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IMaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartea, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmte i des taux de rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul clichA. il est film* A partir de I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut an baa, en prenant la nombra d'images nAcessaire. Las diagrammes suivants illustrent le mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 hi Hi MM- E i^fl 'I CULTIVATION OF FLAX. ^^ PRACTICAL hints/,- ON THE / rmVATION AND TREATMENT c,^ «, ^>- OF \ 0'W,, ^' § ^ O THE FLAX PL ,<^NSy2^ »M V/M.1 :•/ ■n' V. i Hp iW J964 EPPKESSLY FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CANADIAN FARMER. vuii' nil) -i.vnuin Uiiuir. y -: -v ,^ mx^^i^ BY J. A. DONALDSON/^'-'^SS^T^': kvktMH^O^-^ hai^ S«;^»i»f ^^^''^^^^^^ EMIGRATION AGENT, TOR<.XTO, ■ \^m .^^^91^^^ ib:^!^:k%, uv^.-it' 'v^ '■ H ,MU«^^^:>'' TORONTO • vi*-'*"^ •'"***''■■ ''*-''^- t> n^-X^^* ^y'^ .leifRINTED AT THE '• GLOBE " STEAM PRESS, 26 & 28 KING ST. EAST. : ' m V-- ■ ^.■.- ... v.. . 1866. ■ ■-' - ' ■-' ■ ■•■• ' - ■-•• . ,11 • ; I '> ( V > I " -^i \ \AkA\ ''\() /0|'I7 711 I )') Kf ififilq 4f(ffiff(i\7 r:if|j 'lo Horlr.vliJfr) OffJ )o 9f>ftJiffo«|riff mmT .'l'>iil.v/ ,qo'i*> tuoilV/^ oil) lo o'mliji'l oil! .'»fj/iir: Y[f)ji;>'»qH') o-jf«fn ,ri()if r»nj^f)'jf//oiiyI'>ji o(f Hi 7/^ tl .Imotroy oa onio-j'jd vl'jtBKuholdir ^^.i.rf 'to H-i.,iIfj<{ oifl O'JG fj')'£f)fiinjfv> oiuoil ])im o'ifjll;i'.>t'j^r; trufi Kj'. 7iU af.»u'»)ij^ rfH'jotjr/g riod/f I)itr> ; •()n'>qr!f»Kj liuiottjid -iT^H yji x{olhoqo'i(| fil .bovnfqdj'j Q'lr, ffAalit(( oil) finr. •r'antxlj;! J 'jctf^rw fihiril '\\) Pt'M\'MMw\ i^v>\n^')^\'^\^ ■uLj Ifji ,l>o«r!'riq;if> «i 'yMf)fir> •ffjtxif'.l Ijifjj , rrinijuf) Ip/iuiln'M'/^i; up. {bfilUD ^(li'xi ^nlunui') 1);ik : ' W'>U/l-jjii yll(i<-rt07(i!ii ,iioj>^8<)'tqMfi Ju'jt,; 'oiuni Iho-^'vki in .l^/ii '0<] 1i .qo'f'i ;li5fM{//' ofU lo o'lnilnl Ij!r)ti');^ aril irrod -kI oJ lopho! -un)') Hit lo 'j'»<{ii!'>nf Y'f'/> iff'f ('fofinj-.l -'iW j\ao lod ,>(| ocfffi??> vb'MiiMi .udOi'. Ij ooH imc. ll't^;dnil (jqq> <>i .YiiujMd /jirr Xiifi y.no'wiA ^iA\ )'nu\ o'lirBr/jdi ^.ifd*>y iii. v»;i(i ii;./! i ,[»ddiniif<)0'ri r-.i cwuir.'t ,d.loM rtovlowdiixij )\vyr'.r\(\ oo'jndoi Jmjj; (jih.mI ,'>i^'>(lt ^\U}v.\f yjijl /«li IrrfJ />yi'.hTHy.[jn .i>fio'ijj^ m1 ftolAvitlii'* -xi iifin Jflrioh od rrtl fnris.^j'-if^'^z^* ofd/rrofjrHno'i ynr n o) ]>')')dTin-iirrr if'ii'kf'irj.^.'jfrfh qoi't oldiuifiiv -iiflJ Jt')7h4 e/ii/i -ion /jun odv/ o^orlt lo )/i'>d'iff '*j1) nn ;.(: /jij^f; o] l|j7/ Kj; .jtJj: ■\"ni\ In 'fi.rjlv i; nfidi r^aol jon i"x;d} jylqH[x;zi;> odi //(jDol oi f^-fulJo oJ iiijiwtrjulmi lit (jo'io 'ii.'U oi I:)QJo/^)ii 9ir*vi wnhf; [.'ii.iit!!!(.>il) rioi oi ijl';a,i'» u.'ojI ;'.9JJ'ir.iiif{xe>Jd^i lo fidnucj ji Ivrtf! .ixi':*/ .jhid (djidfn'J r^qcj J •'idioisliiaidii ffi ind jioiJi.vidfi* >,d tu /fno ton ji')./t'i. -wful •fjdirp^rroy lol .I1H yljoojJ l»-.)*U)J'>ni.uirnMi ot.d Icrr.jtnd.r y/ivf rid) ^^di .7'ftdiio') a-iu\ ■iii.'i ill iddi yrfoi).K't:>qci oHod^f .nood lo.o') >> .. oiU sifh-./j .crs^tHoW odT J"i9)dd.fT'^«ib ^ool'foifjV/ If* {ti'i/ur) offt jijcnij^no'fdi YJ'ff!'^'^^ bdot'!:'> .. ( CULTIVATION OF FLAX; » * ■«>» > « The importance of the cultivation of this vahiable plant in Canada has, of late years, occupied a la,rgo share of my atten- tion, more especially since the failure of the Wheat crop, which has unfortunately become so general. It will be acknowledged by all that agriculti\re and home commerce are the pillars of national prosperity ; and when success attends the plough, the labourer and the artisan are employed. In proportion as agri- culture is depressed, all the dependent branches of trade suffer ; and Canada being entirely an agricultural country, and labour- ing at present under great depression, universally acknow- ledged to be from the general failure of the wheat crop, it be- hooves, not only the farmer, but every member of the com- munity, to apply himself and see if some remedy cannot be found, that may in some measure