The depressed condition of agriculture, consequent on the low prices
obtainable for all kinds of produce, has led the British farmer to turn
his attention to the growth of crops hitherto neglected or unthought
of. This is exemplified by the interest now taken in the cultivation
of tobacco and the inquiries being made regarding it, with a view to
its wholesale production in England. It is doubtful, however, if in
this case the British farmer will be able to compete successfully with
his American rival, the latter being favoured by nature with soil and
climate specially suited for the growth of the ‘weed.’
There are other plants, however, which claim our attention, and amongst
these the flax plant. This is perfectly hardy and easily cultivated,
and is free from the bugbear of American competition. It is grown
largely in Ireland, especially in the north, and at the present time
is the best paying crop grown in the island. The following figures
show the quantity of fibre produced during the year 1885: Ireland,
20,909 tons; Great Britain, 444 tons. As far as the British Islands are
concerned, Ireland has practically a monopoly in the production of this
valuable article of commerce. It was formerly grown to a large extent
in Yorkshire and in some parts of Scotland; but of late years, was
given up in favour of other crops. It can now be produced to show much
better results than formerly, flax not having fallen in price so much
in proportion as other farm produce. Compared with the requirements
of the linen manufacturers, the quantity grown in the British Isles
is very small, and had to be supplemented by the import from foreign
countries, during 1885, of over eighty-three thousand tons, value
for three million and a half sterling. Two-thirds of this quantity
is imported from Russia, the remainder principally from Holland and
Belgium.
The manufacturer will give the preference to home-grown fibre provided
that it is equal in all respects to the foreign. We can scarcely hope
to compete successfully with Holland and Belgium, as flax-culture
has been brought to great perfection there; but we _can_ produce
a fibre much superior to Russian, and if we can produce it cheap
enough, can beat Russia out of the market. The average price of Irish
flax in 1885 was about fifty-two pounds per ton; the yield per acre,
where properly treated, would be from five to six hundredweight on
an average. In many cases the yield rose far above these figures,
reaching ten to twelve hundredweight, and in one instance which came
under the writer’s personal observation, to eighteen hundredweight. A
new scutching-machine—a French patent—is now being tested in Belfast,
and it is stated that by its use the yield of fibre is increased by
thirty per cent. Should this apparatus come into general use, it will
add greatly to the value of the flax plant as a crop. In continental
countries, the seed is saved, and its value contributes largely to the
profit of flax-culture there. Any difficulty that might exist in this
country with regard to the preparation of the fibre for market might be
met by farmers in a district banding together to provide the requisite
machines, which can now be had cheaper and better than before.
If flax-culture is profitable in Ireland, it can be made so in Britain;
and if only half of the eighty-three thousand tons annually imported
could be grown at home, a large sum would be kept in the country which
now goes to enrich the foreigner.