing one acre with Riga seed every year can provide
sowing-seed for at least six or seven acres : the part of the crop
intended for sowing-seed is allowed to ripen a little more than
ordinary.
i
<;r, ill i: II. \x LNDUBTBT.
staple commodities of British ajrirulture and
man u tact lire.
To this effect societies or associations are con-
tinually formed. Landlords are giving every
inducement to their tenants to grow the plant ;
other individuals are preparing a market to tin-
former for the article in its raw state (the straw).
An invention to convert flax into cotton will alone
create a market for 1,400,000 acres of flax (ac-
Cbrdlng to calculation) ; and in accumulating in-
different movements, it must decidedly give a
strong impulse to the advocates of the cause, and
accelerate its progress and success.
In pursuance of a circular signed by Mr.
Matthew Brown, agent for Sir James Graham, a
meeting was held on Monday, 12th January last, at
the Graham's Arms, Longtown, Cumberland, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the pro-
priety of introducing the cultivation of the flax-
crop into this district, and also to endeavour to
come to some arrangement with Mr. Rome, of
Carlisle, to secure the establishment of a flax-
mill at Longtown. This circular was addressed
more immediately to the tenantry of the Right
Honourable Baronet, but many gentlemen from
a distance attended who were interested in
agricultural matters, and some of whom had
considerable experience in the cultivation of flax.
Sir James Graham addressed the meeting at
8UGUB8TI0N8 OONCKKMN INDU8TBY. 67
some length. The modes of growing and dis-
posing of the flaxHi>|i he advocates are, with a
004 thotl whkh I hail I
t« m years recommended to be adopted in this
country. Sir James Graham, after having made
sonic remarks not imiin-iliately nOWMCltud with
the object of the meeting, proceeded in making
some very just and \al liable suggestions upon the
advantages of the introduction of the flax-culture
in that part of the country, and said : —
•• It hat been strongly forced upon me that the time had
arrived when, with great advantage to the farmer, the culti-
vation of flax mar be introduced into the rotation of our crop-
ping in this neighbourhood (hear, bear). About three yean
ago I went to the north of Ireland, where I was trustee to a
tonsidaisblu estate, the property of my nephew, Lord Duflerin,
in the neighbourhood of Belfast. It is impossible to travel in
Ireland any length of time without being struck with the vast
superiority of the people of Ulster as contrasted with the cou-
1 of the people of any other part of that country ; and
when you tost you are still more strongly impressed
with the comparative ease, comfort, and wealth of the inha-
bitants of that particular district as contrasted with the coo-
t he population in any other part of Ireland ; and if
tM investigate the cause yon are at once convinced it b be-
cause Belfast is the seat of the linen-trade of that country,
and because Ulster is much engaged In the cultivation of flax.
To thtit «ir« umstances the prosperity so remarkable in that
let It to be traced (hear, hear). I investigated at the
time what had been the progress of the cultivation of flax in
that neighbourhood, and that increasing progress (far it is an
increase which is progressive) is to be traced to the improve-
ment in the manufacture of flax. While the conversion of
flax when grown in the hands of the fanner by the rode pro.
I 9
M III I . li.W INDUSTRY.
of steeping in cold water* — some of the older of us may
well remember that cold water steeping was once the only
mode of converting the flax when grown into tow used in the
manufacture of the article known to the farmer— -while that
pnu > was in the hamU of th<- firmer it *ft| improperly
done, but the progress of science and manufacturing skill had
be«n brought to bear in that country as elsewhere, and there
is now a process — I think it is a patent process — in the hands
of the Messrs. Schenck, of Belfast, by which the flax is con-
verted into tow readily and with com|»arative ease; and this
warm water process has greatly increased the demand and im-
proved the linen trade ; and consequent upon that there is an
increased demand for the raw material (hear, hear). It can
hardly be believed that such was the improvidence of the Irish
farmer that they were quite content to be satisfied with the profit
bf the straw and the fibre only when used for manufacturing
purposes, without reference to the seed, which is the most im-
portant ingredient to them in its cultivation. I need not tell
you that, independently of all manufacturing purposes, the toed
is a valuable part, for when boiled it is the best food that can
be given to cattle, and still more when converted into oil-
cake ; and not only is it the best food for cattle, but it ranks
among the best manures that can be applied to the had
(hear. hear). The effect of the double operations of convert-
* I cannot see why the cold water steeping should be called a
rude way of steeping ; it is decidedly by this method of steeping
that the most costly flaxes are produced, from which the elegant
ami ornamental fabrics are manufactured ; besides be lag the most
su)«rior, it is also the most economical method of steeping that
exists. The great objection to this water-steeping in England is,
because in Ireland the steeping causes some smell, which indeed is
not very agreeable ; but this is caused in consequence of throw in
the seed in the water; it is the decomposition of the seed that
brings forth .his inconvenience. Such I thing is not to be met
with on the banks of the Lys, in Belgium ; on the contrary, the
odour caused from the flax-plant is very pleasant and wholesome.
A similar remark I have already made in another j>age respecting
the annoyance caused by the steeping of the flax-seed in Ireland.
suoawn uy. 69
ing the fibre into flax by the new proPtssss of Meters.
Seheuck's warm water steeping, and the conversion of the seed
into oilcake, at Belfast, baa led to the increased cultivation
of flax, a more certain market to the tanner for hi* produce,
and increased prosperity to that portion of Ireland (hear,
hear). I naturally considered whether there was anything
peculiar in the soil or climate of that particular portion: of
Ireland which gave it an advantage over the south of Scotland
and that part of England which we inhabit, and deliberate
considerations land mo to the conclusion that neither the soil
nor climate was superior to ours (hear, hear). The softness
or humidity of their climate i* identical with our own. They
have perhaps more rain, or at least an equal quantity •
and their soil appears to me to be no better suited to the
growth of the fibre than ours. This was about throe years
ago. I then thought it my duty t» investigate the subject
not only as connected with Ireland, but also to extend in;
\ to different parts of England (bear, bear). In the south
also I found, pursuing my inquiries as far as Wiltshire, Essex,
and into Wales, there was a strong impression that the time
had arrived when the attention of the agriculturist moat be
directed to the growth of flax."
1 do not agree with Sir James Graham when
he says that it is owing to Schenck's patent hot-
water steeping that the impixrretneiiti <>f tin
linen manutactmv in Inland must be attributed ;
on the contrary, the linen manufacture would
have done much better without flax steeped in
hot water.
Ireland has many natural good water-streams
in which they could steep on the Courtrai r\ >n in,
which renders the flax of a bright white colour,
and is worth 50 per cent, more in the market
70 thk FLAX [NDU8XBT.
than the flax steeped on Schenck's patent system.
Great improvements indeed have been made in
[rish flax since the last ten years, but those im-
provements do not consist in the hot- water steep-
ing, but in the introduction of modern modes*
as well in the preparation of the soil as in all
the after processes connected with the flax-plant ;
and the improvements thus made are owing to
the establishment of the Belfast Flax Society. I
recommend Schenck's steeping in England in some
instances, but under no circumstances in Ireland,
because the latter country possesses sufficient
rivers and water-streams to steep 300,000 acres
of flax, of which they ought to make use. The
resources for industrial economy in flax are im-
mense in Ireland, and the circumstances of that
country require that they should be made pro-
fitable.
I agree with Sir James that there is great eco-
nomy in extracting the oil from the flax-seed, and
merely give the powder of the seed to the cattle ;
the oil can be used for a nobler purpose. This
is practised in Belgium, and is considered a very
careful and profitable branch of husbandry, much
more economical than to give the linseed mixed
with barley, such as is practised in this country.
I also quite agree that the Irish soil is not supe-
rior to British soil for the culture of the flax-
plant, and as to the climate I should give the
preference to England.
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING FLAX 1MX si l;V 7 1
Sir James Graham, after having referred to a
statement of some 6ve acres of flax grown la*t
year by Mr. Samm 1 I>nice, of Eyusham, pro-
1 ii.f j,r.»tit of s/. 8a. M per acre, con-
tinue sa\ing: —
" R h to call youratt* the remarkable 00-
«uce between what it now in progress in agriculture
generally aa referable also to the inducement to couple that
progress of agriculture with the growth of flax. Three great
requisites are indispensable to it* proper cultivation : the land
must be dry, the land mutt be deep ploughed, and the land
must be clean (hear, hear). Now you are all aware that,
especially in this wet climate, we have discovered that sur-
face-draining— by that I mean shallow draining— is an insuf-
ficient mode of draining — that deep draining if necessary in
this district, and I am happy to say that great progress baa
latterly been made n seek effectual deep draining. Then,
again, that draining in itself has proved to be ineffectual un-
less with it b combined deep ploughing. Shallow ploughing
is merely scratching the soil, whilst the land in reality re-
mains as hard as a turnpike road, and the hard cmst that re-
mains is fatal to vegetation or the growth of the cereal crops.
I.I say, unless that crust be thoroughly broken
and pulverised. It in then quite clear that, as a general rule,
independently of the growth of flax, effectual draining and
deep ■ioagfchig are absolutely necessary (hear). That is in
progress throughout the district, and the beneficial result h
exemplified in the increased return of the produce of the soil.
Then the potato crop, I am grieved to say, has become an uncer-
tain and precarious crop. There is also every reason to think
that the present processes in the growth of wheat offers not
the inducement it used to do, and the wetness of this climate
is a great obje ftj general cultivation. That U like-
wise common to Ireland. But that very humidity of climate,
with deep draining and deep ploughing, it not Incompatible
with the successful cultivation of flax."
72 MB II AX lNDCSTIiV.
Sir James Graham mo9t justly considers the
introduction of the flax-culture in the rotation of
crops as being in full harmony with the present
required progress of improving the soil. It is
gratifying to learn that landlords should haw
inquired and understood the great importance
that must be attached to the proper preparation
of the land intended for flax. 1 have not had
the pleasure to visit any estates in Cumin Hand,
but it appears from the remarks before me, and
other practical information I have been favoured
with, that the soil is rather stiff and wet in Cum-
berland. If so, it requires the more pulverizing
and deep ploughing. The suggestions, therefore,
made by the honourable speaker respecting the
preparation of the land for flax-culture must be
considered valuable to the farmer who intends to
grow that plant.
Sir James Graham, in the course of his expla-
nation, refers again to Schenck's system of hot
water steeping, and says : —
" Schenck's system of steeping in hot water is carried out
successfully in Ireland; and though manufacturers prefer the
rich silky-like appearance peculiar to flax prepared on tin- old
system to that prepared in the hot water, which looked dull
and hairy like an old wig (I quote from a letter lately re-
ceived from a manufacturer of many years' and very extensive
experience), yet its ready sale and the good prices it fetched
in the market, together with the increased breadth of flax
grown this year, sufficiently prove the benefits arising from
the introduction of this system."
PUOOWnON»OONCKHNiN<, II.AX INDCKTKY. 7 :\
II it is said h\ the speaker that the manu-
facturer prefer* tin rich silky-like flax prepared
i.y tin* cold-water steeping; thai tin* hot-water
steeped flax looks dull and hairy like an old wig.
it does this prove \ It proves from the ac-
count given by the manufacturer that tin- prin-
ciple of hot-water steeping is to a great extent
injurious to the texture fahrics made from surh
BftXet, If, therefore, the fltX-spiniur and linen
manufacturer use it, it is because they cannot
find thrir fall npply of the flax steeped in the
natural water. Notwithstanding its inferioi
I concur that the hot-water steeping is the means
by which the flax-culture will be extended in
England, and so long as it will pay the farmer
to grow it for that purpose, it is his interest to
do so; and it rests farther with the manufacturer
to know what his interests are.
Sir James Graham refers also to the discovery
of Chevalier Claussen of converting flax into
cotton, and says : —
" Mr. Claussen hopes by the conversion of flax-straw into
what he calk ( flax-cotton/ two great result* will be effected,
namely, that the flax-o«.tton may be intermixed with foreign
cotton in the manufacture of cotton goods, and still more that
it may be intermixed with wool in the manufacture of woollen
goods ; so that the material of ■ bsfll a tweed coat or trousers
are composed, which is now one shilling a pound, will not
cost more than sixpence per pound, and the manufactured
tin. le will consequently be correspondingly cheaper (hear,
hear). This would effect a diminution of price in the dearer
74 Tin: n.AX INDUSTRY.
article, and an increased demand fur t lie manul'actu
clothing amongst the great body of the people (hear, hear).
With regard to the admixture of flax with cotton I am no( to
sanguine on that point The pri< • at present very
low in the market, not mnr> \i>< nee per pound, ami
flax could not be manufactured at a less price; therefore the
intermixture of the two would not be profitable to the manu-
facturer, whilst it would diminish the value of the cotton
goods. With regard to wool I entertain more sanguine ex-
pectation (hear, hear). Although it is a very bopofbJ i xperi-
ment if properly carried out, I by no means rely upon the
success of this movement to show the value of the cultivation
of flax,* but if successful it will be an inducement to others
to follow our example. If we look at the great success which
has attended it in Belgium, there is ample inducement for the
cultivating of flax on a very extended scale in Great Britain
and Ireland (hear)."
The views which the Honourable Baronet takes
of the flax industry in this country are cautious and
sound, besides well calculated to give a fair and just
idea of its merits, and to prompt the agricultural
public to set at work at once to try at least the
experiment. In reality, in perusing the proceed-
ings of this meeting, I find that everything that
has been suggested, or is about to be settled, to
induce the farmer to grow flax, is almost in every
instance in harmony with my opinion respecting
the general measures required for the introduction
of the flax-culture in this country at large ; and
I cannot help therefore giving at some length
the most interesting passage of what was ex-
A very wise and cautious warning.
tfUOO» AX INDl BTBY, 75
plained and stated on this occasion. At the
same meeting at Langtown, Sir James Graham
goes on saying :—
i ii the count of my attendance at the moo tings of the
Agricultural Society of London I and opportunities of eon-
versing with the greet body of the gentry mod farmers from
the different pert* of England ; among others e friend of
mine, Mr. Long, one of the members for Wiltshire, who has
considerable property in North Wales. The soil and climate
•rth Wales are in no respect better than ours ; it is very
similar, but not superior. Mr. Long stated to me two years
ago, which would be in 1850, that he grew flax for the first
tea, and he gave me an account of the re-
sf bis first experiment there, which I will read to yon : —
1 At the meeting of the Melkaham Agricultural 9 • held
on the 2nd of December last, Mr. Long, M.P., in directing
the attention of agriculturists to the cultivation of flax in that
district, stated that be himself had had some little experience
of it. He had grown it for two years iti Wales. Last year
he bad made 10/. an acre of it, after paying all expenses. I !-•
had sold the produce of two acres for 30/., the expenses
against the crop being 10/. lie had sold the straw for 3/. 10*.
per ton to a firm in Bristol, who were ready to take several
thousand tons at that price* (hear, bear). Encouraged by
what I thought was a promising aspect with reference to the
growth of flax, I myself tried a small experiment. 1 was not
so fortunate in my first attempt as Mr. Long was, nor as I
might, have been. This (pointing to a sample- bag full of
linseed) is the seed raised, and here (holding up the straw
already mentioned) is some of the flax produced by that ex-
PSjsJsjSJst My prwtit. sj >utr.i. sjsj U. \Ss. sjsjf am-. | i*>
tailed account of which has already been in print, and I will
not trouble you with those particulars again. I may state,
however, that in that account nothing baa been exaggerated,
and everything has bean brought to charge with the utmost
care, taking in the price of the seed at 6s. per bushel, which
was then the market price, though it is now 8s. per hismsl
76 Till :Y.
The total produce amounted to 23/. 2*., the cost of produc-
tion to 13/. 4*., leaving a total profit of 9/. 18*. To myself
has resulted a profit on the experiment of last year of 4/. I
per acre (hear). T am quite satisfied I committed a mistake,
and I could have greatly improved that crop with my present
knowledge on the subject. — I failed to plough my land as
deeply as I ought to have done. It was clean (it was after
turnips), but I did not give the land that second furrow which
it ought to have had ; and if I had, the quality of fibre would
have been greatly improved and the quantity increased. I tried
guano. That, I am satisfied, is an imprudent mode of treat-
ment; it adds to the luxuriance of the crop, but weakens the
fibre, which falls down and is injured. It increases the sti-
mulus, and it is altogether unwise to add stimulants to the
growth of flax (hear). There is no necessity for it, and should
never be resorted to.* It has been said that flax is an exhaust-
ing crop, and great stress has been laid upon it on this point.
Now I, as a landlord, cannot be supposed to wish to encou-
rage the growth of any crop which would be permanently
injurious to the land occupied by the farmer (hear, hear, and
a laugh), and I would not wish to grow a crop if it impo-
verished the land (hear, hear). I do not wish to fetter those
with whom I am connected with any stipulations whatever,
but at present I should be perfectly willing that they should
introduce flax into their rotation, either before or after the
turnip-crop, only on condition that the quantity grown should
not bear more than a fixed proportion to all the laud under
cultivation ; they should not grow more than five acres to the
hundred (hear, hear, and applause). With that single reser-
vation I should not be at all afraid to see my tenants sell their
flax-straw from their ground (hear, hear, and cheers). I think
I can give no more satisfactory proof of my sincere and con-
scientious belief that it is not an exhausting crop (hear, hear).
As to the demand, it is hardly credible what is the increase
of demand that may be expected if we calculate by com-
parison. What is the tendency of manufactures with refer-
* This is a very valuable remark.
to the linen trade in the spring of the year? For the
eleven months of 1851 the almost incredible amount of
1,085,000 cwt. of (Ui waa imp»rt«d from foreign countries.
The import* of Hax-seed for the seme period were 5 14,000 qrs.,
and oilcake 48,000 tone. This amount is a matter of cer-
tainty t be estimated according to the quality of the
What uo.il.l be the real value of that 1,085,000 cwt. ?
As to the seed it would be about 64s. per qr., or 48/. a-ton
i>e 48,000 tons (hear, bear). With regard to oilcake it
is very well known that with every precaution on the part of
the buyer there is the greatest exposure to imposition accord-
ing to the present system (hear, hear). In fact them is no
artulr p hi. Ii the termor uses in which there Is a greater vari-
ation of quality than in oilcake, ami to purchase it where the
party who manufactures it is known to the fanner is of the
greatest importance (hear, hear). If I measure these im-
portant items, the flax-seed ami oilcake, in cash, I cannot put
them down at less than eight millions of money which is paid
feigners for these three article* in the course of eleven
months in the year ending in 1851 (hear, bear). That is the
state of the imports. Now let us look at our manufactures.
