The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-12-13 00:00:00

THE CULTIVATION OF FLAX.

The December meeting of the Dorehester Farmers
Club was held last Saturday evening, at the King's'
Arms Hotel, Dorchester. Mr. J. Homer presided, Mr.
R. Gongs in the vioe-ohair, and there were also pretest
—Mr. G. J. Andrews (hon. see.). Mr. I'. Chapman
Saunders (treasurer), Mr. B. Damen, Kr. H. Pope,
Yr. T. Chick, Mr. H. W. Hawkins, Mr. J. Dance,
Mr. E. Whittle, Mr. G. W. Homer, Mr. B. J. Herding,
Mr. Chick, Kr. Owiniagton, Mr. .1. O. Foots, Mr. J.
Scutt, Mr. T. Look, Mr. A. Pope, Mr. F. Pearce, Mr.
Foot, Mr. D. Taylor, Mr. F. L. Turner, Its. Three
new members were elected—Mr. F. L. Turner. of
Fordington ; Mr. E. Bunton, of West Knighton and
Mr. J. Scutt, Osmingeon.
The sahlesefer eonsideration was the cultivation of
flax, and it was iotrodueed by Mr. R. Dame., of
Dorekidema In the outset, Mr. Damen referrod to the
fact that for three titillated years lea had been culti-
vated by civilised nations. It was mentioned tavern
timed i* the Holy Scriptures, nod "Au linen " made
from flax was frequently mentioned in the Bible. In
those early days flax wee muututured to the greatest
perfection—indeed, be believed better than was now
done with the aid of machinery. It was extensively
used in wrepping mut:amiss, some of those in the
British Museum having as much as sixty yards
around them; and many years ago paper was made
from the hoes taken from mummies. In the put all
civilised nations grew flu and were clothed by it.
Egypt was the chief country of its cultivation, the low-
lands by the banks of the Nile being most adapted for
Its growth. In hot countries the garments of the
people were made of flax, and in cold diatriets of wool,
rhe period when du wee introduced to this Gauntry
was not very clear, but It had been known for at least
IWO years. England was uncivilised till 210 years
after the Christian era, the people nothing themselves
with the skins of animals in winter, and in summer
painting themselves. When Christianity spread, the
inhabitants sought to clothe themselves, grew flex, and
made garments of it, and clothed themselves in a
Christian manner—perhaps more Cl:mistime-like than
some people in the present day—(laeghter). In those
days the flax was spun by the matrons and maidens, it
being considered the duty of all, both high and low, to
be skilled in the use of the spindle and dutied for that
purpose. It was on record that King Alfred wore
robes of flu which were made by his sisters, and until
about • century ego, when cotton was introduced, home-
spun flax wise in general use. But now the spinning of
yarn, other than such ss he was apinningoras a lost ark
Every fishing net that had been made from the time of
our Staour to the present had been manufactured
from flax, and by lie means had all the fish been caught
that bad fed millions of people. He was indebted to
Mr. Seettill, of Pymore mule, sear Bredport, for
some interesting fans respecting the imports of flax.
Into the harbour of Bridporl alone eau about
1,400 tons, chiefly Russian du, a year, with
van, of about £90,000, and • considerable quantity is
also received from Bristol and other places- It is esti-
mated that the quantity_ grown in Dorset, Somerset,
sad Devonshire is from 400 and 500 tons, or only about
oarthird of the quantity imported 58 Bridport harbour
alone. At one tense beet month there were foreign
vessels Ire ibr harbour dhuharging flax of the value of
£50,000. The average of floc grown in the United
Kingdom in 1868 wee—la Ing6." ming acres In
WlllOl, 169; In Scotland, 1,546; and in Ireland.,
306,448, total, 323,989 ecru, producing about 50,000
toes. But notwithstanding tea above large produce,
the importation' of 1868 amounted to 90,833 tons, or
nearly double the amount of the home produce, with a
cal.e of needy £330,000. However much might he
grown in Bogland there wend be • reedy martin for
It. In this aunty they were particularly well situated
for divans' of it, and the wader wee that if the land
be adapted for its ontivaidon, go little was grown. In
growers often had to lead 40 or 60 miles to a
sontehieg mill. "Coker mail cloth" was known all over
the world. end mash was the reputation of Ocher that flax
foods mensfactued at Bridport were styled of Bridport,
' near Goiter." If farmers would take the nuessary
trouble, and got their leadin good order, they might grow
Bar which would fetch • good pries. Len year was one
of the woe.* mesons known, bet at Broadwineer, Mr.
Bryant sold 10 'aro by *nation, and it mid' 1:14 per