meet this serious evil. The. farmer is recommended to try many other descriptions of crops. Among these, hemp and tobacco present themselves. Bo'h, no doubt, can be cultivated to great advantage, but flax has already been introduced to a very considerable extent, and for the benefit of those who ma}/ not have given this valuable crop a share of their attention, it may be as well to state, as an inducement to others to follow the example, that not less than from eight to ten thousand acres were devoted to this crop in Upper Canada last year, and a number of enterprising parties have embarked not only in its cultivation, but in manufactur- ing the raw material into manufactured goods fit for consump- tion in our own country. The Messrs. Ferine Bros. & Co., of Doon, whose operations extend nearly throughout the County of Waterloo, distributed f CULTIVATION OF FLAX. seed to the farmers for sowing to the extent of nearly three thousand acred last year. Col. Mitchell, of Norval, County of Halton, also furnished seed to a large number of farmers in his neighbourhood. Parties desirous of going into the cultivation or manufacture of this product, would do well to visit one or other of these estahlishments. At St. Mary's, 8t. Thomas, Elora, Stratford, London, Woodntock, Goderich, Weston, Whit- by, Uxbridge, Cobourg, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, Mir- vickville, Newcastle, Matilda, and many other placjos, a good beginning has been made. Linen manufactories are also springing up. This branch of enterprise is certainly the greatest boon of all to this country, converting as it does, the Taw material into manufactured goods of a description so much in common use in Canada, such as linen for bagging, brown holland, drills, toweling, bed ticking, .shoe threads, sad- dlers' threads, wrapping twine, and cordage of every de- scription. All these articles have hitherto been largely impor- ted, and we have been paying upon them a duty of twenty per cent.,..-/, ,^,f,j ^jy .^,,j., |j,;j| ^4^,^.rf .,(, ^1,4.,/,/ ,;,j|;I [||; fj,, J,,, Cottonizing the fibre is also engaging the attention of the skilful artisan. This process may be seen at the Doon Mills. A two-fold benefit will arise from the production of this new class of goods. First, it will take the place of cotton batting, which, like all articles of that class, is at war prices. Secondly, the farmer will be relieved of the most objectionable part of the labour which attends flax, — ^that of pulling, as it can be cot- tonized-when taken from the field in any shape, without regard to its being made into sheaves, as is required if used for scutch- ing, and producing a 'fibre fit for spinning into yarn, i ,^^^,_-^\ ,^^<^ i(, While, endeavouring as briefly as possible to point out the most economical and profitable mode of cultivation and after treatment of the flax crop, it is necessary to caution parties intending to give the new product a fair trial, not to expect too much at ieast for the first year. In order to success, the direc- tions about to be given must be carefully observed. If they cannot in all cases be followed to the letter, beginners should keep as jaear them as possible. At the same time, there can be. little doubt that e^sperience from year to year will enable :;a;ii;i CULTIVATION OP FLAX. B the farmer to make many improvements on the rules herein laid down. This has ^ 'en the ease in all flax pfrowing coun- tries, and Canada wil' iiardly prove an exception. itii h •i^" I will now proc( t',d to point out the description of soil best calculated for a crop of flax. All parties that have written on this subject are of opinion that a good clay subsoil, with a friable deep loam, is the best for this plant ; but I have seen it grown in Ire- land on almost every descri])tion of land. My belief is that in every county in Canada there are large tracts well adapted for flax. All the valleys along tho rivei-s are admirably suited to its growth. Mr. Beck of Baden, County of Waterloo, where a scutching mill has long been established, sowed flax three suc- cessive years on