In the year 1850 the exports amounted to 110,780,000 yards
manufactured linen. One would suppose that it was
hardly possible there could be an increase upon that enor-
mous quantity. Hut if we take the year 1851, we find that
so far from there being any diminution, it rose in that year
1 1 117,403,000, being an increase of 6,673,000 in eleven
months (hear, hear). Let us see what is the total value of
the linen manufactures exported from this country. The de-
clared value of the linen manufacture exported in the year
1850 was 3,579,000/.; in 1851 3,750,000/.; being an in-
crease in eleven months of 171,000 (hear). What was the
amount of the linen yarn exported within the same period of
1850? It was 16,700,000 lbs. in weight, the value being
816.101/ : f.r the eleven months of 1851, 16,975,000 lbs.;
value 863,441/., being an increase of 275,000 lbs. in weight,
and 27,840/. in value. To meet this consumption, both for
home use as tested by import and a large amount exported.
7^ THE flax [NDU8TRT.
the estim.it. (I growth i* at least 700,000 acres, and we have
a perfect knowledge that in Great Britain ;m«l Inland not
more than 150,000 acres of flax are cultivated (hear, bf
Therefore, even with the present demand for the raw material,
we may with safety add 600,000 acres of land under the
plough for the growth of flax (hear, hear). I him- told yon
the opinions of strangers. Now hear a gentleman wbOM
letter I believe I am at liberty to use, though it is addressed
to Mr. Rome. He combines the double character of heir to
a great agricultural estate and proprietor of a large manufac-
turing concern as a flax-spinner; I allude to the eldest son of
Sir Wastell Brisco, a great landed proprietor in this country
(hear, hear). I will read to you shortly extracts from his
letter. Hesays, in answer to some inquiries of .Mr. Home's: —
" * It is out of my power to inform you what was the quan-
tity produced per acre, as I have not yet scutched it all, and
the crop was made so various by numbers of experiments
tried in small quantities, that the revolt would be of little
value for your object, even had it all been scutched. I found,
among opier things, that so small a quantity as 1 cwt. of
urnano to the acre very much reduced the money value of fin
lilire. though it appeared to increase the weight of the crop
on the ground. The inferior quality I sold at 47/. per ton ;
for the best I was offered 120/. per ton, but as it was only a
small quantity from a small experiment, of course I made
no sale.'
" Now, I would not recommend the farmer in the first
instance to grow with reference to the quality of the fibre.
" That is a question requiring very peculiar skill and scien-
tific knowledge, and until there be experience I do not think
he can safely anticipate the growth of very fine fibre Von
can alone asceitain the difference in the quality of the fibre
by experience. As Mr. Brisco states very truly, it ranges
fVom 40/. to 120/. per ton, thereby affording the farmer a
large margin for increased skill and application to cultivation
of superior flax, when he can OOOUOBod 00dl a l;ir<re price if
he be judicious in the selection of his soil, and careful in the
cultivation of his crop (hear. hear), l'ut .Mr. BlOJOO goes on
LAX INI
to nay : — * The result of my ei pertinents brought my mind lo
the conclusion, generally, that we nan grow flax in Cumber*
land of very fine quality, varying with mil and management;
that the fibre and teed will yield more profit than any grain-
crop, that it may probably on every toil for fibre, except
poor gravel and sand.'
In which opinion I agree with him, and differ from the
Essex farmer with regard to gravel and sand, and Mr. Briaeo
uuea — 'Tlmt on the latter toil it may be grown as a
seed-crop only, to yield more profit than any grain crop;
that it is the beat crop to abow gram and clover teed with ;
that euch graatea ha\e all the appearance of an old pasture on
dry land (I mean nut to compare with an old meadow);
that after the flax i« pulled you get more feed that autumn
than from the aftermath of seeds with wheat the second year ;
that aeedf sown with flax give a greater produce the next
year by double than if they had been sown with wheat or
barley ; that the immense gathering obtained from seeds the
name year thry are sown, and after the flax is pulled, should
be added to the value of the crop
i.\ will grow oil gravels and sands, but tin-
quality ami quantity will be less advantageous
I when grown in better soils. Flax will grow
on soiU where nothing else can be grown, aud if
flax should be grown at all for the seed only, or
on speculation to sell the fibre to the cottonizers,
let it be grown on such soils. While in Norfolk,
Mr. Marshain, of Strattou St raw less, grew three
acres of flax on broom-land. The first crop after
the land was brought into cultivation was oats, but
were not worth harvesting ; the second year was
tried with flax ; for this flax 1 offered 15/. for the
straw of the three acre*, hut Mr. Mmhlll having
water-streams for Steeping, I advised to pre-
80 THE i i.ax INDUSTRY,
pare it himself for the market, from the fibre of
which he made 19/., all expenses deducted, and
from the seed 10/. — together, 29/. This was
grown on land where nothing else could be grown.
Clover, grass, aud carrots cannot he recom-
mended to be sown with flax ; when the crop is
solely cultivated for fibre, it gives in wet seasons
an impure colour to the lower part of the plant;
but when the crop is grown for fibre and seed, it
is then of less consequence to the fibre, and cer-
tain it is that clover and grass will thrive better
when sown with flax-seed than with any other
crop. The Flemish farmer, although he knows
that it is in many cases injurious to the fibre to
sow other seed with the flax-seed, can often not
help doing so, for the sake of securing a good
clover crop. I have often seen clover mown in
the latter part of September from two feet long.*
It should be recollected that either half a crop of
clover, turnips, or carrots, is generally obtained in
Flanders after the flax harvest, and what is ob-
tained there can be obtained here with proper
management, and this undoubtedly must add
materially to the value of the flax crop.
The Honourable Baronet continues —
" And I may state that in the best sample of flax grown by
me I did accompany it with sowing out with it grass seeds,
9 It is understood that this was the season the flax had been
grown. I call this half a crop, because they have always t\
three good cuts of rl«»v«r in a season.
SUGGESTIONS' CONCERNING FLAX INDU8TBY. *1
and I agree with Mr. Brim, that I never «w flex so well
grown an when those teed* were town with that crop.
I hu. I have stated briefly my candid opinion and belief
of the flax crop. I thai) now give you my view of the crop
a* applied to the general introduction 0 Cumberland.
My father was wuhful to introduce it among hu tenantry,
they also applied to me for my opinion and advice. Ha
some time previously weighed it carefully over, as a grower
and a spinner, and my family being possessed of large landed
property, I came to this conclusion — that to grow flax for
fibre profitably, it must be viewed as a scientific crop ; but
to grow it for seed reduced it to merely an agricultural crop.
Our fanners, not knowing the nature of the plant, or even
the appearance of i not possibly have a chance of
growing it when great skill and experience were required,
both in the masters and hands. My advice, therefore, was,
let it be grown as a seed-crop only * till they become
acquainted ■ it h the nature of it, and what lands and manage-
ment suit best ; if by this method they fail to grow it in the
way, it yet will pay them as well as another crop. By this
it ■ ill become familiar to them ; they will adopt it as
a friendly crop of their own, after which they may be drawn
on to experiment in a small way for fibre when a failure will
not hurt them.'
" There is one other passage which I should like to read
to you from this very sensible letter. He now speaks as a
manufacturer : — ' We flax spinners, as a body, see the neces-
sity of having flax grown in England, and are determined to
push it forward : as a lauded proprietor as well as a spinner,
I see we must grow it ; of all crops it is the one to save us.
We must make sn exchange with the foreigner, and as he
has taken our wheat crop from us, because he can grow it
cheaper, we likewise must take the flax crop from them, be-
cause we can grow it cheaper, and which, as far as value is
concerned, will balance the account.'
•• 1 his letter I have read to yon exactly in the terms in
* I expect that Mr. Brisco means fibre and seed.
r,
82 'l HE FLAX INPrsTKY.
which it it written, and it contains the opinion of a gentle-
man who is intimately concerned in the land of Cumberland.
and, as I have already stated, honourably connected with the
manufacture of this very article (applause). I don't wish
to encumber my statement with any unnecessary details. I
felt that it was of the utmost importance to you, under these
circumstances, to introduce the cultivation of flax in your
rotations of crops ; it is what I shall do in reference to the
land which I farm myself, and my firm conviction is tin
gl -neral adoption will be most advantageous to both owner
and occupier (hear, hear). The difficulty is where to find a
manufacturer in the immediate neighbourhood of the grower
who will undertake the purchase and conversion of the seed
into oilcake, and of the straw into fibre (hear). I told you
that I, for one, would not have any concern in a joint stock
affair of this kind, nor would I recommend the farmer to be-
come speculative to that extent (hear, hear). It is enough for
them to grow the raw material. P>ut when I felt it was due
to caution the farmer upon this point, I inquired in my own
immediate neighbourhood whether there was any gentleman
of spirit, skill, capital, and enterprise ready to und'Ttake the
experiment (hear, hear). Well, gentlemen, the result was
that in Mr. Rome I found what I sought for, and he ex-
pressed himself perfectly willing to undertake the enterprise
if the growers would give him some encouragement (hear,
hear, and applause). I said to him at the same time, (K<nv,
don't be rash, don't do anything without looking well what
you are about, and calculating all the chances of success/
I advised him to go to Ireland and learn what was going on
there. I said, ■ I will give you the best introductions you
can have with regard to opportunities of seeing the growth and
manufacture of flax. I am not unknown there, and every
ity will be afforded you of acquiring all the information
you can possibly obtain; and, moreover, if you like to go,
my agent, Mr. Brown, will accompany you (applause). You
shall visit my friend, the agent for the Duke of Hamilton,
who has to deal with a wetter climate than our own, and you
shall hear what he has to say about the cultivation of flax in
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING FLAX INDUSTRY. S3
Scotland ; you »hall then go on to Ireland and tea what I
«w In llrlfaM, and in the neighbourhood of the counties of
Down an ..' I aaid politics bad nothing to do with
thi«, ami on that point I will aak what U the caae in the north
of Scotland ? In Glaagow a Society hat been formed which
haa the cordial support of the Duke of Montrose and the
Duke of Hamilton, who are diametrically opposed to each
other in j*. I meal matters, and by all the merchant* of Glas-
gow, thinking that they bad a common interest in introducing
that which was profitable to the land of the United King-
dom, and in improving the growth of flax as an article of
our manufacture (hear, hear). Mr. Rome went accordingly,
and returned borne eery much confirmed in his previous
hi that there was so much superiority in the mode
adopted by Belgium and in Ireland, that he waa not unwill-
ing to proceed at once, if the growers of this neighbourhood
will only give him some certainty with regard to the supply
of the raw material (hear and applause). Hearing this, I
rally wrote off to my two great neighbours, all power-
ii each side of the border, Lord Carlisle and the Duke
of Bucclench, to learn what they had to say on the subject.
They were of my opinion, that if this cultivation could be
introduced with the aid of a couple of manufactories, inde-
pendent of the land, it was a great opportunity which ought
not to be neglects
Really steps taken by the honourable
baronet to accelerate and establish the flax cul-
ture upon firm footing in Cumberland are of a
most <n< tiff -tieal and (l.ci-ive nature, ami if acted
upon by a few leading landed proprietors in
i county the flax-culture would be for ever
established all over Great Britain, and in the
course of a few years this would have become
an exporting instead of an importing flax
g 2
84 THE FLAX INDUSTRY.
country.* But, as I have already observed; with-
out establishing the flax factorship, and thus pra-
ng a market for the farmer's flax-straw, the
il t\-cultiin will never become general in England.
It is therefore to be hoped that, where the way
is now so clearly traced, the agriculturists will
not stand so much in their own light as to let
this favourable opportunity escape without taking
advantage of those great facilities given to them.
The flax-culture, under present circumstances,
cannot any longer he objected to on the ground
of not having a market for the article, or of being
a troublesome crop, because, since the farmer can
dispose of his flax in the green state, it is the least
troublesome plant that can enter in the rotation
of crops.
The farmer has but to grow the plant to the
utmost perfection that good culture, the par-
ticularities of his soil, seed, and season will admit
of, and everything respecting the flax crop is
over for him ; it must therefore be said that, when
the seed is sown in April, the farmer has nothing
• It is satisfactory to state that many large landed proprietors
have taken the flax-culture under their earnest and serious con-
sideration. Last season I had a short interview on the subject
with the Duke of Richmond, the Karl of Willoughby d'Eresby,
the Earl Zetland, Lord Sondes, the Earl Chichester, the Agent
of the Duke of Sutherland, Lord Faversham, Lord Walsingham,
Lord Kinnaird, Lord Colborne, and others, all of whom were
about to try some experiments. The Earl of Talbot and Lieut. -
General Kirrison, whose estates I had the pleasure to visit, were
large growers last season.
SUGGESTIONS OONCKBNINO FLAX INDi STHY. 85
more to look for < the amour
his crop in tin latter part of July. Cun so mm h
be !• a any olhei crop I
Sir James Graham, after having made some
ilka Mid mim-( Mi.msof less importance, refers
to a latter from the Messrs. Marshall, of Leeds,
thr extensive flax >pinners. It appears from this
letter that the farmers near Patrington are now
growing tlax mi their own acrrimt, ami -ell thr
crop to the Messrs. Mar-hall, wbea rcadj for
pulling, at from li to 1 1 /. j>er acre ; but to in-
trodace the lax-culture in that part of the coun-
try, the Messrs Marshall were at the first outset
obliged to take the land from the farmers at a
price, and lake tin- whole management of
crop upon themselves, but it seems that the
mers at present have come to better senses. As
th« agriculturists in this country will alv
attach much price to their seed ami trash, it
would b profitable for then to have
seed taken off on their own premises; then tl
Id have their OWll hn-ks, chaff, and leaves,
all of which can be economically used on
i ;• when the farmer cannot find a favourable
• Tho flax-teed should decidedly be kept by the farmer, it being
much more valuable to him than to the party that purchases the
straw, it being nothing but an incumbrance to the latter ; besides,
the fsrmcr can more economically nee the husks, the chaff, and
leaves of the plant, it being a most valuable manure for clover and
grass; nobody without trying can form an idea of what rapid
sr>
THE FLAX INDUSTRY.
market in the green state : the flax afterwards is
to be disposed of by weight ; the present average
price is from 21. 10s. to 41. per ton ; the average
weight is 2 tons per English acre.
Sir James Graham then read the following
statement of the cost of production and value of
2 acres and 20 perches of flax grown on Crofthead
last year : —
"Cost of Production and Value of 2 acres 20 perches of
Flax on Crofthead Farm. — Season 1851.
Produce. £ , d
To 38 bushels of seed at 6s. per bushel . .118 0
3 tons 18 cwt. of straw at 60*. per ton . 11 14 0
23 2 0
Cost.
By two ploughings, harrowing, sowing, rolling,
&c, at 16s. per acre
6 bushels of seed at 10*. per bushel
Weeding, cost 9*. Sd. per acre .
Pulling, harvesting, thatching, &c, cost 21*
per acre .....
Rent of land, rates, &c, 26*. per acre .
Housing and thrashing seed at 12*. per acre .
Carriage of straw to Carlisle at 6*. per ton
14
0
0
4
16
10 15
1 5
1 3
13 4 0
Produce
Cost
23
13
NetproEt . £9 18 0
Profit 4/. 13*. per acre."
effect this refuse makes upon the growth of grass and clover.
In Belgium, although the farmer sells his flax crop green on the
field, he nevertheless keeps the seed to himself.
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING FLAX INDUSTRY. 87
Sir James said that lie had committed two
mistakes in trying the experiment; first, be had
grown it after turnip*, and the had had only
had one ploughing! am! not a deep one.
If such a quality of flax can be grown on tur-
nip land having <>nly had one ploughing, and
not a deep one, what will be the consequence
when the plant will be grown on the proper land,
and shall have had all the ]>ul\< n/ation and fer-
tilization required ?
Agriculturists the suggestions, statements, and
facts just laid before you, respecting the flax-cul-
ture, are decidedly of the most encouraging
nature, and cannot fail to inspire yon with confi-
dence in the future success of the flax cultivation.
88 THE FLAX INDUSTRY.
XIV.
The Flax-Plant in a Social and Moral
Point of View.
I have said that the flax-plant possesses also
incalculable advantages when considered in a
social and moral point of view, and will give a
few extracts from good authority in support of
my advancement.
At the annual meeting of the Royal Flax
Society in Belfast in November, 1846, Mr. Shar-
man Crawford, M.P., in moving the adoption of
the report, made the following remarks : —
" It will he desirable now to consider what the resources
of the country will admit of, and to take a review of the pro-
duction of flax, which may be created from the lands of
Ireland, properly managed on a rotation system. In the
report of the Commissioners for the return of the population
they found that the portions of the land of Ireland fit for the
purposes of agriculture, exclusive of all other d< scriptions,
amount to 13,464,320 acres. Instead of one-eighth, which
has been shown is perfectly consistent with good farming,
let us suppose only one-sixteenth appropriated to flax, we
should have 841,518 acres. 6 cwt., or about one-third of
a ton, is considered a fair average produce by the acre ; that
would give no less than 252,455 tons, and, at 45/. per ton,
the value would be 11,360,475/.; then, with regard to the
employment which the cultivation of the plant gives, and
which is a most important consideration, it has been shown
80CI MORA!. VIEW OF FLAX. 89
that, independently of •pinning, an acre of fine flax gives em-
ployment for a year to nineteen persons In manufacturing
it into pocket band kerchiefs ; and, if •pinners be added,
there would be an addition of forty-four women, making
altogether sixty-three persons.
i Wit some people may think that an exaggerated state-
ment; therefore, let it be supposed that one acre of flax
would be equal to the employment and support of one family
for the year ; then the result would be, supposing that one-
sixteenth only of the lands of Ireland to be in flax, there
would be 841,518 families so supported; and taking each
family at the usual average < it number luaU
sustained would be 4,207,590, equal to about one half of the
whole population of Ireland. Let us consider in how small
a degree the manufacture of flax has hitherto advanced, and
look at the means and capabilities of Ireland — the immense
water-pou instance, which was wasted. But I nope
that there will be a change that will induce the men of
Ireland to look to the water-power, for, if they do, the
remunerative prices of flax will be greatly increased.
44 Mr. William Blakely, a tenant of the Dean of Dromore,
in the townland of Coreelany, near Waringstown, grew last
season (1843) three statute acres (about 1 acred roods 16 poles
Irish measure) of flax, which he manage*. according
to the directions of the Society for the Promotion and Im-
provement of the Growth of Flax in Ireland. The produce
of this field has been recently purchased at 15s. per stone by
Messrs. M4 Murray and Henning, of Waringstoun. th«
nent cambric manufacturers, who say it is equal, if not su-
perior, to any flax they ever saw before, and that they have
given 86s. per stone for foreign flax of an inferior quality.
V large portion of this flax has been delivered to Messrs.
M'Murray and Co., but some still remains to be dressed by
elebrated machinery of .-ady. Should
this part be as productive as that already furnished, the entire
produce of the three acres will be 120 stone, which at Lna,
will give to the farmer 90/. ; but he has a certainty of 100
stone, which will realise him 757.
90 THE FLAX INDUSTRY.
•• This flax is now in process of conversion into cambric
pocket handkerchiefs; it is capable of being spun to tliirtv
hanks to the pound, and is to be spun by hand. Mark, now,
the employment this will give.
•It will give constant employment, for twelve months,
to 158 women to spin it j 18 weavers will be occupied a like
period in weaving; and it will employ 40 women for a year
to hemstitch (or vein) the handkerchief'-, thus giving con-
stant employment for twelve months to 210 persons.
