The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-17 00:00:00

THE GROWTH OF FLAX IN IRELAND.

Amongst the provincial press and the landed in-
terest in the north of Ireland there seems to be a
great desire to encourage the growing of flax ; but
the farmers, it must be confessed, receive their ad-
vice coldly, as they have little confidence in it
preying a lucrative one. This is, however, a mis-
take. Experiments have shown that it amply re-
pays the grower ; and considering the effect a plen-
tiful and regular crop would have on the linen trade
of Ireland, it is earnestly to be hoped that before
long it will be more generally cultivated than it is
at present. The Cork Examiner believes, in riPpd,
that in time this will prove the case :

" We are glad to see the flax movement progres-
sing, though its progress is, we must confess, rather
tortoise-like. Still, it is progress, and therefore we
rejoice at it. Indeed we are, after all, better pleased
to see a slow and steady progress than to witness a
sudden spring into a flax growth. We have had
painful experience of how short-lived are those
movements which have their origin in enthusiasm.
After the first impulse they generally languish, and
then come to a stand-still. The tortoise in the fable
beat the scornful hare, and when we are inclined
to murmur at the crawlings of some poor struggling
tortoise of our own, we take comfort when we re-
member how the fleet hare fell asleep on his
journey."
A reason why the more extensive cultivation of
this crop should be desired is given in the Northern
Whig :
" It would be unfortunate, for many reasons, were
the Belfast linen trade not conspicuously repre-
sented in the Exhibition of 1862. The French
treaty has opened out new markets for our pro-
duce, and advantage should certainly be taken of
the favourable opportunity to show what Belfast is
capable of doing, so as to reap the full benefit of the
privileges placed at our disposal by the modifica-
tion of an almost prohibitive tariff."
Should the demand in France for Irish linens in-
crease, the staple trade of the north may yet re
sume its old activity ; but before this desirable
event takes place the manufacturers must be able to
count upon a certain and libet al supply of Irish-
grown flax.

THE CHANNEL FLEET AT BELFAST.
The Channel fleet, which left Belfast yesterday,
appears to have excited an extraordinary amount
of interest in that busy city. Thousands visited
the various vessels ; indeed, the crowds were so great
that several serious accidents occurred. On Wed-
nt sday evening, the Town Council entertained Rear-
Admiral Smart, and the principal officers of the
fleet, to a splendid dejeuner, and in the evening
they were all present at a ball given in their honour.
At the dejeuner Rear-Admiral Smart, in replying
to the toast of " The Navy," spoke as follows :
"I have now been half-a-century connected
with the navy. I have witnessed the phases it
has gone through during that period, and per-
haps it may be satisfactory to gentlemen con-
nected with the commerce of this country to
hear that my opinion of the navy is that I have
never known it in a more efficient state—(loud
cheers)—and I have no doubt that when it is called
upon, and when it is led to battle by some of those
very distinguished officers I see around me—(cheers)
—you will find that it will do its work. (Loud
cheers.) Having said this, Ido not think that I
can say any more. lam exceedingly proud of the
marked manner in which you have drunk the toast
of the noble profession of which lam a member. I
wish that it was in better hands to express the
grateful feeling that we all have towards you for
the manner in which you have been pleased to re-
ceive us, and we only hope that the sight of the
ships in Belfast Lough may have given you grati-
fication." (Hear, hear.)
Admiral Erskine also responded on behalf of the
navy. He said,—

~ With respect to what fell from our worthy
chairman, as to the advisability of continuing the
Channel fleet in its full efficiency, that is a very
serious question, which rests with the Government
of the country ; but I cannot but rejoice at hearing
that feeling expressed by such a community as the
gentlemen of Belfast—(hear, hear)—not merely as
a naval officer desiring to see my own profession,
COLONIAL.
in which I take a great pride, kept up in a high TEA.—There has been a very limited business transacted,
condition, but because, as as naval officer, I feel dealers having deferred their operatriiocness,unhtoilwethveer,puhbalvieo
and I know the difficult improvisingof a nay
s
when it is required. (Hear, hear.) I have no SUGAR.
y taeleens,i whi?hblconrmmenced to-day. p
—Nyfiore inquiry has been apparent for the better
have shown
apprehension whatever as to the mechanical part qualities, and prices an improved tendency. In
of the business. When I see the magnificent
trshreedfined market
fully previous rates have been esta-
building-yards all over England, and when I
which htoavthees
COFFEE.—Only limited dealings have been recorded, owing
nanitoeurantcieodn.for public sale. Prices
see the means of constructing iron ships
emal and has taken place for all descrip-
you have at Belfast and at other places, I fee;
that,i in the mechanical points, we shall never be ratie3suhsianveessLhcan readily obtained.
behind other nations; but the personnel of the navy few dealings entered into weres actoatiuuutefdorizaecrtgivueottaatnidontshe
TALLOW.—The market has continued dull, and prices
is the most important part. (Hear, hear.) When h hown a further slight depression. P.Y.C. on the spot
one hears of the difficulty of manning the navy, it is quoed 4
88., and sprwg delivery, 18s 64 to 181 3d.
t i o
,SALTPETRE.—Business
Asi ,
Lc andhTEl: large
gTnAfeußnlEslot. quantitye
ma steady