a piece of rich flats near his mill, and the crop produced the last year was the best of the three. In ordei' liow- ever to succeed in getting a good crop On any land, parties must not imagine for a moment that they can dispense Avith care- ful attention and thorough cultivation. The land should be well ploughed m the fall, twice if necessary, taking carb in every case to pick off all the weeds or roots that may in any way ob- struct the growth of the plant. After a preparation of this kind, when the land is in good tilth, many prefer sowing on the win- ter face, but at any rate a light ploughing will answer in the spring, or the application of the cultivator. Before sowing you require to harrow well with a heavy harrow ; next the sm-face should be rolled ; then pass a light harrow on the land ; and lastly roll again. Let the ridges be as wide as possible, with as few furrows as can be made, since the flax is likely to be of unequal lengths when there are mart}- itirrows. With regard to the time for sowing, about the tenth of May is the best time ordinarily, but this is a point to be determined by the season and the state the land is in. Weeds are among the worst ene- mies we have to contend with in the culture of this crop, but we do not suffer so much in Canada in this respect as Canada, dew-rettiiig being the method u*iually »idoptod. When ; flax is allowed tp stand ii^ tho stook with the seed on, it is,.' necessary to turn the beets or sheaves, to prevewt tlie action of , the sun from injuring the libra .,. f,,,„, j „, „( ^,,,1 Uv.th, lint U> Both dew-retting and steeping have been carried on success- fully here. The Messrs. Ferine Jiros. and Co., who have done i so much in the County of, Waterloo, have followed tlie dew-ret- ting systeyi exclusively, and in tilniost every iustanqe the farm- ers themselves l|iave undertaken to do this part of the labour,// after taking the seed off which is done by a ripple., This is an im- plement simple in itself and can be made by any handy black- j smith. It consists of a row of iron t^eth screwed into a block of wood ; the teeth, require to be abo;ut 18 inches long, tapering to , a point at the top, and placed about 3-lG of an inch apart at the , bottom. , , The straw or fibre is tiien carted to a paeadow or grass field,. . spread abroad as evenly as possible, allowed to remain for , about eight days, then turned over once, when at the end of , other six or eight days, according to the weather, it is ready to , t lift. This is known by rubbing a few stalks of the fibre together between your lingers, and when the boon,, or wopdy part, leaves i, the fibre freely, it is ready to lift. ^ ..,,,,j.^ ,f.,,.(^ w,,, )^}.rn.,' nffl I Should the party have water convenient, and follow; the steeping process, the same course must be pursued after t£da];ig the seed ofi' as iu the case of dew-retting ; i. e., the flax should d ounnvATioN or flax. be: tftken immedifttely to the cesspool or i^'^is .pcrBpare j about equal, as f [dl wheat requires two seasons to produce a . crop when fallowing is, necessary. Flax is a spring crop, put ixi>* , and taken off in the short space of 70 or 80 days. Taking so i . much for granted, it will be seen that whatever is gained from ; i CULTH^TION OF FLAX. Im ri ; A the fibre will be hiet profit the farmer ; and while he gets 10 bushels of se6d, he may safely reckon on 300 lbs. of clean scutched flax, worth, at present prices, from $6 to |8 per 100' Ibsj but assuming it to be only worth |5, there will be $15* profit bVer wheat. Some argue that hay will produce more thiin ' a crop 6i flax ; then 1 say, grow hay by all means. Others say ' barley will produce piore ; but they must not forget t)iat, should the abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty take place, the pric6'' of this grain may be seriously affected. AUother consideration ^ preseiits itself in connection with this crop. Should Mr. Dunkin's Bin become the law of the land, as it has already in the Count}'^ ' of Halton aud other parts of the country, may not the price of barley become serioUsly