" It is curious to trace the result of the process which this
flax is now undergoing; it will produce 210 webs of cambric,
each web containing five dozen handkerchiefs ; each dozen
will be worth 50*., and the entire when finished will be worth
2600/."
However much the production of an acre of flax,
when manufactured in superior Irish fabrics, m;i\
appear, it is not to be compared with the superior
productions of the Belgian and French fabrics.
A fact which I have already mentioned, and can
be proved, is, that one acre of flax of extraordi-
nary fineness and quality has produced in some
instances from 20,000/. to 30,000/., when con-
verted into Brussels lace called Dentelles Point
Bruxelles, travaillees a la main, en fil de lin, and
other superior articles. The social and moral
benefits the flax and linen manufacture have made
in East and West Flanders during the last twenty
years, and especially during the last few years,
are incalculable. My native village is actually
enjoying the most happy and beneficial results
from the manufacture of mouchoirs, batistes,
linons, and toiles, established a few years since
at Wevelghem, near Courtrai, by my friend,
80- !. VIEW OF tH
M. Van Ackere. The articles exhibited by him at
the I-ondon Great Exhibition irere much admired
by all competent judges, and to which the jury
has awarded an honourable mention. Indeed,
this precious branch of industry should not be
lost sight of, the more so because the flax-spinning
machinery can only, op to the present day, spin
No. 260. whilst the finest yarns spun by hand
for the superior Brussels lace are No. 1200
(derides a l'Anglaise) ; thus, that this yarn is
about five times as fine as that produced by ma-
chinery. We all know that the hand-spinning
is totally superseded by the machinery, except
for those lucrative articles the demand for which
has i raMy increased for the last few years;
and it is not likely that machinery will ever
be brought to such perfection as to spin those
very fine numbers of yarns, and, therefore, this
bunch of industry will ever be precious, and c
tin ue to provide employment of the most genteel
description for the more delicate sex. Indeed,
the making of lace is one of the most elegant and
remunerative occupations that a female can per-
form. Such a branch of precious industry ought
to be introduced in England (on the same footing
as it exists in France and Belgium), where thou-
sands of females are in want of genteel and delicate
employment This would no doubt contribute in
creating comfort and social and moral benefits.
The following fact is a fair specimen of the
92 THE FLAX IMHSTRY.
beneficial effect which the flax industry lias
already made upon morality and social comfort
through the exertions of Mr. Warm-
Chevalier Claussens, in his pamphlet 'Flax
Movement/ says, —
" One word upon the social advantages which must result
from an extended cultivation of flax, and my rtUAlks will
have been brought to a close. Upon this point I cannot do
better than quote a few words from the report of one of the
special correspondents of the Montiny Chronicle, who vi>ite«l
the small village of Trimingham, where Mr. Warnes has for
several years most sedulously and successfully devoted him-
self to the cultivation and preparation of the plant.
" * The condition of the inhabitants of the village,' he says,
* was a few years since most deplorable, and the amount of
pauperism exceeded that of the adjoining parishes.
" * Since the introduction of flax-culture, this state of things
has passed away. There is not a pauper in the pari*h ; the
poor-rates are nominal ; there is not an able-bodied labourer
or any portion of his family who may not obtain constant em-
ployment throughout the whole of the year ; and the moral
and social state of the village will bear comparison with most.
If the growth of flax can produce results elsewhere similar to
those which I have witnessed at Trimingham, there can be
no doubt that the sooner it is cultivated to a great extent in
this country, the sooner will the enormous burden of pau-
perism decrease, and happiness and contentment be more
generally diffused among the large masses of our labouring
population.'
" The communication was received with considerable ap-
plause."
Having myself resided near the village for
several years, I can but corroborate the foregoing
statement.
l.D AND STRENGTH OF BRITISH FLAX. 93
XV.
Id and Strength of British Flax.
One feature connected with the flax-culture in
country should not be overlooked, since the
following facts assume the roost paramount im-
jMWt.UHV.
During the course of my practical experimt
in the culture and manufacture of flax in Nor-
folk, I have convinced mvstlf that one of the
most important characteristic qualities which the
plant derive* from Britisli soil and climate is
yield and strength.
Ha* -tivngth is a most essential quality, and
abundant yield is generally coupled with good
strength, the same as little yield and weak flax
are generally coupled together. Little yield and
weak flax is oftentimes caused through over
steeping. The greater yield I have heard of
since the ten years that 1 am in this country is
that fn»in an acre of flax grown by the Honour-
able Captain Rous, of Worstead House, near
Norwich, it being 7 cwt. 34 lbs. of clean flax
per English acre. 1 lie next is the yield of 3 acres
grown by Sir Henry Durrant, of Sent fcoi Hall,
near Norwich, which produced 1 ton 20 lbs. of
94 Tin: fi.ax industry.
clean flax. One acre grown by Mr. Charles
Utting, of Heverton St. John, near Norwich,
produced 6 cwt. 68 lbs. of clean flax. The latter
IT8I the finest of the three lots. This flax was
prepared by myself, and the greatest part of it
was sold to the Messrs. Marshall and the Messrs.
Haves and Atkinson, of Leeds, and was found
above the usual strength of flaxes. This flax
fetched then (1844) 60/. per ton, but would now
realise 75Z. This statement may perhaps appear
exaggerated respecting the great yield just alluded
to, and must therefore once more, and once for
all, say, that I have no interest in any exaggera-
. having not for the moment the slightest
personal interest in the flax industry of tin's
country, nor in that of any other country. If I
take an interest in it, it is for the public good,
and because I feel partial to a branch of in-
dustry in which many of my family have been
profitably engaged since more than half a cen-
tury. But to return to the subject of the yield of
the flax-plant.
I shall now refer to two statements which have
ady been brought under the notice of the
public. Mr. Druce, of Eynsham, near Oxford,
grew, in 1850, 5 acres 2 rods 36 perches, which
have produced, according to Mr. Druce's own
statement, 12 tons 2 cwt. 2 qrs. of flax-straw,
which would give 2 tons of clean flax.
YIELD AND STRENGTH OF BR1TIBH FLAX. 95
Sir James Graham's experiment of last year,
of 2 acres 20 perches grown on Crofthead farm,
led 3 tons Is cwt. of flax-straw, which would
produi < It owl of clean flax ready for market.
The yield of the different foregoing statements is
at least 30 per cent, more than the average pro-
duce of the flax-crop in Ireland.
In the Report of the Royal Flax Society of
1 - 19, a statement was made of (he quantity of
fibre per acre produced in fourteen districts of the
north of Ireland, according to returns made by
the local farming societies. This statement shows
age to be a little under 5 cwt. per statute
acre, the lowest being 31 cwt., and the highest
7 cwt. In the provinces of Connaught and
Munster the returns do not exceed 4 cwt.,
making a total average for Ireland of about
41 cwt to the statute acre. In England, parti-
cularly in Yorkshire and Norfolk, 5| cwt. may
be t. ii the mean produce, and in Belgium
the average is 7 cwt. per English acre.
.o produce in raw flax or in flax straw has
been ascertained in several parts of Ireland to be
40 to 45 cwt. per statute acre (65 to 78 cwt per
Irish acre), weighed when quite dry and before
ling. In York-hire, it appears from published
nts that BO to 55 cwt. per statute acre
(80 to 89 cwt per Irish acre) are commonly
grown.
96 E FLAX IXDl
XVI.
Flax-spinning increase in Ireland since 1841,
when the Flax Society was establisJied.
In the Annual Report to the Committee of the
Royal Flax Society for the year 1850 we find
the following : —
" When this society was founded, in 1841, the Irish flax-
spinning trade consisted of about 250,000 spindles. With
the increase which has since taken place, and that now making,
nearly 390,000 spindles will be in operation next year. The
consumption of flax in Irish factories in 1841 was estimated
at 16,000 tons; on the same data it will be, next year, about
25,000, being an increase of 9000 tons. Taking 5 cwt. of
flax as the average produce per statute acre, this increase
would alone require an additional breadth of 36,000 acres,
being more than one half of the entire Irish growth ; while,
to supply the Irish flax spinners would take 100,000 a
being 30,000 more than the present average sowing.
" To extend the comparison over the United Kingdom, we
find that, while the import of foreign flax in the years 1840,
1841, and 1842 averages annually 62,500 tons, in 1848, 1849,
and 1850, to the 10th of October in each year, it averaged
83,800, an increase of 21,300 tons ; that increase alone being
nearly equal to the production of 84,600 acres. If, there-
fore, the large extent of the Imports of foreign flax was dwelt
upon in 1841, when the society was formed, it is evident that
the arguments in favour of increasing the extent of flax cul-
tivation in Ireland are strengthened in the ratio of the in-
crease which has since taken place. Your committee would
97
beg your attention to a tot which cannot be too frequently
enforced oo public attention, rix. that, while Ireland at
preaent pruritic** only about 60,000 acrea of flat, to supply
the existing demand in the United Kingdom for the different
product* of the crop nearly 500,000 acrea would be annually
required ; and also, that, with the exception of a smaller
proportion of the finer flaxes of Belgium, the entire of the
foreign import could be replaced with Irish, to the great ad-
vantage of the linen trade, from the superiority of the latter.
N in the event of a greatly increased production of flax in
Ireland, is the market limited to the quantity required by
the British Isles, for France, Belgium, Spain, the United
State* of America, and other countries, might be calculated
upon as customers to a considerable extent
lis extract indicates nothing less than that
Ireland seems to be destined to be one of the
greatest producing countries for flax and linen in
the world. The trade is one whose connection
with agriculture renders its success a matter of
the most vital importance, tor not only does it
tin ploy a large number of male aud female ope-
ratives, but it is at the same time capable of
being made a source of vast wealth to the rural
population.
u
98 Tin-: ii. ax INDUS?
XVII.
■/cs System of Steeping.
I have already said that without the flax-
factorship be established in this country, the
farmer will never feel strongly inclined to grow
flax ; but let factors establish themselves, and
the farmers will extensively grow the crop ; but
as the conveniences of water for steeping the
plant (although numerous) are not perhaps
exactly so general in England as in Ireland,
Schenck's system will in many instances be pare*
B 'i red by the factors, and will undoubtedly be
the means of increasing and accelerating the rlax-
culture in this country.
Messrs. Bernard and Koch, in their pamphlet
on Schenck's system of steeping, recommend
that
" Parties desirous to enter into this new branch of business
in districts where flax has not been usually grown, should
ascertain —
" Whether the general character of the land is suitable
for the growth of flax ;
" Whether a sufficient quantity is likely to be grown in
the immediate neighbourhood — say ten miles round ;
" The quality of the water, and if a constant supply for
the retting process can be had during the whole of the year.
M
I hey ftUouM also engage a pernio who thoroughly
stands the flax-growing to select the land In the fir»t in lance,
and to give tho general direction* a* to the management of
the crop ap to the harvesting, tty doing tans they will
iuce at the onaet the beat method, mid avoid the risk of
trial* made without practical knowledge. 'This remark applies
chiefly to Eaglaud, iu many part* of which the flax-crop is
not generally understood, and whew prejudice*
The; ig explanations on 8
*v>t«-tii will atiurd prartiral mfortmitMNI Ml tin-
feet: —
•• Locality of ▲ Rrrraftr.
In the selection of a site for a rettery the following
requisite*, which are all of importance, must be kept io view.
They are—
M An open apace of four to eight statute acres, according
to the proposed size of the establishment, ■ecoaaiblo by goad
roads, and unsheltered by either bilk or plantation*, to ensure
quick drying.
istant supply of pure soft water for retting, having,
if possible, a fall of six feet, by which pumping k BToideti
" A good outlet tor the waste water.
f a village, or of cottages, from which a
■nt number of hands can be obtained.
If the machinery is to be dl iwer it is
absol t-ssary that the mppfy of water be never failing.
Great inconveniences and serious losses would be caused by
a partial stoppage of the work during the beat season ; it
would then be found necessary to erect a steam-engine wale*
would cause an additional outla\
CoxsTKtt-riox or a KsrrrcaY.
To explain tin oonatracCvon <•!' a retterj imild-
1 innot do better than give almost an ex-
H 2
100 Tin: ii. \\ ENDU8TOT.
tract from the work of Messrs. Bernard and
Koch, who write as follows : —
" The manner of laying out the buildings of a rettery must
vary according to local circumstances ; but there are some
principles which must in all cases be kept in view. Economy
of labour || aimed at in all manufacturing establishments, and
in a rettery this point is of paramount importance. Flax is
very bulky, and has to undergo so many manipulations in its
dry and wet state, that the arrangements must be such as to
save all unnecessary handling, carrying, and labour of any
kind. For this purpose the different operations must be
carried on in distinct places contiguous to each other, and, in
order to avoid any confusion, they should follow each other
in onward direction. Ample space must be given in each
department, wan! of room being of great disadvantage."
According to Messrs. Bernard and Koch's ex-
planation, the buildings consist of the following
compartments : —
" The seeding room with loft above.
" The vat-house and spreading room.
" The drying sheds.
" The desiccating house.
" The store sheds.
" The scutching mill and engine or waterwheel house.
" The seeding room must be of large size, so as to allow
ample room for the manipulation, and to contain a stock of
flax. For the greater facility of bringing the flax in, it
should be on the ground-floor, be lofty enough, and have
doors sufficiently large to admit loaded carts or trucks. It
should be so situated that a shaft can be brought in and
driven from the main power, and so that it be in commu-
nication with the vat-house.
" The loft is used for cleaning and storing the seed, and
for various other purposes: it should have a good strong
floor.
scenon imn <»k stkkii km
M The vat-hou** and spreading room consist of a grand
Boor only. They em bo built together, with a valley-roof
resting on pillar*. The portion of roof over the vats should
have coven to give ventilation and to allow the (Vat
of the vapour* which arise from the vats. Asphalu
a good floor for the spreading room. All the doors ahonld
be at least six feet wide. Hooped wooden vats, oval shape,
having been found to answer best ; they resist the pressure
oaneed during the fermentation, and are not liable to fre-
quent leakage; they are also handy to work, and can be
easily repaired. Wooden square vats, however strongly made,
do not keep stanch for a long time.
The drying shads are to be erected on an open space,
well exposed to the winds, and not far distant from the
spreading room. They must be placed at right angles with
the prevailing wind, and at fifty or sixty feet distance from
each other.
" The desiccating bouse i* ito two separate rooms,
each to contain the flax of one day's work. A fire-proof con-
struction is to be preferred.
•• The store-sheds are necessary for housing the dried flax
previous to its being scutched. They should be erected
the scutching mill, and made so as to allow carts to go
The scutching mill mu«t be immediately adjoining to the
power, whether steam or water; it must be dry and well
lighted, and of sufficient dimensions to contain besides the
machinery a stock of flax-straw, and to give plenty of room
to the workers.
The stack-yard should be situated as near as possible to
the main work, and facing the seeding house.
A'oaas raaroaiiKD is a Kettkbt.
The seeding b done by a machine made expressly for
the purpose and acting by means of rollers, between which
the seed-end of the flax is passed sidewtse two or three times,
the capsules or bolls are crushed, and the seed fells out
uninjured, the flax-straw being neither crushed nor put out of
102 Till II A \ INDUSTRY.
sh;i|H>. After the huts have passed through t ho machine, tli.y
are lashed to shake out the loose seed and the broken hulls.
M As the flax requires to be in a dry state for that operation,
a stock equal to several days' work should always be kept in
the seeding ho use. This stock to he renewed whenever the
state of the weather permits.
*' The seed and bolls are then passed through a dressing
machine fitted for the proper sieves. Seed intruded for sow-
ing should receive a double cleaning to remove all liuht
pickle. The clean seed should be kept on a well ventilated
loft, and be allowed to remain some time exposed to the air,
receiving occasional turnings before it is put into bags —
barrels are better.
14 The bolls or chaff are excellent food for cattle when
steamed and mixed with turnips.
" Several other methods of seeding have been resorted to,
but they are all open to objections.
" Threshing machines cause a great waste, and damage
the ends of the flax, and part of the seed is left in the centre
of the but. Rippling requires a large space and numerous
hands; is too slow and expensive; besides, in this case, as
with the threshing machine, the bolls have to be crushed
afterwards. Beating seed off by hand is less objectionable,
but it is only applicable on a smaller scale.
'• Sorting.
11 This work must be done very carefully, and requires ex-
perienced hands. The sorters have to separate the different
qualities, according to colour and length, forming new buts
containing but one quality.* They pass these new buts to
* '1 he object of sorting is not only to separate the different
colours and lengths, but it is of much more consequence to sepa-
rate the coarse and fine and the parts that have been lyinu', ns these
three different sorts, if steeped together, will cause great waste in
the scutching; besides, when scutch"! together and intermingled
with the better i>art of the fibre, it makes it altogether of an inferior
quality.
BCIi 8T8TKM OF 8TKK1M
the binder*, who tie thorn singly, as handed to them, keeping
the root* square, Kush bends art preferable. It b a good
plan to cut off the root* by a machine like a chaff-cutter, as it
fraffitatea the after handling ; the buu are now eeleeted and
piled np aocording to quality. The object of eeeding if to
nave every vat filled with the tame outer lotion of flax, which
eneorei a more uniform rotting and more oven quality. The
its it now ready to go into the vat.
KTTIKO OB STBKI'iaO.
<( In order to liave in every vat at nearly at possible tin-
same relative proportions of flax and water, it is well to weigh
the flax before potting it into the vat: the buU must be
placed carefully upright, the root* retting on the false bot-
toms, and pressed slightly together by the workman at he goes
on filling, care being taken that all be straight to facilitate
a free upward circulation of the heated water and the gases.
When the vat is filled with flax, the covert are put on and
secured with cross-bars, so at to keep the flax 4 or 5 inches
immersed in the water. The vats are then filled up with cold
water, and enough steam is tumed on to raise the beat to
90 degrees in about eight hour- ; tne temperature of the
water it not to exceed at any time 90 degrees, but must be
kept uniformly at that degree day and night during the whole
rrtting process. This is easily effected by letting in steam
whenever the temperature begins to mil. The flax mutt not
be left any length of time in the cold water, as it would
retard the fermentation ; therefore the vats must not be filled
u iih cold water long before the time the steam it to be put on.
i at number of hours for the retting are to be reckoned
from the time the steam is turned on first. The duration of
the process averages about sixty -six hours, but varies ao»
cording to circumstances such as the following :• —
• If flax can be considerably deteriorated in strength by bemg
half a day too long in cold water, what must it be when left a few
bourn too long in but water ? The •fleet of an hour in hot water
104 THK II. W INPI STKV.
I he Qttality of the Water.— That which is soft and more
suitable for fermenting purposes will produce a more active
an<i quicker retting.
The De$crii>(i",i <f Flar. — Good sound well -matured
and well-saved flax requires more retting tlian unripe, green
pulled, or otherwise damaged flax.