affected by it as well as by the iibrogia- ' tion of the Reciprocity Treaty, in case that measure should ' be carried out by the American Congress? I do hope the'r' Treaty may continue in force, but it is well to be prepared for" all contingencies. Taking this view of the subject, the cultrva-^ tiou of the flax plant commends itself strongly to the notice of ' the promoters of the temperance cause, for neither fibre nor '' seed can be converted into any kind of intoxicating drinks.' " Linseed oil is extrjicted from the seed ; while an article of food '.' for cattle is also produced in the shape of oil-cake. ^ = The fibre can be converted into a hundred different kinds of the most useful descriptions of goods in common use in the'*' coimtry, and of which we are Targe consumers ourselves, such ' as coarse linen of every description, brown hollands, bed-tick, "' linen drills, shoe threads, counter twines, whipcord, plough';' lines, bed-cords, ropes, coarse twines, in fact, cordago ot' every '' kind. On all such goods we are paying a duty of twenty per ' ' cent., which will be saved ; while at the same time a new field'' ^ of industry is thrown open vdiorc artisans and laliourers will .' find ready employment. ' The success of the Messrs. Ferine Bros. & Co., of Boon, and i ' Col. Mitchell, of Norval, with others engaged in this new and valuable branch of Canadian industry, furnishes evidence suffi- cient to satisfy the most incredulous mind that this is one of ' ' the finest countries in the world to commence operations of this ' kiud. The Messrs. Ferine commenced only a few years ago with **' IJi 12 f i r err)*) >«> M' hf> m ;iTf CULTIVATION OP FLAX. f* at few acres which they induced the farmers to grow for them, by offering the seed for sowing in the spring, and promising theyr would have a mill in operation in the fall of the same year, whic^ would enable them to purchase from the farmers bothseed and fibre. Since then it is well known- they have Iwgely ain(»reased their operations, and are at the present time carrying on no less than eight scutching mills in the County of Waterloo, in addition to a large linen manufactory, for which they deserve all credit. At Nerval, Col. Mitchell, although not sefiftttensively engaged, and carrying the business on a some-- wh&i different principle, has invested largely in vats for steep- ing purposes, and is at this moment getting in machinery for spinning and weaving. It is very desirable for parties inteir- eated in the welfare of this country to visit either or both of tih^se ,€i8t»Wishments. What has been done in the Counties of Watejrloo and Halton can be done elsewhere, and there need be no apprehension, for years to come, that we are going to produce more than we will consume. The articles produced ai!e all staple goods, and in constant use. Our neighbours oja the other side of the lines are alive to this neAv project. Oply two'yews ago the Government offered the handsome sum of $20,000 -for the encouragement of the cultivation of flax in >vv sing^t State. The Messrs. Barber Bro. & Co., of Lisbuin, in t^<^;Nprtiit of Ireland, known to be the largest linen thread manofacturers in the world, perhaps, are erecting a manufac- toiryi^^ apla^e called Patterson, nearly opposite New York, at a CQ^t of some fifty or sixty thousand pounds sterling, for the p^i^ose of Qommencing operations of a similar character with Iheir jH?osent establishment at Lisburn, only on a smaller scale. There is no good reason why we should not have capitalists QOQung , into this country to make similar investments, as we have ine;:jdianstible water-power, climate and soil equal to any HI the world, and a ready market at our own door for all the coarser descriptions of goods. Some will argue that labour is tQ9^ scarce and dear in this country to carry on manufacturing operations successfully. When we take into consideration the |wjkje of , provisions in Canada ; beef and mutton being from 4 to 6 cents per lb., and other things in proportion, so different <•• CULTIVATION OF FLAX. 18 from the prices in Europe, where the same commodities cannot be' had for even double their cost here, — w^ perceive thafc it only needs the sure prospect of employment to lead artigaiite Ui emigrate to this country. Moreover, when men aire vrell pfdd; moire work is done, and in Canada every man ha» an object in. view, either to better his position as An artisan^ or >fieecn^6'li tract of land for his family, which he seldom iaiis in doingi Have not our woollen manufactories succeeded retnarkabtyf Where will you find a more prosperous business than is dMnied on at Streetsville in the woollen manuflaotory ^ f the Mes^n^v Barber Bro. & Co., where over one hundred hands av^'^ailj^ employed ? Go to the mills of Mr. Hespeler, and there' sect faift extensive works. Such establishments are a credit to QMib>d^' and the enterprise of the parties caiT^g them on desel«v^(*'tii0' highest praise. What do we find at the Village of Pi-eitJiys a heavy rent for his land. : From one to two and three pounds sterling per acre is paid, and often for lands especially adapted for the growth of flax, I have known as high as eight guineas an aero paid. I may state that I was present when the party paying that amount of rent was offered X30 sterling per acre for his flax on the ground before it was pulled, which ho refused, and I learned afterwards he made more of it. The manufacturers too, have often to invest large amounts ip, leasehold property where the land belongs to some estatcd gentleman ; and frequently at the expiration of such lease an additional rout is exacted, or perhaps tho tenant is dispossessed, and loses his improvemei^ts altogether. We have no such pcqurrences to dread in Canada ; here, parties own their own Jands, have no rents to pay, . a mere trifle for taxes, and theii* improvements remain in their own hands, instead of fallinginto tho hands of other i^arties..;; Jo ).>ni[tin( iiit 'i<)l .t)j ;ii Apprehensions are entertained by soinro with respect to flax exhausting the land. On this head I would simply state that most writers on the subject maintain it does not exhaust the soil more than any other crop ; nor can I imagine that a crop put into the ground, say in tlio middle of the month, pf April or i early in May, and taken oft' about the same time in July, 0an/» draw more largely on the land than a crop of wheat which is; CULTIVATION OP FLAX. 15 put in in the month of September, and not taken off before the month of August following. The one remains in the ground some eleven months^ while the other is only in the ground three months, and often less time than that. However, be that as it may, if there is anything like the advantage I have endeavoured to show there is in growing a crop of flax, and it is feared it may exhaust the land 8ome\^at more than any other crop, only add a few more loads of matiure to the field you intend for flax the year before, or use a quantity of artificial manure, such as Coe's Superphosphate of Lime, which is so highly recommend- ed as a fertilizer, and your land will lose none of its producing qualities. There are plenty of farmers in the neighbourhood of Norval and in the County of Waterloo, who will tell you that they have sown wheat afj;er flax, and succeeded in getting as good a crop as they would haVe had after any other crop. As already stated the question is often asked, will flax do to seed down with ? This is often done, and that successfully. Before sowing it is necessary to have the ground in good order, as clean as it is possible to get it, and free from all kinds of weeds. This is just the state you are expected to have it in for a crop of flax, when grown by itself. In Ireland, seeding down with flax is often practised, and so it is in this country, i '■i,,iy,>iMt iA, .Ui^jM^^r; M{ Having endeavoured to put a few of the most important facts before the reader relating to the cultivation of the flax plant, and the mode of handling it after it is matured, I will now offer a few suggestions with respect to the machinery for seutohing and preparing the raw material for market. Most of those who have taken an interest in flax matters