" Quality aimed at. — If the object is to bring the fibre to
great fineness, the retting must be carried on longer than for
obtaining a stronger but coarser article.
" In some cases a temperature of 80 and 85 degrees may
be advantageously used, but the retting will then require a
longer time than with the water at 90 degrees.
" One of the best tests for ascertaining when flax is pro-
perly retted is to take a few stalks of average fineness, which
are broken in two places, about three inches apart; if the
wood so broken separates easily on being drawn downwards,
without tearing the fibre or retaining any part of it, the flax
ti sufficiently retted, and the water may be run off.
" It may answer in some cases to give two successive
rettings to some flax. Strong hearty flax will be improved
by this double operation, but of course it increases the ex-
penses. After the first retting, flax must be thoroughly
dried before it is put again in the water for the second ope-
ration.
" Drying.
" It is important that flax should be dried as quickly as
possible, to prevent any further decomposition. For this
purpose, it is spread between the holders which are suspended
under the drying sheds. These holders consist of a double
wooden rod, fastened together with a wire staple and bag in
the centre, and by metal rings at each end. The under-rod
is placed on a table, flax is spread evenly over it, and the
makes more than half a day in cold water ; it therefore necessarily
follows that the hot water system of steeping must be a peculiar
mode of steeping, and if great attention is required in the cold
water steeping, it must be so ten-fold in the hot water steeping.
iu:>
rod is put on and fastened, a* mentioned above.
It take* fifty holder* for each cwt. of Aax, neighed when
dry.
1 lie flex bee to remain three days under tin- drying-eheds,
in favourable weather it will be quite fit for being tied end
stacked ; but if the atmosphere U damp, the drying most be
completed by means of artificial heat, which should not ex-
ceed 90 to 100 degrees. This last process meet be watched
very carefully, fur if the flax be overdried its quality may be
considerably impaired. Flax must iu no case be scutched
immediately after drying ; it should first be put into stacks,
or Mete open sheds, whore it has to rest. Six weeks is
eonssdeted to be of sum* •• to bring it to its scutching
l*,uit.
" S< i
44 Flax can be scutched either by hand or by machinery.
Hand-scutching, although productive of good results when
performed by a skilful workman, is not practicable on a very
large scale, owing to the dil »g the number
of trained hands necessary for the work ; machinery meet ne-
cessarily be resorted to. With that at present in use the opera-
tion of scutching requires, on the part of the workman,
practice and experience ; in fact, it is a profession of itself;
a description would be quite inadequate to convey a correct
Idem of it, and would in no case enable a person to do the
work who had not learned it practically. Machines have
been brought out lately, calculated to dispense with skilled
labour, and there is every probability that they will be brought
to work satisfaction 1\ .
44 The shoves, or woody part, produced at the scutching
mill are used as fuel, three tons of which are equal to one ton
of coals in raising steam.
i.Asetito.
I >n leaving the scutching mill, flax has finally to be
classed according to iu value and quality, and to be made up
into bundles, after which it is ready for marker. Kach ret-
THK I'!. AX lXMSTKY.
tery should adopt a regular classification for ilio different
qualities, each being always represented by the same mark and
d< nomination. This will facilitate the sale.
'• In order to give an approximate idea of the outlay in-
volved in the erection o{a rettery, and of the ootf ttf labour,
the following estimates for the establishment of* two different
sizes have been carefully calculated, and a statement of the
number of hands required by each is also subjoined.
'• Kettkry calculated to consume thb Produce or Two
lh ndred Acres.*
" Plant.
vats, of 3000 gallons, with steam- £. «. d. £. *. d.
pipes, cocks, &c. - - - - - L40
Main steam-pii>c and main cock
Water-pijKJ and 4 cocks or valves -
1 drying-rods and rings -
Seeding machine -----
Root-cutting machine -
Dressing machine and sieves -
Desiccating apparatus -
Weighing-bridge -
Sundry implements — tables, barrows, &c.
£.
8.
£
L40
0
0
10
0
0
12
0
0
0
0
us
6
()
4
0
0
8
0
D
60
0
0
20
0
0
86
0
<>
160
0
0
].-,
0
<)
140
0
0
Twelve-horse boiler, and eight-horse high-
pressure steam-engine -
Shafting -------
Scutching machinery -
" li a lb lings.
Seeding-house— 2 stories, 80 by 25 feet,
walls 20 feet high, slated roof, ground-
floor asphalted, upper floor 3-inch plank 300 0 0
360 0 0
315 0 0
Carried forward - - - - 300 0 0 675 0 0
* A plan of these buildings is added to the work on flax by
A. Bernard ami Koch.
SC 111
107
■ .
0
II fl
rward - - 100
Vat-house ami uproailing-room— 80 by 86
fa*, walla 10 feet high, felt roof,
asphalted floor In •preading-room
8cutching-mill foot, wall. 11
fot high, alaUnl roof, asphalted floor - UO
Engine-house and chimney -
Desiocnting-bouse— 20 by 20 feet, brick
walls, plastered inaide and ceiled, elated
roof, or iron beams and brick arches, to
be Are-proof ------ 60
Dryinreheds-dght shed.. feet,
all wood- - - - .-100
Store-sheds— two sheds, 60 by 1C feet, all
oO 0 0
£.
676
0 0
U O
820 0 0
Total
- - £ 1,496 0 0
i ease of water-power being employed instead
steam-engine, a portable upright boiler will be
cost of which is 50/ >t r.^mringa
■ ill .fleet a saving of about 100/.
of a
• HtwU sjayiajad*
Ham.
Boy..
Qlito.
••General work . . .
■
. . . .
•<» . ...
Seeding* .
Betting sad drying . .
Ditto
Ditto . . •
1 Manager
1 Payfirema
1 Night-firrm
1 Watchman
1 Man .
lMan .
1 Man .
1 Fir ii m
1 lattriMfi
1 Makcr-up
n .
0
0
0
0
1
0
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
10
0
8
0
Total . .
17
1
S3- 48
six months of the year only.
ins Tin: ri ax indcstiiv.
" KkTTERT CALCULATED TO CON8UMK THE PRODUCE OF FOUR
IIim.i;i:i) Acres.
" I'bluf.
44 Twelve vats of 3000 gallons, with steam- £. $. d. £. $. d.
pipes, cocks, feix - - - -
Main steam-pipe and main cock
Water-pipe and 8 cocks -
10,000 drying-rods and rings -
Two seeding machines -
Hoot-cutting machine -
Dressing-machine and sieves -
Desiccating apparatus -
Weighing-bridge -
Sundry implements — tables, barrows, &c.
£.
t.
d.
880
0
0
10
0
0
24
0
0
110
0
0
30
0
0
4
0
0
8
0
0
90
0
0
20
0
0
54
0
0
Sixteen-horse boiler and twelve-horse
liii;h-pressurc steam-engine - 240 0 0
Slmfting ------- 20 00
Scutching machinery - 240 0 0
" //////■/,
44 Seeding-house— 84 by 36 feet, 2 stories,
walls 20 feet high, slated roof, ground
floor asphalted, upper floor 3-inch plank 400 0 0
Vat-house and spreading-room— 84 by 56
feet, walls 10 feet high, felt roof, with
valley and iron columns, asphalted floor
in spreading- room ----- 200 0 0
Scutching-mill— 50 by 36 feet, walls 11
feet high, slated roof, asphalted floor - 100 0 0
Engine-house and chimney - - - 100 0 0
Desiccating-house — 40 by 20 bet, brick
walls, plastered inside and ceiled, slated
roof, or with iron beams and arches, to
make it fireproof - - - - -100 00
Drying-sheds— 8 sheds, 84 by 12 feet, all
wood - - - - - - - 200 0 0
Store-sheds— 4 sheds, 60 by 16 feet, all
wood ------- 100 00
0 0
500 0 0
1260 0 0
Total - - - £2390 0 0
100
Montis employed.
—
Mm.
tap
«h
"Onmlwork .
1 Manager
I
o
••,. . . .
1 Day -fireman •
1
0
Ditto ....
1 Ntgotflreman .
o
0
Ditto ....
itchman .
0
1
Ditto ....
2 Men . . .
4
0
Seeding*
1 Foreman . .
0
Ditto
2. Men . . .
0
14
Retting and drying . .
2 Men . . .
1
to
flunking .
1 Foreman . .
0
0
Ditto .
16 Scutchers . .
o
IS
Ditto
S Makers-op. .
0
0
Total . . .
.
9
4«-8ft
44 The patentees are anxious to afford to parties entering
into this business the information and advice which -
experience enables them to give. Whenever the erection of
a rettery has been decided upon, they will, if it is required,
visit the intended locality, so as to assist in laying out the
establishment ; and they will contribute as much as lies in
their power to place each new concern on such a looting as
44 Communications to be addressed A. Bernard and Kben,
Bei&st."
• For six mouths of the year only.
l io tin- flax iM'i ran
XVIII.
Belgian Flax- Factorship.
The establishment of a rettery on Schenck's
system, with all the requisites to set at work,
comprising a stock of 400 acres of flax, would
require a capital of from 6000/. to 7000/. Many
individuals of enterprise are quite ready to lay
out this sum and to embark in this business, if a
few starters could but show that capital can be
thus profitably invested, but, until this be evi-
dently proved, it is doubtful whether parties will
be forthcoming with the speed which the urgency
and importance of the flax-culture demands; yet
it is upon the establishment of the flax- factorship
that the flax-growers of this country are looking
up for a market; and as only but a few will start
this season to establish retteries on Schenck's
system, I should strongly recommend for the
present the adoption of the Belgian flax-factor-
ship system.
The expenses for buildings to establish a flax
manufacture for the fabrication of 100 acres of
flax would not be more than 200/., there being*
nothing else wanted than a scutch ing-place for
MEUilAN II A\ i iill HI
i n. I i. ;, i. ui, therefore, be no ri.-k to run
in beginning tl»»- tla\-taetoi>hip <>n ii»,- Belgian
system; in- it furnishes a eans to
i<-<|i!.imt the |»;uties thus engaged to become
familiar with th. rations modew processes of
paring the Hax for market; and when t
roughly master of the hnsinsss. tin facto* can
thru make a b deulation, and see how far
it would answer bj| purpose to embark largely in
business; and it is but just to observe here,
if the Belgian system of flax- factorship
should uot answer, certain it is that Scheuck's
system will much less do so. My long
in tins country of the produce of flax
ami its expenses of fabrication < me to
give an accouut of what profits this branch of
husinjUS would realise to the flax-factor, if pro-
perly engaged in it
It should be recollected that the flax is sold in
Flanders to the factor a few days before the crop
is ready for pulling; the farmer sells the flax-
straw to the factor and retains the seed. I
moment the flax is sold, the E
to do with the management of the crop; the only
thin*: the farmer does in favour of the factor is to
give him his barns to take off the seed, his horses
and waggons to r< b is flax, and the use of
his meadows and waters. Tin priee of the flax
is generally paid down the moment that the pur-
112 Tin ;v.
ehaae takes place; thus, the farmer receives often
the amount of his crop while yet growing.
A flax-factor who has everything to learn
in this country could not pay more on an
average than 8/. per English acre;* the fabri-
cation of 100 acres of ilax would require about
20 men during the whole year, and 10 boys or
girls during the months of June, July, August,
and September. During these four months the
whole body, men and boys or girls, would be
employed in pulling, steeping, grassing, &c. : after
these processes are all over, which is then the
latter part of September or the beginning of
October, the 20 men begin the hand-scutching,
a process which can only be properly and profit-
ably performed during eight months of the year,
the scutching during the drought of summer being
very injurious to the flax, it reduces quality and
quantity to a considerable extent. The expenses
of labour may differ, perhaps, a little in some
counties in England ; labour in Norfolk may,
perhaps, be a trifle lower than in the manu-
facturing districts, but this cannot make a ma-
terial difference. The average price of what I
made of about 100 acres of flax was 601. per ton.
But the present flax price is 20 per cent, higher
than in 1845 ; besides, I need not say that there
♦ It is understood without the seed.
rotsmr. If J
is a fluctuation in the flax market, as in all other
articles, through scarcity or other circumstance*,
although the price of flax does not fluctuate so
much in the middle quality as in the superior
and inferior qualities.
PSODUCTIOX OF 100 AcRta or FlaX-STRA W.
£. * d.
100 acres of flax-straw produce SO tons of clean
scutched flax, rrady for market, at 66Z per tou - I860 0 0
74 tons of tow, :i- too - - - - - 11 J 10 0
1 10 ton* of shoves, at fi». per ton .... 88 0 0
Total - - -£2096 10 0
Tub Cost Prick and Kxpbxsrs or the Fabrication or
100 Acres or Flax.
£. s. tt
100 acres of flax-straw at 8/. per acre ... 800 0 0
Pulling, st 15s. per acre ------ 76 00
Tying-up and stacking, at 12s. per acre ... 80 0 0
Taking off the seed, at 8s. per acre .... 40 0 0
Steeping, at 20s. per acre ------ 100 0 0
Grassing, at 10s. per acre ------ 6000
Taming, at 6s. per acre ------ 26 O O
Tying-up and calling to the scotching establishment,
"*. per acre -------- 00
Sorting before scotching, at 6s. per acre - - - 26 0 0
per ton - - - - 460 0 0
Interest of building (200/.), at 6 per cent. - - 10 0 0
Total - - -£171000
Produce, brought forward - £ 2086 10
1710 0 0
-•fit hand-scutching - £ 386 10 0
The scutching under the Belgian modes of
i
114 'mi. n. ax INDU8TBY.
preparing the flax for market is all doiK l>\ hand,
a process which is considerably niori! expensive
than when done by machinery, but the hami-
scutching is doubly compensated by the extra
yield and superior quality that it produces.
Besides, the expenses of the implements for
the hand-scutching of 20 men would not be
more than 20/., they being exceedingly simple ;
instead of which, a flax-scutching mill, to scutch
from 400 to 500 acres of flax per year, would
cost from 200/. to 500/., as the machinery must
be driven either by water, horse, or steam power.
The difference in the produce upon 100 acres of
flax of the same quality, scutched by machinery,
would be as follows : —
Production or 100 Acres of Flax-straw, Scutched by
Machinery.
£. s. d.
100 acres of flax-straw produce 27 tons of clean
scutched flax, at 55/. per ton - 1485 0 0
10 tons of tow, at 15/. per ton ----- 150 0 0
110 tons of shoves, at 6*. per ton - 33 0 0
Total- - - -£1668 0 0
Expenses of the Fakrk-atiok of 100 Acres of Flax-Straw.
100 acres of flax-straw, at ?l. \>er acre
Pulling, at 15*. per acre -
Tying-up and stacking, at VJs. per acre
Taking off the seed, at 8*. per acre -
£.
t. d.
800
0 0
75
0 o
0 0
40
0 0
Carried forward - - - £ 975 0 0
ohsiiii- U5
X. i. d.
Brought forward - - - 97$ 0 0
8teepin?, at 2ftt. per tew ------ 100 0 0
Grassing, at 10*. par aora ------ 00 0 0
Turning, at :>*. per acre ------ 2500
Tying-up and carting to the scutching- mill, at Mi.
per acre --------- 00
Soutchtag CT tons, at 8/. per ton ... - il6 0 0
Total- - - -£143<1 0 0
Produce, brought forward - - - £ 1668 0 0
Kxpensee 1438 0 0
Net profit (mill-scutching) - J 0
two foregoing statements will show a ba-
lance of 1581 108. in favour of the lim<l-< nulling,
although 1 do not pretend to say that the hand-
scutching, notwithstanding its great superiority,
could always he practised on a very large *
in this Country ; • but I venture to suggest that
it would be prudent to begin the flax fabrication
on the methods adopted in Belgium, and I feel
satisfied that any individual, with a small capital
of from 1500/. to 2000/., and accustomed to a
rural life, would fiiul tin* flax fabrication a most
pleasant and remunerative business.
" Having the acutching establishment in the neighbourhood of a
populous place it the means of carrying it on more largely. Boys
from 16 to 17 years of age are the heat to become expert in the
hand-scutching. The flax fabrication from 100 to 150 acres will
generally pay better than to carry it on mora extensively ; more-
over, the more numerous the factors are the more competition there
is in the market, and it shortens the transportation of the bulky
article.
I 2
116 in
Before going to such considerable expenses
as a rettery on Schenck's system demands, why
not first make use of the natural economical
facilities which this country possesses in water-
streams for steeping the flax ? It is pretty well
proved and known that the flax steeped in the
Belgian method is of much greater value than
that steeped on any other mode.
Chevalier Claussens, notwithstanding the great
opinion he entertains of his own method of
steeping, says, in his pamphlet, * The Flax Move-
ment,'—
"Probably the best mode of steeping the flax is that
of placing it in running streams, according to the mode
adopted in Courtrai, the principal flax-growing district in
Belgium."
Among the numerous water-streams and rivers
which this country possesses, many are, perhaps,
as well qualified for steeping flax as the river Lys,
in Belgium : to put this to the test in submitting
them to the examination of a competent person
would be prudent.
HARTI8M1 ION 117
1/ 1 'inert Flam Amociatien*
Li-t icaion, 1851, lereral <>t" the taoaafl him*
en of Sir I boo, in the neighbourhood of
Eye, Suffolk, had expressed a wish to grow flax.
Mr. Edward Kerrison therefore took prompt
steps to promote the wishes of his father's tenant
fanners, and requested me to accompany him to
Oakley Park, and passed in the course of a few
days over a great portion of the estate, which I
found in a very high state of cultivation, and
most admirably adapted for the flax culture.
During the few day- thai I was there an associa-
tion was formed to introduce the growth of flax
on the estate of Sir E. Kerrison, in Suffolk, and
it is satisfactory to see, by the second public
meeting of that association, that already great
■nogwas hu* been made by ■ few lax-gromny
and that decisive steps are about to be taken to
secure a market for the farmers' flax-straw.
44 A meeting of the llartismere Flax Association was held
at the White Lion Hotel, on Monday last, Edward C. Kerri-
«on, Esq.. in the chair.
44 The Ciiaibm a*, in opening the meeting, pointed out. in
nest able manner, the many advantages that would result
118 mi: it-ax [NDUBTRY.
from a general culthation of flax, showing it would be remu-
nerative to the growers, lad a means of employment for the
poor. He also congratulated them upon the proposed erection
of a rettery and scutching-mill this spring, and thus esta-
blishing a home market, the want of which, up to the present
timr, has been the great obstacle to the growth of that inva-
luable plant.
" Mr. F. Stanford, of Darsham-hall, stated, for the
information of the meeting, the result of his cultivation of
four acres of flax last year. He obtained seven coombs of
seed per acre, now worth 30*. per coomb, and more than two
tons of fibre per acre, for which he had been offered 3/.
per ton.
" After statements from several other gentlemen, the fol-
low ing resolution was unanimously agreed to: — 'That, Mr.
Ludolf having signified his intention of purchasing all flax
grown in this district at a fair price, in due season, and of
establishing a rettery in this neighbourhood, this meeting are
of opinion that they may safely recommend farmers in this
district to commence preparing land for the growth of the
crop.'