of late years, are aware that the Government authorized me, while in Ireland recently, to purchase a number of the best scutching-mills to be had, for the purpose of distributing them among the Agricultu- ral Societies in both Upper and Lower Canada. Mr. Ilowan's mill being a portable one, and highly recommended in many parts of Ireland, presented itself as likely to produce good results in Canada, the more so as it can be used by unskilled labourers, and the price, which is some $150 each, being quite within the reach of any farmer to have one for his own use if he desired it. An engraving and description of this mill, together »ft X A I '^1 OttonVATIOK Of FLAX. '^ » ^ ^ - with some testimonials, taken from Mr. Bowan's circular, may be here ititrodnoed i j^ /^^ J | , ^ / y ^ | i tCt V/' il, i; ! ,' . ii <-.i, 4fifi,t M 1 ,•»;, /;»*•>V^i• i.\>^'. '.-jo ;-»/'. ^1-41, ROWAN'S NEW PATENT ^FLAX SCUTCHING MACHINE. In point of cheapness, efficiency, and economy, this Machine surpasses anything that has yet been produced for cleaning and scutching flax. It is very simple' in construction, occupies but a very small space (3ft. 9in. x 3ft. 4in.), and is easily driven and attended. It is worked by two persons, and will clean from 251bs. to 301bs. of flax per hour, when properly worked, in a superior manner, and with a great economy of fibre. TJt«t ex- tremely low pri6e of this machine brings it within the reach of every one requiring flai scutdhe^J ^./i4tAvit> viM li fj r vir.M.; >if Description for Use. — The workman lakes a " strick" of liax straw {uMhout being rolled, or other preparation), holding it near the root end, and passes it into the openings at the side of the Machine, when it is Subjected to the action of the Scutching apparatus. The " striok" is then withdrawn by the opening where it was entered, and the other side turned to the action of the Beaters and re-entered as before. The flax is now partially scutched or " roughed," when two or three pieces are then put together, and again the same operation repeated as before described. When withdrawing the flax from the Machine, let it be drawn slightly end ways ; for, by attending to this, the flax is foupd thoroughly scutche(it> And with the ends perfectly finished — an advantage over the ordinary system. The operation is remarkably rapid, and there iS no risk of accident whatever. The CULTIVATION OF FLAX. IT " boon" falls through the Machine, and the tow, of which very little is made, Ib collected at the buck. The Machinery in bo flimplo that it cannot go out of order, and lias been fully tested to the complete satisfaction of competent judges. Tiie arrow shows the direction in which the Cylinder revolves. The velocity of till' Machine to be driven to say— 460 revolutions per minute for average qual- ity of straw. If the straw be hard and wiry, then the speed to be a little higher, and if soft, slower. The price of the Machine is only £24, for which sum it will bo delivered f.o.b. on any steamer at Belfast, or at any of the railway termini. The regulating screw in front of Machine is for ihe purpose of adjusting tho breast-plttte either wider or closer from the Beaters, to suit th*" various qualities of The onhj ullentlon the Mach'iM requires is to keep the Bearings well oiled. Orders luldn^Ksnd to John Rowav & So\s, York Street Foundry, Belfast, will receive attention. The patentees have great satisfaction in submitting to the trade the following highly satisfactory testimonial from one of the first and most extensive flax-spinning firms in Ireland : — " SioN Miixs, Stuabank, 8th December, 1863. " jjfessrs. John Rowan & Sons, J?e//as^ " Dear Sirs, — In reply to your favour of "yesterday, inquiring our opinion as to the relative value of your Improved Scutching Machine, as compared with the Ordinary Machine, for Mill-Scutching Irish Flax, we reply as follows :— We pre- fer your Machine to any Scutching Machine we have ever seen. The last improve- ment you have made of entering the flax at the outside of the Machine maj^es it very valuable, as the worker can see it during the process, and give it as much or as little scutching as may be necessary. " We have had great experience Ifith the Ordinary Irish Scutching Macbine, and we consider that your Machine gives as good a yield, while it does the ends of the flax in a very superior manner. To spinners this is a matter of great im- portance. " We get a better yield also at the Hackling Machine from flax scutched by ourselves on your Machine. — Yours truly, HERDMANS & CO. • " If you wish to publish this, we have no objection.— H. & CO." tk CULTIVATION OF FLAX. 1 . ■ . . I •. . . ^1, i .. . .. , ■^ The following is from one of the oldest linen merchants in the North of Ireland : — ,, , , ,,,, , . v , i„ ,i, .„ To the Editor of the " Northern Wiiio," i*^^>'ll' --uv ( I'll': 'J '"I IllUt '"• r.l il -);■« ti blU: ,^^■'^^ ■ii'' nvw 'ci^ " Dear Sib,— I consider that the extreme intereHt now taken in everythlnj? connected with the Flax and Linen Trade of Ireland calls upon me to report to the public, through you, the following important facts : — r " I have both Rowan's Patent Scutching Machine and also the old Handles for Scutching or Dressing Flax at work here, for comparison ; and I have found that, in trying the weight of Flax Straw dressed in both ways, the produce in each case is as follows : — " 281b8. of flax straw, hard and badly watered, produced 41bs, scutched by the IlandleH. ' " 28lb8. flax straw of the same kind, hard and badly watered, gave 4|lb8. by Rowan's Machine. ; ;>:mii u '!ii( / fh lit " Second — 281b8. of flax straw, good and free, produced Gibs. 9ozs. by the Handles. " 281b8. of flax straw, of same good flax, produced Tibs, by Rowan's Machine. " This result I have found repeatedly after many trials. Now, I do think that these facts require to be well considered, and that it is only due to let all know that have any interest in the matter, as the saving effected by Rowan's Machine is very important. Besides this, it is a great matter for farmera to have the Machine on their own premises, worked by horse or other power, when they could dress their flax in such times and in such quantities as would answer them, and not only have more produce, but get their work done in their own lime. " Yours truly, ' ' "JAMES FERGUSON. vH t I H 1 f / /; • f. " Newforgk Green, Belfast, January 18, 1864." 7li.-:.i iw; i I ■.! The mills purchased by me on behalf of the Government, on arrival here, were distributed in the following order : One at Quebec, one at Montreal, one at SJjerbrooke, one at Kingston, one at Toronto, and one at London. Until of late, little use has been made of them, as parties engaged in this business had supplied themselves with the ordinary kind. Of the utility of those mills I have no doubt. There is every reason to believe they are calculated to do good work. I saw them tried several times in Ireland, and was present at the Sion Mills with several other parties when Mr. Herdman certified to their qualities as compared with other mills. Being portable and i ClI m wi til til fM U P« oi ni a CULTIVATION Ok' FLAX. 19 capable of boiu;^ worked by the horse-powei of the threshing uuic'liine, and nut rciiiiirinjj; rollers to brenk the flax, tlu^y are worthy of a fair trial. This, I fear, they have never had as yet in thisVountry. Hemp was drosseil on one of them at Kingston the year before last, and it was found they answered admirably for that purpose. To return to the quality of lands best suited for flax, it will be found that on the fine, rich, flat lands in the Canada Com- pany's Huron Traet, and lands of a similar nature in the Counties of Kent, Essex and Lambton, as well as the St. Clair Flats, flax may be raised to any extent. Lands that have been cleared a few years will also f^ive p;ood flax. „.,, , ,;j! v, ,* .