" The Chairman stated that he could not allow the meet-
ing to separate without proposing a vote of thanks to Mr.
Henry Bishop, Mr. Henry Wells, and Mr. Robert Chase,
for the great assistance they have rendered the Association,
and in directing the attention of the farmers to the advantages
of cultivating flax.
"After which a vote of thanks was given to the Chair-
man, who, in reply, stated the pleasure he should have on
every occasion of promoting the object for which they had
met."
When about going to press I received the fol-
lowing communication : —
X ASHO« 119
Plax AssodetSoa, Bye,
DEAl SlB, :nru Kcbrumrj, ^ia
Enclosed I send you the Resolution agreed to on
the 2nd of February : since then Mr. Ludolf hue beeo at Eye
for the purpose of looking out a spot to erect hb mill.
Your* respectfully,
Mr. E. P. Drawn, % R Bianor,
S6, George Street. SecrHary.
At a Mooting held at the White Lion Hotel, Eye, on Monday,
February 2nd, 1862, the following resolution wu agreed to :—
I hat Mb. Ludolf having signified his intention of purchasing
all flax grown m thii district at a fair price in due srason, sad of
establishing a rettery in this neighbourhood, this meeting are of
opinion that they may safely recommend farmers in this diatrict
to commence preparing land for the growth of the crop.**
Growers of flax wishing to avail themselves of the Association's
Instructor, Mb. Samuel Neil, who is retained for a fortnight, are
requested to apply immediately to the Secretary, Ma. He* by
Bianor.
S.W.—Fka will momod e/ter oa/a, wheat, barley ', or
not after a turnip crop.
From the foregoing communication of the
Secretary of the Harti-m. n Flax Association it
will be Men that the flax-culture is also esta-
blished on a firm footing in some parts of Suffolk.
( 120 )
The following pages on the Cultivation and Manage-
ment of Flax were not on their original publication
designed to form part of the present volume, but such
an arrangement has been thought desirable on account
of the correspondence of subject with that which precedes.
I L A \ ;
ITf
CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT,
K \ I I l>
LANDLORDS Of I Hi. l.Mli.D DBGDOM,
A SMALL TOKKX Of OBATITVDE FOB TMK ACT* or KIXDXEM AVD
rmiKxtMHir reckivkd rmo» ucvhul
or DIBTIXCTIOX,
Til B AUTHOR.
1S6*.
K i
( 125 )
PREFACE TO TH I I IKST EDITION.
It is hoped that this little work, notwithstanding its many
defects, will he found useful, as offering the only exact
instruction* yet given of the improved methods to grow
and prepare Flax for spinning ; and although but little
acquainted with the English language, I have not thought
it proper to subjtrt it to the rerkioo of a person well
versed in it, from fear that perhaps, by altering my ex*
pressions, the real 'meaning of my instructions might be
misunderstood. My sole object has been to explain, in
my own brief and plain terms, the different modern pro-
DC win by which ran be obtained a crop superior in value
to any that the soil can otherwise produce.
( »fl )
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
The first important step which I considered indispensahle
to introduce and promote properly the Flax culture in
this country, was to publish a few pages illustrating
those various methods of growing and preparing Flax for
market which are so successfully adopted in that country
(Belgium), so renowned for all that is exquisite in fact of
flax. My information and instructions thus given have
been sought for with much avidity through the medium
of my little work ; and the patronage, support, and con-
gratulations I have received are very gratifying ; and
have naturally induced me to publish a Second Edition,
which I have augmented with interesting extracts from
the last Annual Report of the Royal Irish Flax Society ;
— I have also added some satisfactory authentic state-
ments of recent experiments made by clever English
Flax-growers.
It?
INTRODUCTION.
A native of Belgium, and from my younger yean
engaged as an extensive flax-grower and manufacturer, I
vu requested to render my humble services to the Royal
Irish Flax Society, and was engaged during the years
1841 and 1842 as the technical instructor of that Son
awl, in passing, it is scarcely needful for roe to add, that
those services have been acknowledged with gratitude by
those who have benefited by ray exertions.
In the above situation, and with the experience
many years in my own country in this important branch
of agriculture and native industry, it will readily be un-
derstood how ray advice, on many practical points in con-
nexion with the growth and management of flax, has
been continually sought by experimenting agriculturists
from all parts of the kingdom, and which I hope, even in
this age of book-making, will be considered a fair apology
for my publishing a few pages to simplify and practically
instruct the flax -growers of this country in " the various
Belgian methods of growing and preparing flax for the
market**
or having visited several counties in England, and
having analysed different sorts of soils and water, I can
confidently assert that this beautiful island is capable of
producing as good, and, even better, qualities of flax than
those countries from whence the finest flax is actually in-
128 FLAX
ported ; and it is a fact beyond all dispute, tliat its geo-
graphical position, as well as the elementary properties of
the soil and water, are most admirably adapted for the
growth and preparation of this valuable plant, which with
an abundance of capital and a good market at home (two
important advantages which this country possesses) might
become the most profitable staple commodity of British
agriculture and manufacture; for both ancient history*
and modern experience testify to the truth that the flax
pi mt it the most profitable known, which may be proved
t»\ the striking fact, that one acre of flax, when manufac-
tured into that precious article, Brussels lace, is worth
20,000/., most of which indeed is labour and profit.
It is needless for me to point out how strenuously the
efforts of the most zealous and scientific agriculturist
should be directed to the introduction and extension of a
branch of industry, which, in its various departments,
affords, from a given surface of land, employment to a
greater number and a greater variety of individuals than
any other branch of human occupation. The agricul-
turist, the mechanist, and chemist, are all equally occupied
in its cultivation and preparation.
It is surprising that some continental people are still
surpassing the British in several important branches of
agriculture, yet they have the same facilities and advan-
tages to excel in every branch of agriculture as they now
* Flax is of the greatest antiquity, coequal with the Bible : there
are several allusions to flax in that sacred volume, for we find that
"Rahab hid the spies with the stalks of flax, that were lai<l in
order on the roof of her house." " Solomon had horses brought out
of Egypt, and linen yarn ; the king's merchants received the linen
yarn at a price." Job complained that his " days were swifter than
the weaver's shuttle." Fine linen is also frequently mentioned as
one of the most precious ornaments of the Tempi*-
ITia Mil \ D M v\ \<.i | 129
do in almost every brmoeh of ma: * lo short,
what is agriculture but a manufacture, in which, through
agency of the toil, the raw material* of seed and
manure are worked up into produce?
Recent discoveries have shown that, with scientific aid,
there it scarce U anj Ball to the obtainable produce of
the soil ; and if these remarks apply to crops in general,
they do so to flax tenfold ; however, taking the growth of
flax, and its various after processes, in a certain point of
. it should be considered as consisting of two distinct
branches the one a branch of agriculture, and the other a
branch of manufactures.
1 he Growth or Flax Cleanses and Fertilizes
THK
There has been, and there still exists a prejudice
against the cultivation of flax, a prevalent idea being
entertained that it is an exhausting crop ; but since flax
(to secure a fine silky fibre) should be taken from the
land (pulled) in a very green state, it follows that flax can
only be considered as a green crop ; and as the prepara-
tion of the land for flax requires more ploughing, sub-
soiling, and cleansing than for any other crop, it conse-
quently becomes an in disputable fa*t that the growth of
flax, instead of exhausting, cleanses and fertilizes the
soil.
In Belgium a better wheat crop is obtained after flax
than after any other crop.
Besides, there is no crop that comes to maturity in a
short, r p tied than flax, it being sown in April and pulled
in the latter part of June, and thus, with the aid of a
KI.W
small quantity of liquid manure, n crop of turnips is
obtained the same season, a strong proof that the soil bflf
not been exhausted by the flax ; moreover, the land will
improve by bringing flax in the rotation of crops, as the
soil cannot be cultivated by too great a variety of jpo-
ductive and useful plants.
Different M i tuods of Preparing Flax for
Market.
In Belgium there are two methods of preparing the flax
for market. The one is practised in the West Flanders
and in the French Flanders, and is called the Court rai
System, or white steeping and bleaching. This system is
admirably adapted for this country, as it can be carried
on on a large scale much better than the Blue System.
It also requires more capital on the part of the manufac-
turer, as the flax is not ready for market before it is
two or three years old ; however, this system can only be
practised where there is the convenience of good running
water.
The Blue System is practised in different parts of
Belgium, there being no difficulty under this method of
finding steeping-places. The flax is manufactured and
brought to market the same year that it is grown.
The following statements are the average value of flax
in Belgium, in its green state, and also when manufac-
tured for market; but let it not be understood that I
pretend to say that the same money will be realized by
the young flax-grower on his first attempt — such an
assertion would be quite ridiculous and absurd, as it
would require a few years to bring the article to market
n> < i i.n\ \i : DM \NAGEMENT. 131
in iuch perfection as the Belgians, even should the flav-
grower follow my instruction* in the strictest manner ;
I. ut let Ilium be satisfied that he will, from the first attempt,
realise more money from an acre of flax than from any
other crop.
It will be readily understood that although my instrm
tions are simple, clear, and correct, yet there are peculi-
M in every process connected, especially with the
manufacture of flax, that can hardly he ascertained with-
out some experience ; and although, as I have observed,
my instructions are simply and clearly laid down, they
will, in many instances, vary, according to circumstances
from the actual practice required.
Value of an Acre of Flax in the Blue Districts ; in Us
preen state, when ready to pull.
£. s. d. £. $. <t.
One Enf Ibh sere, fair quality . IS 0 0
Seed 2 0 0
U 0 0
Expenses for Growing an Acre of Flux m the
lllue Districts.
C. i
Rent and taxes of one are I 13 •
I 0 0
1 5 t
I 10 0
Weeding 0 10 0
6 0 0
braving profit to the grower £8 0 0
It should be understood, that the seed is seldom sold
be manufacturer, hut only the flax, the seed being
much more valuable to the farmer than to the
factum*.
132
i i.w
Value of an Acre of Flax in the Wett Flanders and
Environs of Tournay ; in its green state, when ready
for pulling. *
C. f. d. £. i d.
One acre of good quality . . 16 0 0
Seed of 1 acre of good quality 1 15 0
17 15 0
Expenses for Growing an Acre of Flax in
the West Flanders and Environs of Tour-
nay.
Rent and taxes ....
Ploughing and sowing
Manure . ....
Seed
Weeding .....
£. 8.
1 15
1 10
2 0
1 15
0 15
d.
0
0
0
0
0
— 7 15 0
Leaving profit to the grower
£10 0 0
On the Blue System.
Value of an Acre of Flax when Manufactured ready for
Market, i.e. when Scutched.
£. 8. d. £. $. d.
7 cwt. of Flax, at 80*. per cwt. . . 28 0 0
2 cwt of Tow, at 10«. per cwt. . .10 0
Value carried forward . . 29 0 0
* When the flax-grower misses his market of selling his crop
green on the field, he seldom thinks of manufacturing it himself,
and holds it over till a more favourable time, when he then sells by
the weight, the value of whirh varies from 6/. to 9/. per ton. The
produce of an acre is from two to two and a half tons.
IT»CULTl\\ MAN \(.KMENT. L38
Expenses of Manufacturing an Acre of Flos ready fur
Mnrkrt.
Value brought forward
Mm o! i
IMIinf ,
Sti-ititii^ usitl mrtitik'
Turning .
Scutching TfWt •« ttfc
c.
•.
d.
£.
»
d.
H
o
o
0
0
0
u
0
0
16
0
0
10
0
0
1ft
0
0
6
0
4
4
0
19 9 0
£9110
On tub Courtrai System.— Summer Blkachino.
Value of an Acre of Flax when Manufactured ready for
Market (Scutched).
£. a. d. C •. d.
7 cwt. ofFlax.atoV. per cut. . 49 0 0
9cwt. of fine Tow, at 16a. per cwt. ! 10 0
43 10 0
Expenses of Manufacturing an Acre of Flax
ready for Market.
£. $. d.
Cott price of 1 acrv . 16 0 0
Pulling 0 1ft 0
Stacking ... 0 ft 0
ng. up and stacking 0 12 0
Taking off the teed . .080
Steeping, capping, kc. I 10 o
Turning caps. kc. .060
0 6 0
Bleaching and turning . . 16 0
Tjring-up and carting hceae . .10 0
Scutching 7 cwt. at We. 7 0 0
■ II u
Piu6t to the eaanefect ervr
£19 16 0
134
I LAX :
OH' Till C<iii;ti:\i fePVMOl Mu.mi I'.l.EACHINO.
Value of an Acre of FUi.i wkm Maiwjin tmr<l f,„- Mm lot
(Scut elf \
£. «. d. £. a d.
7 cwt of Flax at 8/. per cwt. . . 56 0 0
2c»t <>t liiirTow, at 20*. . . .200
58 o |
Expenses of Manufacturing an Acre of Flax
for Market.
i.
,1.
Cost price of 1 acre of Flax of the best
quality
i 20 0
0
Pulling , . .
. 0 15
0
Stacking .
0 5
0
Tying-up and stacking
0 15
0
Taking off the seed
. 0 8
0
Steeping, capping, &c.
1 10
0
Turning the caps
0 5
0
Tying-up and stacking
0 15
0
Bleaching, turning, &c.
4 0
0
Tying-up and carting
1 10
0
Scutching 7 cwt. at 25s.
8 15
0
•
— 38 18 0
Profit to the manufacturer
£ 1!) I 0
Land Rents in Belgh.m.
In the flax districts of Belgium the rents have been. <t
late years, considerably augmented ; and I believe, from
information I have received, that an acre of flax may, at
the present time, be grown as cheap in England as in
Belgium. The manufacture would cost a little more in
this country than in Belgium, but this would be compen-
sated in having a market at home ; instead of which, the
Belgian flax manufacturer must seek a market in thi>
country for his production.
1TB CULTIVATION AND M MENT. 135
Soil, KSQOISITB TO OBOW FLAX.
•hI flax can be grown on varum* soils, even on land
where tcarcely anything elae can be grown 11--^ ever,
the beat toil to produce a fine strong silky fibre is a
mod dry deep loam with a clay subsoil.
Phkpak • TIIK Son..
It is of great importance, in the culture of nax, that
the land be well drained, and repeatedly and carefully
cleansed from weeds, and thus rendered of the finest,
deepest, and cleanest nature, in order to facilitate the
penetration of the roots, which often go to a depth equal
to the length of tin- plant above ground. A light
ploughing immediately after harvest is required for all
sorts of soils but heavy stiff soils require to be laid in
ridges before winter, and to remain till a fortnight before
sowing, when it requires a very deep ploughing. But
light soils must hare their last ploughing in October, or
before winter sets in. If the land is not sufficiently rich,
liquid manure, or rape-cake powder, should be spread
over the land before sowing the seed.* The land should
* Such artificial manures as guano, bone-dust, Ac, cannot be
recommended. Recent experiments have proved that such mantes
* ill cause the plant to grow rapidly, but producing a very weak and
coarse fibre. It should be understood that tirrmjtk b the most
indbpensmble quality that the fibre most possess ; without a certain
strength, the other qualities are of very little value, and it will be
satisfactory and encouraging to the English fins-grower to know,
that in 1843 I manufactured, on my own account, several parcels of
Aaa grown m Norleik, some of which wefe heckJed and sown by the
Messrs. Marshall awd Co., of Leeds.
Those gentlemon, in a mmipiaiiac
that of awe
136 i i w
be harrowed and rolled, m that it may have all the
appearance of i garden.
Sowing the Ski bd
Etiga seed is particularly adapted to pvodutt
quality of fibre.* Dutcb and American seed art' apt to
bring forth a branch v coarse stem.
Sift the seed clear from all weed-seeds; it will sa\c a
great deal of trouble afterwards. The seed is sown in
the beginning of April.
Home-saved seed, the produce of Riga, will produce
finer and better fibre than the direct Riga seed ; but to
use it more than two BUCdeauTe \ ears will not be profitable
for sowing. Three bushels of Riga, or two and a half
bushels of home-?aved, is the necessary quantity of seed
required for an English acre.
It is better to sow too thick than too thin, as with thick
sowing the plant grows long and fine, instead of which,
thin sowing produces a coarse branchy >\vn\ with much
seed, but a very inferior quality of fibre. It is of the
* The botanical name of the flax produced from this Reed is
Linton usitatissimum, and it bears the following marks : —
Stem, slender, from 30 to 36 inches high ; lower leaves, short
and blunt.
Flowers, several, in a corymposc panniclo, large petals, sky
blue.
Filaments, united at the base.
Iff, blue thinner towards tin* top.
Seeds, elliptical, polished.
There is a great variety of different flax-plants, such as Linum
anyust (folium, Linum jterenne, \c. : all of which differ much in
stem, leaves, flowers, &c, from Linum usitatissimum, this being the
only sort which produces all the required qualities in the fibre.
MENT. IS7
greatest importance that the teed should be *
even, the thin spots producing coarse fibre and the thick
spoti fine fibre ; the separation of which causes diffi
and expense in the pulling, and, unless the coarse and
fine be separated, the quality will be very inf.
•vcr, by even sowing, all these difficulties can be
avoided. After sowing the teed, cover it aerou with a
seed-harrow, as this makes it spread more equally, and
avoids the small drills made by the teeth of the harrow.
Lastly, roll it with a light roller. The seed should be
covered about an
When the land i> properly dl • should be sown
flat, without any furrows.
Sowing clover and grass seed with flax is always inju-
rious to the flax- j »
\\ •
If care has been taken to cleanse the land and Un-
seed, few weeds will appear ; but if there be any.
■Ml in- carefully pulled, or weeded out. It is doit
Belgium by women and children, who. with coarse cloths
round their knees, creep along on all fours. Tin* injures
the plaut less than when walking or trampling upon the
tender young plant Care should be taken that this
process be completed before the plant has reached three
inches in height.
sjf, l'< LLU
In Belgium the seed is often totally or partly sacrificed
to secure a pure fine silky til> II <t, flax must
come to a certain maturity before it has obtained its
i
138 iia\
natural strength (the lUtUgUl of the fibre Wogl
essential quality). If pulled too early, the fibre will not
possess its natural llieftglh, and, if pulled too late, the
fibre will lose its >ilk\-like texture. When the stalk or
plant begin to appear yellow as far as about half its
height from the ground, it is ahout time to pull the tlax ;
hut no fixed sign or rule can he given with Miivty, to M
the pulling-time. For at the pulling-tim e the plant is
sometimes affected by a sort of spot, which is most perni-
cious ; it is called in Flemish, honing dauw ; in French,
miellure. There are black and reddish spots, the latter
giving a tint to the fibre that never will bleach out ; and
the whiter the yarn and linen from such flax are bleac
the more distinctly these spots will show themselves upon
the manufactured article: and, to give an idea of the
great loss that can be caused by having the flax affected
by these spots, it may be stated that one yard of cambric
or fine linen that might have been worth 5s. per yard,
would not be worth half that price if stained in this manner.
The spots first make their appearance on the top of
the plant; and immediately that is the case, no time
should be lost in pulling the flax, without regarding the
other signs by which the pulling-time is indicated. Let
there be a distinction made between the reddish and
black spots, as the latter are very little injurious ; they
will be removed by the screper or heckle.*
* The enormous prices obtained for flax in Belgium the last 20
years has induced many flax -growers to force the growth of it, by
sowing oftener than once in seven years ; and this in many instances
causes flax to be affected by dead stalks some days before it is fit for
pulling, and this also accelerates the pullinjr-tirw. when the djriflg is
considerable, because it causes an impurity of colour to the fibre
which cannot be removed or extracted without much difficulty and
expense.
1T8 CULT1VA1 ID MAN \ I MENT. 139
When any of tin- crop U lying ami suffering from wet,
it should bo pulled a few day* sooner and kept by iuelf.
Alto, if fine and coarse flax be found in the same field,
pull and steep it separately ; as the coarse flax, ami what
has been lying, will not endure the water so long as a fine
straight flax.
It is of great importance that flax should be pulled
evenly, like a brush at the root ends ; the difference there
the expense of doing this process neatly and care-
fully, to that of roughly, is but trifling in proportion to
tli> Umtit there is derived manufacturer and
spinas* in doing this process with every care and
attention.
The flax is pulled in handful* and laid flat on the
ground, the top ends being laid by the root ends, in order
to pr» entangling of the bolls: there it
even or eight hours.
SsTTiN'. i v T" Dry.
i hmo l»egin to set up do elj I father the handful*
in the f«»nn of the letter A. The handfuls are banded to
the men by little boys or girl* ; as the men must go on
setting up on each side in the manner described, without
leaving till they have set up a length of about eight feet
This process is called in Flemish Has hat/en.
x Stack
The flax, after having stood in that position fcr seven
ight days, is sufficient 1\ dry to Ik- tied up in bundles
of about 20 inches in circumference, yet the seed will not
be sufficiently drv to be stacked or brought into the barn.
I Id I -I..W
But the reason for tying it up before it ii tit to go in a
large stack or barn, is to preserve lie bligfal colour. The
bundles are, therefore, laid flat upon wood in single r
about b* feet high and 10 feet long. The top is covered
with Straw. This is a process called in Flemish Ivas
mitten After the flax has remained a fortnight longer in
the laid in that position, the seed and III are then in a
good state to he taken into a harn Off large stack.
Taking off the Seed.
This process is often performed in the winter months :
it is done with flat beetles, called in Flemish boot hamers.
The sheaves are untied and spread upon the floor in a
double row ; the top ends coming close together, in order
that the ends may always remain in their even condition ;
the men then strike the bolls with a beetle till they are
broken : the sheaves are then turned and the same opera-
tion repeated.
The flax is then well shaken, a few stalks at once, to
cleanse it from its leaves and dust, and is then again tied
up as before, in bundles.
Steeping.
On th< Courtrai System.
This process requires the greatest attention and <
To obtain a white bright colour, flax must be steeped in
running water ; river water is the best. On this system
flax is either steeped in September the year it is grown,
or in June the year after. The commonest qualits is
steeped the same season, and the best quality is kept over
MKNT. | | |
fur tli*' iirxt year. M III preparing
tin* tia\ for tin* | mm* u liar process. The sheaves are untied;
the flax U shaken over, a few stalk* at a time, in on:
retuo\<- all duet, leave*, or weeds that remain or have
accumulat. i in it since the tin m the teed was taken oft
It this be neglected it will injure the bright colour. Two
•heaven are then tied together with three ties ; one sheaf
being tied with the top end t<» the root end of the other,
that the bundle* may come even for stowage in the crates,
The bandies are set erect in the crates, and as close as
possible, in order that the porreBt of the water may not
wash awn\ crate when filled is flooded in
the i i than covered with boards, and
sunk with stones two or three inches below the surface.
In two or three da rraentatiou.and more stone
must l>e laid upon it, to keep it below the surface After
a few more days the flax will daily sink iu proportion as
u'oing on steeping, and, consequently, stone must be
taken off in proportion ; and the flax should always be
two or lies under water. The crates or
ft ajnes m I lgium are about 10 feet long, »
. and three feet high, and they are made from wooden
; consequently this method of steeping can only be
practised where the water has about li depth.
»UT OF THE WaTKE.
Thk is the most p« -* connected with the
«»n or manufaeture of flax for the market. If
I tew hours too long iu the wuter, the strength, the
most essential quality of the fore, will be lost ; if taken
it diminishes the quality of the fibre, and a
great diffieu itching. Flax can
142 FLAX
be sufficiently steeped in six day?, hut sometinu fl it will
require twenty days; it entirely depends on the tempe-
rature of the air, and the quality of the Dai : for instance,
tl.i\ that ii very coarse, or has been lying, will not endure
the water so long as a fine, straight, good quality of flax.
Also, when flax has been pulled greener than is usually
done, through circumstances described in the "pulling
instructions," it will not bear the water so long as flax
that has arrived at its proper maturity.
When the stones are nearly all removed, and the flax
keeps a level with the water, it is a sign that it is almost
steeped enough ; and the best test to discover whether it
is sufficiently steeped is the following : —
Break a stalk of average thickness about four inches
from the root end : pull the fibre gently towards the top
end, and if it pulls off freely for a length of 10 inches
without the tibre adhering, or at least very little, to the
wooden part, it is a sign that it is sufficiently steeped.
Make this trial every two hours ; for sometimes the
change is rapid. There are other signs by which persons
of long experience are guided in this delicate point ; but
they are so numerous and complicated, that even the
clearest explanation rif tbein would only tend to puzzle
the grower or manufacturer, and perhaps lead him astray.
When sufficiently steeped it is brought upon the bank one
bundle at a time, and set up as erect as possible, the
same as it stood in- the crate. The fibre is exceedingly
tender when in a wet state ; it must therefore be handled
with great care, as great damage may be done by
handling it roughly.
After being thus taken out of the water, it remains
there for six or eight hours.
LTIVAT1 ih.M
Tm handles arc now removed to the next meadow or
pasture | the Iti bring still in a wet state, everything
must be done with great ca
The bundles arc laid out in the meadow, and separated
t hand tuls, and, for regularity, laid in rows.
•How and bit it up in caps, called M KapeU
two days the caps arc turned inside-out, and after
two more days it is lit (if the weather he fine) to be tied
up again, and stacked till the following March, when it is
bleached. II when the quality is not very supc-
hl cached immediately after hay-season is 01
Short, thick, clean pasture-grounds are required for
ration. The flax is spread in straight lines,
tance of about four incites betweeu each line.
I flax is spread ahout a quarter of an inch thick;
bearing in mind that everything must be done with the
greatest care, to l.»\ r ami to keep the root ends
as even as a brush. In dry weather it remains on the
grass from twelve to fourteen days. In wet and warm
weather it remains sometimes for only four or five days.
in dry weather it is turned even three days, in wet
weather every day. The object of bleaching is to obtain
a bright white yellow colour ; and in very warm weather,
a few hours too long on the grass may entirely spoil its
ur. The moment, therefore, a few blue spots make
their appearance on the fibre, it is quite time to lift it
the grass, and set it up in caps to dry. the same as
when it came from the steep. But in very dry weather it
144 FLAX
can be token from the grass and tied up at once, without
setting it uj) in caps ; in this case, however, it should be
turned on the morning of the day in which it is to be
lifted : hut. if not perfectly dry, let it he set up in eaps
till a very fine day comes, to tie it up in a very dry con-
dition. It must be understood, that once the flax ifl lifted
from the ground, the colour will not he affected hy the
wet weather, if even it had to stand for several dayi
before it could be tied.
It is tied very evenly and neatly into bundles, with
two ties, and is carried to the establishment, it being
ready for scutching. The flax intended for summer
bleaching should be steeped a little more than the portion
intended for March bleaching ; because, in summer, it
cannot remain long enough on the grass to soften without
spoiling the colour ; whilst, in March, it can remain on
the grass sometimes seven or eight weeks without in-
juring the colour at all ; and, during that time, flax
steeped too little will become properly soft for scutching.
March Bleach i\<;.
It is the best quality of flax which is kept to go
through this process; it is spread on the grass two years
after it has been grown. One year after it has been
steeped it is spread very regularly, and is turned every
four or five days. It remains on the grass from four to
h.\ weeks, and lifted when it has attained a blight, whitish,
yellow colour ; and as soon as any small blue spots are
seen upon the fibre, no time should be lost in lifting it
from the ground, and setting it in caps till it i> perfectly
dry, to be tied up in bundles and carried to the establish-
MANAGEMENT. 145
inent Another proem is sometimes necessary to sr<
it an even bright colour, ami it is — to spread it over again
after it baa been eighteen or twenty days on the great.
By tub U understood, to shake it over without lifting it
from the grass, but making the same movements as when
| The object in so doing is to lift it up in
order that it may be more regularly exposed to the
atmosphere.
KMING.
This process is performed with a slightly cur\
Dg, and an inch and a half in diau.
The rod is passed under th-- (lax towards the *
and then gently turned over, thus going along the whole
the lines. This process should be [H-rformed about
r that th.- night-dew may press it
down a little, and thus it will not be so liable to be taken
up by th. wind and thrown into an irregular concl
h is often the case. Turning it after rain, I
partially dry, is a good plan, but not immediately after
rain, when it is thoroughly
Rank {Slicked Flax).
In the environs of Tournay. Belgium, there is a sort of
flax grown of a most superior and exquisite quality. In
favourable seasons it is sold (in the green state, before
pulling) at from 50£ to 60/. per acre. It is from this
quality of flax that is made the very superior Brussels
lace. To obtain such a quality of (lax, no trouble nor
-use is spared ; although the expense ii nothing, when
pared with it* great increase of value.
l |6 n. A\
The land for this purpose is prepared like a garden
plot, having been fertilized and enriched fur
seasons previously. The seed used for this purpose is
the best Riga. Five bushels are sown to an English
acre. After the seed is sown it is then " K.-ime"
(sticked) ; that is to say, the field is overspread with
branches of wood.
This process is done in the following manner : —
A series of four or more short props, having two sprays
or prongs, are driven into the ground, forming square! :
upon these small props, poles are laid at a height of
about eight inches from the ground ; and again, on these
poles, thus disposed, branches of small-wood are placed ;*
the object of which extraordinary process is to keep the
flax from falling upon the ground ; which must inevitably
be the case without this precaution, in consequence of the
great pliancy and delicacy of the plant, which often grows
to a great height.
The flax is pulled as soon as the seed begins to form
it-elf, and therefore the seed is entirely sacrificed. The
handfuls, when pulled, are set in circles about five feet in
circumference. Poles are previously driven into the
ground, forming centres, around which the handfuls are
* I believe that there would be great economy and savin*.' of
trouble by having thin ro|>es spread across the field instead of the
wooden branches.
In April last I was invited by the Earl Talbot to look over
several fields then in preparation to sow flax near Ingestric Hill,
and on a very small garden plot we tried an experiment in covering
r with coarse nets; but single ropes crossed over the field,
forming as it were a sort of net, would be better, as it would bs
easier to place and remove these ropes than heavy large nets.
Certain it is, that flax could be extensively grown on this peculiar
method if it were not from the great inconvenience that Ei expert*
enced in procuring large quantities of these small branches of *r00-4i
II AND MAN \ i 147
; u|x>n tin* top of the poles are placed rapt of
•traw, which, spreading downwards, cover the whole of
each circle from expo** atmosphere, thus forming,
as it were, a series of small hut* In fire or six dart it is
in small bundles Although the flax has been pulled
very green, yet it has always a little half- formed seed
which must be taken off— not fur it* vain.-, hut because
the (lax mutt be cleansed from all its chaff, dust, and
leaves ; and in order to remove with greater facility
every particle of dust, Ac., it is exposed on fine days to
r in caps or laid on the ground, and rubbed
a few stalks at a time, tod thru 1. 1. -ached on the grass
or four days immediately before steeping. It is
(1 when the water is at least 50 degrees of heat.
When taken from the water it is set up in caps to dry,
and, when dry, it is again spread on the grass for three or
■lays, after which it is ticl up in bundles and sent to
the establtsliui nt t«. he scutched and screped.
The latter process is one of the greatest nicety and
peculiarity : it is first half scutched, and then screped wtib
an iron screper, and finally brushed.
is flax is worth from 300/. to 350/. per ton. There
is only a small quantity grown and manufactured by this
iar method ; and there is often a great scar
I estimated tliat, when one ton of this flax is manufac-
tun .1 into superior Brussels iace, it produces 60,000/.
Gentlemen fanners would find it a matter of great
amusement to try experiments in growing small quantities
of this beautiful plant, and especially so when the above
process is adopted. Hie experiment on a small scale
woultl ;iU be the means of practically acquainting those
who feel inclined to become extensive growers with its
nature and manifold advantages.
148 ii.w
Bu?e Sy8tbm»
Pulling in C Districts.
The Flax ill tin' Blue Districts is not generally pulled
so early as in the We§( Flanden and Preach Flanders*
a/here it is intended to come under the Courtrai system.
Not so mucb attention if paid to obtain that purity of
colour in the blue tlax as is for the white. Yet, although
the impurity of colour does not show itself so much on
hlue tlax as on the white, it will he visible when the
manufacture 1 articles are bleached, should the fibre bafe
been affected by those spots mentioned in the directkmi
for pulling on the Courtrai system.
The flax under this system is pulled when the hulls
begin to change from green to a pale-brown colour, and
the -talk has become yellow for about half its height from
the ground, and when the plant begins to lose its leaves
from about the third part of its height from the ground.
In fine bright weather the flax will not be so soon affected
any impure colour as in foggy or wet weather.
Coarse and lying flax should also be kept separately,
for the same reasons stated under the directions for the
Courtrai system, bearing in mind that the greatest care
and attention are paid to keep the ends as even as a
brush in pulling.
Rippling,
l* Which should be carried <»n at the Same time, and in
the same field, with the pulling.
" If the only advantage to be derived from the rippling
was the comparative ease with which rippled flax ie
handled, the practice ought always to be adopted.
II I ( I 1.1 !\ A I li.N AN 149
'• Hut besides this, the seed is a valuable part of the
crop, being worth, if aoltl to the oil mill, 'M. per acre, and
if for feeding stock of all kind, at leant 37. per acre.
The apparatus is very simple : the ripple consists of
a row of iron teeth screwed into a block of wood.
liiis iiiiplfiut : | taken to the field where tin-
flax is being pulled, and screwed down to the centre of a
h plank resting on two stools. The ripplers may
either stand or sit aside at opposite ends, and be at such
a distance from the comb as to j>cnuit of tin ir striking it
properly and alternately. A winnowing cloth or sheet
must be placed under them to receive the bolls as they
are riffled off, and th re ready to receive the flax
just pulled. The handful* being placed diagonally and
bound up in a sheaf, the sheaf is laid down at the right
hand of the rippler and untied. He takes a handful with
one hand ah niches from the root, and a little
nearer from the top with the other.
II then spreads the lop of the handful like a ran,
draws the half of it through the comh, and the other half
past the side ; and by a half turn of the wrist, the same
operation ti n rite the rest of tin hunch
I hu> the flax can be rippled without being paused
more than once through the comh.
" Be now lays the handful down at his 1* each
handful crossing the other, when the >heaf should be
folly tied up and i. The object of crossing
the handful so carefully after rippling, absjj lying up for
the .- that when taken to be spread out on the
grass, they may part freely from each other, and not inter-
lock and be put out of their regular order, as otherwise
would be the case.
If the weather be dr\. the bolls should be kept in the
150 n.w
field, spread on winnow cloths, or other contrivances for
drying; ami if turned from time to time, they will win.
Passing the bolls first through a coarse riddle, and B
wards through fanners, to remove straw and leaves, will
facilitate the (Irving. If the weather is damp, they should
be taken in-doors and spread out thinly and evenly on a
barn floor, or in a loft ; lea\ing windows and doors open
to allow a thorough current of air, and turned twice a
day. When nearly dry tluv may he taken to a warm
kiln (taking care not to raise it above summer heat) and
carefully turned until no moisture remains. By the
above plan of slow dning, the seed has time to imhihe
all the juices that remain in the husk, and become per-
fectly ripe. If it be taken at once from the field, and
dried hurriedly on the kiln, the juice will he hurned up,
and the seed will become shrivelled and parched, little
nutritious matter remaining. In fine seasons the hoi Is
should be always dried in the open air, the seed thra.-hed
out, and the heaviest and plumpest used for sowing or
cni.-hing.
u The light seeds and chaff form a wholesome and
nutritious feeding for cattl ■-.
" Flax ought not to be allowed to stand in the field.
It should be rippled as soon as possible and carried to the
water at one
Blub Steepin*..
"The process of blue steeping *1m requires great cm-
and attention. River water is the best. If spring \
is to be used, let the pond be filled some weeks previous,
that the sun and air may soften the water. That
taining iron, or other mineral substances, should neve 1><-
used. The flax must be placed in the pod in one layer,
MKNT. 151
somewliat sloped, and in regular rows, with the root and
uppermost. Cover with stone or mow tod.'*
Ibe tot t<> ascertain if the flax be sufficiently steeped
is the tame as resorted to on the Courtrai system.
Under this system, however, there are various other signs
and teats by which experienced fabricators are guided,
but ili. -y arc too numerous and complicated. The best,
the simplest, the safest criterion, is the one before stated.
Make this trial every two hours after fermentation sub-
sides, for sometimes the change I lave the flax
carefully handed upon the banks by men standing in the
water, always recollecting that the fibre is exceedingly
r when m ■ "* * state, and that great damage may
be done to it by rough handling.
Sl'IU.Al)I\(..
Select also, if possiM . short, thick pasture -land
for this operation. Spread the flax nly and
equally about half an inch thick on the ground. W
it has been spread two or three days on the grass, it is
very eas\ it has been steeped too much, suffi-
eieutly, OT not enough
If steeped rather too mueh. five or six days on the grass
are j- If steeped properly, about ten days on the
grass is the required time. However, much depends on
the weather. If not sufficiently stee; ityortwi
five days will generally obviate this* ; and should this long
period on the grass not have brought it to its proper
softness, it must be steeped again, remaining in the water
as long as before, unless the water possesses a gr-
degree of heat or eold The same method of testing the
152 \
steeping must again be applied, md liter being taken out
of the water a leooad time, must undergo the same
process of spreading, &c., and be left again on the grass
from six to ten days.
In many cases flax improve- eooftiderably in softness
and colour by a shower <>r two of rain, and should, in
many instances, be left on the grass till it has been washed
in that manner.
Turning.
This process is done with a rod about eight feet in
length, and one inch and a half in diameter. The 8a
to be turned every two or three days in wet weather (but
never turned immediately after rain). In fine weather
every four or five days is sufficient.
Lifting.
" A good test as to its being ready to lift is to nib a
few stalks from the top to the bottom, and when it breaks
easily and separates from the fibre, leaving it sound, it
has been long enough on the grass. But the most certain
way is, to dry a handful, and to scutch it. In lifting,
keep the lengths straight, and the ends even, otherwise
great loss will occur in the scutching. Let it be turned
the day that it is to be lifted, as it cannot be too dry
before it is tied up in bundles and taken to the establish-
ment to be scutched."
I )i;\v Retting.
There is another way of preparing flax for scutching
without steeping. After the seed is taken off, the I
1T8 CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT. |
taken to a grass-field, and spread about half an inch
thick, in December, where it remains from til to eight
weeks, according to the weather ; the wet decomposing
the wooden particles sooner than dry weather. During
period it i* turned sereral times. This process is
particularly recommended for a coarse quality of flax, the
expense being much less than steeping in wa
"
In Belgium the flax is all scutched by hand, it being
far superior to that scutched by mills.
However, through the premium granted by the Irish
Belfast Flax Society, many improvements have been intro-
duced in the machinery of scutching-mills. The beet
machinery that was invented during my engagement with
the Hoyal Flax Society was that of Mr. Montgomery,
Grove Mill, Belfast; and that of Mr Hutchinson, of
Market-hill, which can be very much recommended.
Discoveries and Inventions in Steeping.
Sbm tin* la>t two years I have devoteil my leisnre time
to making new experiments and discoveries in steeping
and bleaching flax by a chemical process, and I have thus
far succeeded that I have steeped and bleached flax in
the short time of two days, an operation which otherwise
lasts from twenty to forty days; yet the advantages of
this invention would not seem to compensate for the extra
expenses connected with this new process ; besides, it is a
question whether it would be practicable on a large scale,
and I do not wish, therefore, to recommend or to give any
1M FLAX:
information upon a subject whit -h is likely not to answer
the purpose of the fla\-Lr..ucrs.
The best practical and methodical invention for steep-
ing flax that I ever saw is the establishment, of the
rs. Marshall, of Leeds, lately erected at Patrington,
near Hull.
On this method the flax undergoes almost all the same
preparations for steeping as at Courtrai, hut, when stowed
in the boxes, the flax is then overflown with water heated
by boilers, which water is constantly passing through the
boxes, like the stream of a river.
Having been requested by Mr. Arthur Marshall to
examine some flax steeped on this new method, I shall
only say, that the flax, although steeped in water of 70
degrees of heat (if I recollect right), yet possessed all its
natural strength ; and its colour was pretty fair.
Una establishment is decidedly admirable for its sys-
tematical arrangements and extensiveness, and the greatest
advantages of it are, that flax can be steeped as well in
winter as in summer.
The " Times," in its agricultural report of January
the 2nd, gives the following account of what is going on
at Patrington with regard to flax : —
" At the entrance to the farm Mr. Arthur Marshall, of
Leeds, has erected extensive works for the retting and
scotching of flax. In these he at present manufactures
the crop of 300 acres, but the works arc sufficient for "><><>.
The farmers of Holderness, however, do not seem to go
very readily into flax culture, and Mr. Marshall is tl
fore obliged to hire the land, sow the seed, provide people
to weed and pull the crop, and the farmer then carts it
to the works, where it is stacked till required. For the
use of the land Mr. Marshall pays 8/. an acre, the fame r
ITBCULT1VA MANAGEMENT | V'>
no risk of failure of crop, and no outlay for
seed or labour. The average yield of dressed flax per
acre is five hundredweight, at present worth 70#. a
hundredweight, besides two quarters of seed, worth 50s.
a qua i in- •mploytnent given in these works, and in
the extensive improvements at the farm, has raised the
rate of wages ft* mm, women, and children, in the parish
of Patrington, from 12 to 15 per cent, above that of the
surrounding <1
Factorship or Flax.
During my engagement with the Irish Flax Society I
was requested by the President, the Marquis of Down-
shire, to give my opinion on the Irish soil as to its capa-
ea for the growth of flax : and, moreover, what other
means and exertions (besides and above those made use of
by the Society) there could be adopted or introduced to
promote the improvement and extension of the growth of
flax in Ireland.
In my short Treatise, which was appended to the First
Annual Report of the Society, I expressed my opinion that
I was convinced that it was the system of " Flax Factor-
ship " that was alone needed to consummate the views of
the Society ; and which would he much more applicable
to, and practicable in, England.
In fact, it is my firm opinion that, unless the farmer can
sell his flax in a green state to factors or merchants, it
never will be extensively grown in England, the farmer
being too independent to give bis attention to so many
after //racessrj which are required to prepare it for
avricet
But there exists no doubt that the farmers would at
M 2
grow large quantities if they could he assured of
finding a market in the green state. For no other crop
could be grown with less trouble, or be brought to market
in less time ; the seed being sown in April, and the flax
O nning to market in the latter part of June. I am,
therefore, of opinion that nothing else is wanting to induce
the agriculturist to grow flax extensively, but a vunl't
for it in its green state. And to show the importance the
Royal Flax Society attaches to this subject, i.e. to the in-
troduction and establishment of flax factorship in Ireland,
I will give an extract from the Committee's Second
Annual Report: —
" In reference to measures alluded to in the foregoing
paragraph, one appears to your committee of such para-
mount importance to the ultimate success of the Society's
views, that they beg leave to lay the details of it before
the meeting, to urge its adoption most strenuously, and to
advise the public to embrace such opportunities of aiding
the introduction of it as may be afforded by the several
parties who refer to it, or who bring it forward for their
support This measure is to establish a new branch of
business in the flax trade, such as exists in Belgium,
termed "Factorship" of flax. It is carried on by joint-
stock companies, or individuals possessing capital. wii<>
either rent land laboured by the farmer, and ready for
the seed, or, when the plant is in flower, purchase the
flax-crop on the foot, and at once relieve the fanner of all
further responsibilities respecting it, giving him his cash
in hand, or approved bills at three months ; receiving no
further aid from the farmer than such accommodation as
may be required.
"The farmer thus has but to grow the crop to the
utmost perfection that good culture, the peculiarities of
ITS CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT. 157
hi* soil, teed, and season* will admit of. The flax (actor's
■notion h thru . \. Itisively devoted tu iu after manage-
ment ; and I lie gang* of labourers employed by him soon
become expert under bis skilful tupcilutapdeooe in their
.liar braneb of business, from the right system of
pulling to that of the last handliug required, which never
can be performed or generally understood by the farmer
himself ; as we learn by the fact that, even in Ikdgium
and Holland, those imlm<luals who outstand their market,
and who attempt tin-re to treat the crops on their own
account, as frequently fail as otherwise.
Hie introduction of such a system would thus i
manently establish among us the fullest amount of im-
inent that our soil and climate are capable of; and
your committee hare sanguine hopes that the period is not
far distant when this branch of business will be taken up
with spirit. Useful suggestions on this subject were given
by Mr. Deman, who was himself a factor of long experi-
ence, in the Treatise last year submitted by him to the
public ( which was appended to the Society's First Annual
Report), and have been exemplified most satisfactorily
and successfully by him, this season, in the treatment of a
small quantity of flax, which he had purchased on the
on his own account, iu the neighbourhood of Moy.
This flax turns out equal to the first quality of Courtrai
flax imported, as proved by the price actually obtained
for it, being at the rate of 18*. per stone, or 140L per ton.
"Tliis flax factorship {via* verwerker) is called in
h 'fabricant de tin.' It is a very remunerative
business ; almost invariably realising, when the bush
k properly conducted, 25 per eat
158 MAX:
Consumption and Cultivation of Flax in the
United Kingdom.
The consumption of flax fibre in the United Kingdom
is at present about 150,000 tons per annum ; of this not
more than one fourth is grown at home ; thus, about
112,500 tons are imported from different foreign count
which, taken at 60/. per ton, amounts to 6,750,000/. —
Writers on flax all agree that a sum of not less than
12,000,000/. is sent annually out of this country for flax
fibre, hemp fibre, linseed, and oil -cake. Mr. James
H. Dickson, in one of his letters to the editor of " Ed-
dowes* Journal," published in the year 1846, writes as
follows : —
" It appears from the ' Irish Farmer's Journal' that the
foreigner has been drawing annually from us between ten
and twelve millions sterling for flax, oil-cake, and oil-
seed ; and it appears by the parliamentary returns up to
the 5th of January, 1844, that this sum drawn by our
continental friends is very little short of the whole value
of manufactured cotton goods exported by us to all parts
of the globe, 16,249,268/. ; by the same returns, I
observe that the whole amount of our exports in linen and
flax and tow yarns, was 3,603,079/. ; so that it follows we
consume the agricultural produce from Belgium, &c, to
the amount of seven to nine millions sterling, and this
sum may and ought to be kept in this country, if landlords
and tenants will but study their own interests. I would
just say to the calculating farmer, consider the population
of Great Britain, 18,800,000; deduct the inhabitants of
cities, towns, and villages, who are merchants, manufac-
turers, and traders ; then, on seeing what number you may
allow to be farmers, ask yourselves how much of this
ITS CULTlVA'l MUTT. 159
1 2, 000,000/. your own share may be,— ami do not forget
the example yon hare before you in the North of
Irela re flax-spinners ^Icclare that some of them,
who hare paid 40,000/. per annum to the Belgians,
French, and Russian*, for flax, now distribute those large
sums annually amongst the farmers in their immediate
districts,"
If, however, tin' cultivation of flax can increase at the
rate it has done Iff the last two years in the United
Kingdom, and especially in Ireland, the happy and de-
sired wish to keep such large sums at home will soon be
accomplished ; and the following extract from the last
Annual Report of the Royal Irish Flax Society will prove
that the epoch is not int when this country will
grow sufficient flax for all the supply of linen and cotton
manufactures in the United K iiilt- !• >»u .
' is again satisfactory t«» note the continued
of the flax cultivation in Ireland. From the valuable
and accurate returns of Irish agricultural produce, com-
piled by ( JnwriKm'nt, your ttotj learn that, in 1848,
there were 53,863 acres under flax crop ; in 1849, 60,014 ;
and, in l*.r>0, 1)1,040 I. returns for 1 .ugh
not as yet published, have, through the kindness bf the
Lord- 1 nit, been specially made out for the Society,
bj the Census Commissioners, and show the very great
breadth of 9 acres ; so that the extent of the crop
is, this year, nearly two and three-quarter times what it
was three years ago, and probably mm h the greatest ever
sown in Ireland.
• 1 he average yield of fibre per statute acre, throughout
I id, has been, on the n f the returns, a frac-
tion under five cwts. in each of the last three years.
This year the produce is admitted to be
ICO I I. AX:
an average ; and, taking it at five and a quarter cwtl., the
entire quantity <>f fibre on the Irish flax crop of 1851,
138,611 acres, would be 36,388 tons, which, at IV. per
ton, Mould give an amount of 1,637,460/. To this may
be added the value of the seed that has bivn sawd, cither
in the straw dried for the retteries, or by rippling. ptO-
bahlj tin* produce of 20,0(>o aeree, which, at oroahifig
value, would be 3/. per acre, or 60,000/., thus giving a
gross total of about 1,700,000/. sterling as the amount
realized for the Irish flax crop of this year. The quality
of the fibre is much superior to that of the preceding crop,
and the growers have been generally well remunerated
where proper attention has been paid. It is interesting to
observe that, owing to the large quantity and good quality
of the home-grown crop, the imports from Russia this
year are greatly less than for many previous years ; and
the English and Scotch spinners have been purchasing
extensively in our markets."
New Modes of Steeping.
" The great interest at present excited by the culture
and preparation of flax, not only in this country, but in
most of the continental states, has caused persons of ex-
perience and intelligence to direct their attention to im-
provements of various kinds, more especially in the sepa-
ration of the fibre.* Sir G. R. Farmer, Bart., of Bideford,
* There is indeed a great field open for improvement in tlic
separation of the flax fibre and straw, and if some invention could
be discovered to effect this peculiar process properly, by chemical
aid, a great obstacle to the extension of flax culture would bt over-
come. We find that by having recourse to chemical BMUM the
strength of the fibre is more or less injured, and this deterio
much the quality of the best flax fibre, and consequently lessens
the value considerably.
IT8 CULTIN M> MANAGEMENT. 161
Devonshire, has, for tome time past, been in communiea-
liou with your committee relative to a discovery by which
he proposes to ret flax in Im hours. At yet, enough ia
not kno* - proceaa to warrant an expiration of
opinion on iu merit*, but the aubject it receiving all
■MSJSJSJJ attention. Mr. DoFSf| of aWpeattfcj ajajr
Selby, baa alto tubmitted a very curiout plan of retting in
metal cylinders, by exhaustion of the atmospheric air and
aubaequent taturation of the straw with not water. This
is also under consideration, and your committee hope soon
to be in a position to report upon it The advantages
which Schenck's system has been found to possess have
•r a moment induced your committee to neglect any
new inwntinii lik.lv to be of service; on the contrary,
they have always courted such suggestions, and have
given every encouragement and facility to inventors to
explain their views. It is most satisfactory to find that so
much attention is now being directed to this subject, and
they feel strongly, that, notwithstanding all the improve-
ments that have been carried out, much remains to be
done before the preparation of flax shall have reached
perfection. Most happy and important results may natu-
rally be anticipated for the linen manufacture from the
amount of skill and ingenuity which are now being
brought to bear upon the treatment of the raw material/'
Uamsnu) EImul
" It has been stated that some of the spinners of yarns
adapted to the coarser fabrics, at Dundee and elsewhere,
could employ the fibre of flax separated by mechanical
meant, without steeping. Although it is tfidtsn that a
much greater value can be given t.» the fibre by the ordi-
162 FLAX:
nary process of steeping, it may be well that the grow* r
5>hnuld haw the option of preparing it in this way, either
where the fibre is naturally of an interior quality, or
where, as is in some instances the case this year, no
scutching machinery exists in the neighbourhood for pre-
paring the steeped flax, and no rettery for the purchase of
the straw. The cost of a machine to separate the fibre
from the straw without steeping the flax is not more than
10/., and such a machine could he profitably employed in
the South and West of Ireland, where largo quantities of
flax hare been grown last season, expecting to find a ready
market for their produce through Chevalier Claussen's
invention."
Chevalier Claussen's Invention of Cottonizing
i'l.AX.
After several careful researches on the subject of cot-
tonizing flax, I have now become in some measure, and
to some extent, an advocate instead of an opponent to il ft
cotton, inasmuch as it appears that inferior, as well as
superior qualities of flax, can equally be converted into an
article of the same value and quality (called flax-cotton).
If this be a fact, and that flax-cotton can be spun upon
the ordinary cotton machinery, the invention of Chevalier
Claussen is indeed of the greatest value, merit, and im-
portance ; and with such an invention flax-growers need
not be under any apprehension of not finding a market for
their produce ; because the quantity that could be con-
sumed of flax-cotton, as a substitute for foreign cotton, is
immense. But notwithstanding what I here advance in
favour of flax-cotton, I inu.-t urge and fSTOOgty recom-
mend all who are disposed to cultivate flax to adopt M
ITS CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT. 163
Dear as possible the methods prescribed in this little work,
in order that it may be suitable for the linen manufacture •
—remembering, that even in following these instructions
one-third of all the flax grown in the United Kingdom
Mill always fall in the class of inferior qualities, and thus
be fit for cotton i zing.*
I have no hesitation in stating that, if the Chevalier's
new invention possesses ail the expected advantages,
2,000,000 acres of flax will not suffice in future to supply
the linen and cotton manufacturers of the United King-
dom. In making a partition and classification for the
different manufactures, I allot and select 300,000 acres of
superior quality, possessing all the delicacy necessary to
manufacture such precious articles as cambric, dsmatam
fine linen, Ac. :f besides, I select 300,000 acres for the
manufacture of sewing-thread, shoemaker's thread, sail-
cloth, canvas, and all sorts of strong and useful articles.}
The 2,000,000 acres are now reduced to 1,400,000 acres,
which would find a ready mark, t in tkt cotton-spinners, as
it appears from M. Claussen's statement that the cotton
• ThU remark mutt not lead the flax-grower to any disappoint-
ment, it being almost the aame case in Belgium, where every peculiar
attention it paid to secure a good crop. But what I call inferior
quality it worth from 45/. to SO/, par ton ; and this crop paya gene-
rally also pretty will.
t The quality of Has used for the manufacture of this article is
generally worth from 150/. to 180/. per ton. It should be observed
that no eiSrtiona are apared by the Belgium flax- grower to obtain
that superior quality of flax, and jet be considers it luck/ » ben be
obtains one acre in four of Una superior quality, which he generally
sells before pulling at from 20/. to 25/. per acre (tor the si raw).
The aeed is reserved by the grower, but is sometimes partly saciuWnd
for the sake of the fibre, and in many instnncea ia not worth mora
than li. per acre, in conaequeoce of tan craw being pulled rather
green to secure a silky fibre.
X Inequality of nax suitable for the manufacture of Utow srUctos
ia worth about GO/, par ton.
164 I I. AX:
iii;mufarturci> of th<* United Kingdom would consume
J >00 tons of flax-rut ton annually in Mihstitution of
foreign cotton.* I^ancashire and Yorkshire alone would
require 200,000 tons.
The great advantage which the new invention of the
Chevalier possesses is, that however inferior the quality of
flax may bo, it can be converted into an article thai
he spun instead of foreign cotton.
In a treatise on Irish soil and eliniate, in reformer fed
flax, written for the committee, during my engagement
with the Irish Royal Flax Society, I stated that, during
fifteen years that I had extensively grown flax in Belgium,
through excessive droughts, the crop, in four different
seasons, did not reach more than from 10 to 12 inches in
length ; consequently the crop was totally lost, it being so
inferior that it was quite unsuitable for the Belgian manu-
facture, t But since the invention of the Chevalier exists,
such a crop as just alluded to could now be made asefbJ
and profitable; there is, therefore, no exaggeration in
saying that the severeness of seasons, which often pr
so disastrous to this delicate plant, is now checked by this
invention; — and it may be once more repeated, that the
* I do not see that the cottonizer could pay more than 35/. par
ton for flax fibre, but oven then I think that flax would still pay
better than wheat. However, the agricultural public are anxious
to know what price the cottonizers will afford to give for flax straw,
or fibre ; and it is to be hoped that the most sanguine advocates of
cot ton izing flax will soon show themselves in the market. Thousands
of acres have been grown last season in the south and west of
Ireland, in consequence of statements put forward in support of the
scheme ; and many farmers are now anxious to see those statements
realized in finding a good market for their flax.
f I strongly recommend to those who intend growing flax for tin-
sole purjwse of flax-cotton to grow it on very poor soil, when-
scarcely nothing else can be grown; such soils could be very profit-
ably cultivated since the present invention exists.
IT8 CULTIVA'I i l> MANAGEMENT. 165
greatest advantage of Chevalier Clsnsscn's discovery con-
sists in baring found a market for an article which had no
value previous to the invention.
[th hut just that I should here state that, when the
first notion of cottonixing flax was intimated to me, I
constituted myself, without reserve, an opponent to it,
saying, — " How can 1 lb. of good flax, worth U &/., be
converted into 1 lb. of flax-cotton, which is only worth
&£?" and without further consideration or comment,
I addressed the following letter to the • Morning
Chronicle :' —
44 To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle,
44 Sia, — I have lately seen with much pleasure in your
valuable columns that you have taken a great interest in
tin- intnxlm tiun and extension of the flax industry in this
country, l»ut I really think that you would have done
much more good to this important national cause, bad
you not advocated with so much partiality the new system
of transforming flax into a substitute for cotton; — in
short, converting flax into cotton is nothing more or lest
than redueing a good, substantial, strong article into an
ial one of 50 per cent less value. If cotton could
be converted into flax, it would be one of the greatest dis-
coveries invented up to the present day. But to convert
flax into cotton is one of the greatest reduction ad abturdams
ever heard of. If you are impartial in this matter, you
will have no objection to bring these few remarks before
the ptibfic, tliat they may judge for themselves.
M I lave the honour to be, Sir,
I our most obedient servant,
"E.F.DEMAH,
- Lat* Tkrkmicvi ImMmriot to IS*
MS6 Gforyt Sir—t, Portmam Spar* Rfi /Tax Society.
3 March, 1815. '
166 FLAX :
The * Morning Chronicle' made the following interpre
tation of ray letter : —
" The remarks put forward by Mr. Deraan in the above
letter, and which would go to the complete extinction of
flax culture in this country,* and tin* entire substitution
of foreign cotton for home-grown produce, as well as the
objection urged against the invention of Chevalier Claus-
sen, by the Royal Irish 1 lax Society, and other persons
connected either with the linen manufacture or the present
mode of preparing flax, are, to our minds, most effectually
disposed of in an article which appeared a few days since
in the * Cork Reporter/ The following is an extract of
the article in question : —
" * Another course may very legitimately and forcibly
operate with them (the Royal Flax Society) to the dispa-
ragement of a process like that of M. Claussen. Some of
the objections urged against that process may be — though
we by no means say they are — just, and these objections
may be considered very serious by the Belfast flax-spinners
and linen-manufacturers, and yet be in reality of no prac-
tical importance as affecting the system of Chevalier
Claussen. For instance, we may assume that the strength
of the flax fibre is impaired by the Chevalier's treatment.
This would doubtless be considered a fatal objection by
the northern manufacturers, who look solely for the pro-
duction of linen, one of the peculiar advantages of which
is its durability. But if the new preparation can be made
to supplant cotton, by being equally durable and cheap
with that article, the objection becomes quite unimportant.
* The ' Morning Chronicle ' has taken a wrong notion of my
letter, when he thinks that I am about extinguishing the flax culture
in this country ; — from my exertions the contrary must be sufficiently
proved. But that I recommend and give the preference to the
culture of flax for the linen manufacturers is a fact ; and a fact based
upon sound and well-founded principles.
I/TIVATION AND M MKNT. 167
If M. CUussen's method could not produce a fibre 111 for
the linen manufacturer at ail. of what consequence would
be the fact, provided it produced a fibre capable of being
made the staple of a great manufacture, call it by what
name we may ? The Royal Flax Society appear to regard
flax solely as the raw material for making linen or cambric,
They seem to think that any preparation of it which does
not best adapt it for the manufacture of these fabrics is to
be discountenanced. We take quite a different view of
the subject. We care not what sort of fabric may be
made of the flax fibre, provided it only create sufficient
demand for flax at sufficiently remunerative rates, and
that it shall in itself be a great and profitable manu-
re.* The products in our possession appear to us fit
to be the material for several beautiful textile articles ;
they seem quite capable of being made to take the place
of cotton, to combine with it and with silk or wool, and it
is very absurd, in our opinion, to treat of them solely with
reference to tin* linen manufacture. This our northern
neighbours seem to do, and on this account, more than
any other, we attach little value to their objections.' "
The • Cork Reporter ' appears to take a sound view of
the flax industry, and it is to be regretted that public
correspondence and intercourse should have been ex-
changed between the contending parties which tend more
to decrease than to increase the flax culture ; yet each
• I lore the 4 Cork Reporter ' eul rloee to the greet
nccted with the Chevalier's invention, end in this tingle question lies
the whole atfair — Will the cotton iters be able to pav a remunerative
price for flax ? If they can. plcnt y will be grown for them ; if they
cannot, the affair loeea much of its importance, at they will only
have very inferior qualities of flss, sorh as are of no ese to the
other manufactures ; but even then, the invention will be of tome
importance,— it will give value, as I have already observed, to en
article which, before this invention was known, had no value whatever.
168 FLAX
and all of lis have for object in our exertions to proiimt,
the flax industry in the United Kingdom.
I lax-Growers' Experiments.
At a moment when the culture of flax is looked up to
with so much interest, those who intend growing this plant
will undoubtedly look forward with some eagerness to
recent experiments made by clever flax -growers.
In March last I had the pleasure to be introduced to
the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,
by one of the extensive Leeds flax-spinners, Mr. Marshall,
M.P., and on that occasion the following interesting
statements were made : —
Mr. Samuel Druce, of Ensham, whose property lies on
the Oxford clay formation, cultivated last year 5 a. 2 r.
36 p. on a deep red loam.
Sale of Produce.
£. $. d. £. *. d.
Sale of flax-seed, 116} bushels, at 8*. . 46 10 0
Sale of flax-straw, 12 tons 2 cwts. 2 qrs.
at 31. per ton • .
36 7
6
Sale of chaff, at 5*. per acre
1 8
7
84
Expenses of Cultivation.
£. 8.
d.
One ploughing, at 10.?. per acre
2 17
3
| and harrowing, at Is. 6d. per acre
0 8
7
Weeding, at 2s. per acre
0 11
5
Flax-seed, 13} bushels, at 9*. .
6 1
6
Rent of land, at 48*. per acre .
13 14
9
Taxes, at 6*. per acre ....
1 14
4
Pulling flax, at 14*. per acre .
4 0
1
Carting and stacking, at As. per acre
1 2
10
Threshing . •
5 7
1
Winnowing ......
0 12
6
36
10 4
Leaving net profit to the grower . . £47 15 9
Being at the rate of 8/. 6s. 2d. per acre.
ITS CULTIVATION AND M MENT 169
Mr. Drue© concluded his statement by expressing hit
conviction that the flax crop was not an exhausting crop
at all ; in fact, that his son had found a piece of wheat
after flax one of the beat wheat crops be had grown. 1 1-
thought, at all events, that it would be found a good thing
lor every farmer to grow some flax on his farm, if only for
the purpose of working up his inferior hay with a paste of
besot and flax-seed, as food for his cattl.-.
It may, perhaps, be interesting to add, that Arthur
>g, some fifty years ago, refers to the cultivation of
flax in Mr. Druce's neighbourhood in the following
terms : — " Eight or nine years past there was a consider-
able quantity of flax raised in Oxfordshire, at Water-
Eaton, Hampton, and Yardington, on boggy land ; and
good wheat got after it by Mr. Cocks, &c. ; but at present
there is none. A very singular husbandry, however, in
this vicinity, has been the culture of this plant for the
object of seed, for the sole purpose of fattening bullocks.*'
The high price of linseed cake occasioned this manage-
ment, which answered well ; the flax was watered and
dressed, as in the common way ; but the object of the
cultivation was the seed for live stock.*
Mr. Beale Brown made also a statement and expla-
nation before the Council, respecting the culture and
management of flax, and illustrated in a most satisfactory
* Mr. Samuel Draco, of Enaham, Oxford, has showu, «t the last
Smiihficld Club Cattle Show, in Rakcr-ttrcct, a short-horned Here-
Ami heifer, bred by himself, to which the gold medal has been
awarded. An important feature in connexion with thb animal la,
that one of the principal ingredients of the food upon which it was
fed was linseed compound. At the time when the attention of the
agriculturist b so generally directed to the extension of flax culture,
it is a matter of great importance to know how successfully and pro-
fitably the aeed of this plant can be used. I have myself carefully
inspected Mr. Druce's heifer, and it may be said that the greatest
credit is due to the breeder.
170 FLAX:
manner a series of important advantages resulting from
the Wax culture; and Mr. Brown, it appears, has neither
spared trouble, energy, nor perseverance, to promote the
growth of flax in his neighbourhood, and the amount of
skill and ingenuity he has evinced in this branch of agri-
culture ami industry will undoubtedly bear its fruits.
Mr. Warnes states, tliat the profit upon fourteen acres
of flax grown and prepared by him in 1850 was upwards
of 6/. per acre over that of his wheat.
His figures are —
£. s. d. £. a. d.
Prepared flax sold at Leeds . . . 238 16 0
Value of seed 126 0 0
364 16 0
Deduct cost of preparing . . • . 140 0 0
Gross profit 224 16
Value of produce of 14 acres of wheat at 38 bushels
to the acre, at 40*. per quarter . . . 133 0
Total balance in favour of flax over wheat, not including
6 tons 6 cwts. of husks, equal to hay, 26 cwts. of tow,
and many loads of refuse for littering cattle . . £91 16 0
I feel great pleasure in giving the above statement, the
more so, because I had the pleasure of having been invited
by Mr. Warnes to render my humble services to a Flax
Society which was established in Norfolk in 1843, and to
winch Mr. Warnes acted as honorary Secretary.
Accounts from Scotland respecting the flax culture are
also of a most encouraging nature.
The 'Morning Chronicle' of the 8th January last, under
the head of " Flax Culture " says, —
•• We understand that several farmers in this neigh-
bourhood have resolved to lay out a portion of their fields
for raising flax next season ; in some instances, where the
crop was raised last year, and that not from very fair
land, the price realised was about 14/. per ad
ITS CI l.'U\ ■ i Ml. VI 171
A 1 i'i\ J> 1 X
wing ibort Treatise wii written by me the first year
that I wu iu this country, and then very ignorant of the
English language; I trust, therefore, that my reader* will
overlook its indifferent composition. But the Society thought
proper to publish it verbatim from my manuscript, in order
that the sense of my observations might not be altered. I
have appended it to the present work in iu original form.
A Tbeatise, by M. Demax, on the Suitableness of Ibish
Soil and Cumai vx.
As to the Soil.
Now that I have travelled in every direction through the
North of Ireland, I believe I may assert as a (act, that, in
every part I have visited, flax might be grown, and I saw
scarce any land on which it might not be raised. I would
wish, however, that trial were made in those lands the farmer
judged too bad for it, as my opinion is, if the proper system
Itivation was adopted, and such land duly prepared, flax
would succeed on it, and thus the most sceptic would be
com inotti.
As to the suitableness of
I next advantage that I observe you possess in Ireland
over the people of the Continent b climate : I scarce would
venture this assertion, fearing you would suppose I was exag-
gerating, but that your secretary is known among you, and
can vouch for the truth of the remarks I am about to make.
The flax crops in Belgium are usually sown about the
0
172 ii. \\
beginning of April, at whirh period we have too generally
very dry weather, so that we have much trouble and difficulty
to get the land sufficiently fine moulded or broken down.
N'.w seed, when sown on land well prepared, will spring in
six days, whilst that on rough lain! will not i»row without rain
(or should there be moisture in the ground, very uneven) ;
thus often the first crops spoken of will be three inches above
ground before the other shows at all, as it waits tin- rain
During such dry weather in Ilelyium a kind of insect, called
"springers," is sure to injure the crops, and a bad harvest
necessarily follows. But in this country, so favoured by
Heaven, you have not the inconvenience to fear, as you are
sure of fertile showers at this season, which are so indispen-
sable to the well braiding of the crop, as every one who
understands the nature of it will well know. Droughts in
the months of April and May often deteriorate the crops, and
during my experience as an agriculturist, and latterly as a
factor or merchant of flax (purchasing it on the foot from the
farmers, and preparing it on my own account), I have know n
four seasons at different times that the crops, from the heat
and the dryness of the summer, did not exceed eight inches in
length.
Thus you possess advantages of incalculable value for the
culture of flax from climate.
It is, however, true and proper that I should here state,
that you also have disadvantages in your climate for this crop,
for at the pulling-time, and for the succeeding operations, wet
weather is much against the preparation of the flax, and If,
undoubtedly, one of the principal causes of its inferior qua-
lities. But this may be all counteracted^ as Mr. S., the
secretary, now understands, by the Courtrai system in this
country, viz. by drying the flax in shock in the field and
stacking it, aud holding it over to the following spring for
steeping % and thus the inconvenience in the climate, and its
un suitableness for steeping, and grassing, and drying may be
ITS CULT1VA1 .GEMKNT. I 7;\
avoided. But as I am |icjaundsd many of the email (vmr
cannot adopt this system, they should endeav our to sell their
crops on the foot while yet green, aome daya before it b fit for
pulling, aa I* ao generally done in Delginm i and factors might
be established here and there who would thee boy the erope
and carry it through all the after prooaaioi on their own
account, and to their profit j and thus the mnner would reaiiae
in August the value of the crop which he had laid down in
l. And by thia plan, with a seventh, or even a tenth
part of hi* farm in flax, be would have the lament of hat rent
in pocket at once. In Belgium a farmer considers himself
safe, and bat his eaae, when hie flax promieea well, and, on the
contrary, that all goes wrong when it turns out badly.
ii reference to the foregoing observations, I feel con-
vinced that, if the system is adopted in thia country, flax of the
first qualities may be produced, and perhaps auperior to that
of Belgium.
For I again assert you have the soil and climate to produce
it, but you can never have any great improvement if the above
project is not put in execution. It i* true that some fanners
of intelligence and in good cirenmetances may follow out the
good system of Belgium, but the most part will not give
themselves ao much trouble (even when instructed in it):
besides, it is impossible to unite all in a general system without
constituting the management of flax as a separate branch of
business, to be altogether conducted by persona who can en*
tin ly and devotedly dedicate themselves to it. In Belgium
the management of the flax-crops, after it is grown, is reckoned
quite unsuitable for farmer* ; teen, the most intelligent and
better circumstanced declare it to be so for the following
reasons : they cannot give the care and attention it requires
thr-Mii^hout the summer ami autumn, when they have so
on hand to attend to, ami they are assured that without
particular care the result is worth nothing to them, and there-
fore thev are induced to sell the crops green on the foot to the
0%
174 FLAX:
irers or factors, who make it their sole business, and
thus can do it better than them. With large or small hnm N
the motives must be the same, as other produce of his farm
hum demand his attention and disqualify him from doing
justice to this particular nop.
The Belgian farmer, should he even miss his market, never
thinks of treating his Max himself, further than pulling, drying]
and stacking it ; and lie will have it sometimes two or three
years by him before he sells it, and yet it preserves very well,
and even improves.
I hope I have said enough to lead some individuals to make
the experiment of this system ; as to myself, if a fair oppor-
tunity were offered me to engage in the business, either with a
firm or a joint-stock company, I would not hesitate to do it,
well assured it would succeed here as well as on the Continent
if properly engaged in.
E. F. Deman,
Belgian Agriculturist employed by the
Royal Flax Society.
ITS CULTIVATION AND MAN 17r>
Beloia!! Rotation* or Caora.
Die following table* of rotation* on different toil* will be
useful, not only to the flax-grower, but to agriculturists in
general.
176
I LAX :
No. 1 — Tabi.k of Rotations
Fir* Y«ar.
8wm4YNr.
Third Y«tf.
Fo>»rth VatS. Kifth Yc«r.
!
Buckwheat Carrots.
Oats. Cs0vW«
Flax and Carrots.
Rye and Turnips.
Rye and Turnips.
Potatoes, Peas Oats and Rye.
and Carrots.
Spurrey and
Turnips.
Buckwheat
Flax.
Rye.
Clover.
Rye and Turnips.
Rye and Turnips. I
Flax and Clover.
Clover.
Oats or Spurrey,
or Peas.
Rye and Turnips.
Rye and Turnips.
No. 2.— Table of Rotations
Wheat.
Rye and Turnips.
Rye or Barley,
and Turnips.
Potatoes.
Pontes*
Wheat
Flax and Clover
or Carrots.
Oats.
Rye and Carrots,
or Barley and
Turnips.
Potatoes.
Wheat.
Barley and
Turnips.
1
Rye and Carrots.
Potatoes.
Wheat
No. 3.— Tari.f. of Rotations
Oats.
Carrots or Barley,
and Turnips.
Wheat
Beans.
Clover.
Barley and
Turnips.
Rape and Carrots,
or Beans.
Wheat
Flax.
wheat
Barley.
Beans.
Wheat
Rye and Turnips.
Oats and Clover,
or Potatoes.
Clover, Rape, and
Turnips.
Rape and Turnips.
Wheat.
Rye and Turnips.
( »afs.
ITS CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMIHT,
io t poor Sandy Soil.
nut* tat
bmik Y«w.
BatMh Ymt
Kls*ftY«*f.
T«Mft Y«*.
p—
I »u r i | y .
FUx ftod Cftrrota
Bftrley and
Turuip*.
NK*
K>c and Turnip*.
CUrer.
Rye or Hurley,
and Turnipa.
Ofttft,
Ditto, OftM, and
NMni
Flax and Carrot*.
Flax and Carrot*.
Kjranl Turuip*.
DfttiorBockwbeftt
Oftrroftv
Rye.
Rye and Turnip*.
Flax.
Cloeer.
Back wheat or
Potato**, or
( arr..t».
Bftrley ftod
Turnipa.
Ryr and Turnipa.
Oat*.
Rye and Turnip*.
FUx.
FUx.
fcr the richest ki
ndufl.i^tSnl.
Wheat
H\f.
Flax,
Ckrrer.
Rye or BtrK-y,
and Turnip*.
Ofttft.
FUx and Carrot*.
Rye.
Oorer.
Rye and Turnips.
Bftrley and Tur-
nipa, orOata.
FUx.
Clorer.
Rye.
Flax and Carrot*.
Ofttft.
Oorer.
for ft good Strong
|«a
Rye and Turnip*.
Potatoes.
Wheat
Kyc and Turnip*.
FUx.
Wheat
Rye and Turnips.
Poutoe*.
Rape and Carrot*.
FUx.
Rye and Turnip*.
Potato**.
Rye ftod Turnip*.
Oat* or FUx.
|
Wheat
Rye or Bftrley,
and Turnipa.
rux.
Rye and Turnip*
Potato**.
Rape and Turnipa.
Oats or Flax.
Wheat
Rye and Turnipa.
FUx.
CloTrr.
Wheat,
Rye or Bftrley,
and Turnip*.
Ofttsor FUx.
178 FLAX: ITS CULTIVATION, ETC.
Implement Drawings, &c.
Drawings of the implements requisite for the use of the
different processes connected with the preparation of flax can
be obtained by application to Mr. Deman.
Mr. Deman will also feel pleasure in corresponding mWk
those who are desirous to obtain further information, which he
can either give by writing, or in some cases by paying a short
visit, and thus enable him to give verbal and practical instruc-
tion on the most scientific points.
LOWDON : PRI.NTED BY W. CLOWES AND SOUS, STAMEOHD STREET.
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