^s; > It Avill be observed that in all the calculations made in these pages I havd only shown the prices for the common or ordi- nary (pialities of scutched flax. But it must not be forj^otten that, with ])roper attention, and the exercise of a skill which it is not ditlicult to attain, it is (piite within our reach to produce an article of fibre worth at least fifty per cent, more than that which we are proilucing at the present time. Hence there is great inducement for the farmer to give it every attention in his power. No doubt many will soon fall into the method of cultivation carried on in Ireland, i. e., })ulli7ig before the seed is ripe, by which means a finer and more flexible article of fibre is obtained, in consequence of the oily substance in the stalk not being exhausted in the seed wdien allowed to ri})en By using a little extra attention and skill in the preparation of flax after pulling, an increase of many dollars in vahie may easily be secured. Bef(jre closing, I would suggest the desirableness of every Agricultural Society throughout the Province oflering liberal prizes for flax-growing in their lists for the autumn ; such prizes to be distributed as may seem best calculated to encourage the production of this crop. County Councils, if it be within their province, could not do a more praiseworthy act than make a moderate appropriation for the same purpose. The parties competing for such prizes set the example to others, and hence a spirit of emulation is set on foot, as in all other branches of 20 CULTIVATION 01' FLAX. agriculture, und W(! would not ouly havo niufh larger (jaautitiea produced, but better qnalition. j It in uIho dosirablo that companies Hliould bo formed, as it is quite within the reach of a few individuals, with a very moderate amount of capital — say SI, 000— to start a Hcutch mill with eight or ten stotiks, and ui'tur pr(>paring their own flax for market, a proUtublo busiuesa could bo done in HcutcUiug for others. ' . AVhat wo require most of all Is pca'sons of (iapital and enter- prise to give this matter their attention in cities and towns. In Toronto, within the last few months, a Company has been formed to erect and start an oil mill, which, I understand, is doing a most successful business. Another Conq>uny has been formed for the re-erection of the llossin House. Those are examples of Avhat combined effort can accomplish. With such inducements as the manufacturing of linen i)resonts, it is only a wonder the project has been allowed to remain unnoticed so long. Borne may urge that Avater-power is recjuinHl for such extensive woiks. Tliore are, however, several small streams in the vicinity able to supply an engine that would drive any amount of machinery. If ])uildings Avcre placed near the Lake, sufficient water ccnild easily be made available for that purpose. Another great advantage in connection with the use of steam in flax manufacture, is that sufficient fuel is made from the shivc, or refuse taken from the fibre, to supply an engine of any capacity, with, perhaps, a trifling (piantity of wood added. On a recent visit to New York, I found our American neigh- bours quite alive to this new enterprise. They are entering with much spii.it both into the cultivation of the plant and its manufacture. At Paterson, Now Jersey, thi'ee large es^ b- lishments arc already at work, and some ^.ix or seven hunrt)t i hands are employed. The most extensive of the thre • li,?.-; been in operation several years in the manufacture oi jufi', and the proprietors are now preparing to spin and weave flax and tow, which y^V\ c ate a demand for the raw material. At Schenectady there ,v a^o sevei-al mills at work. Here our Canadian flax ha-; c,', \d a eady market. At one of these [y\i\ \u M I, : CULTIVATION OF FLAX. lea it Ivu osfnMiflliinonts a largt^ (luantity of <• :irso tv/iuo for tying broomH in inaimfarturr'cl, us tho prinoipal crop grown ou tho vulleyH of thn Mf)lia\vlv in broom <'»)rn. Tlion is n(/ r^aHou why fhis crop Hlionld not ho succoHsfully grown in Canada, .lud, from the (lomanti for tlio article, it is w.P worthy \ho attention of the Canadian farmer. While urging tho growtli of tlu; fl»x pinnt, too much < <(nuot bo Haid in favour of starting juanufactorie.s, as it is an acknow- ledged fa't that, from the failure of the wheat crop for so many yoars in saieession, farming lands, and property of evoiy do'- ri^^tioi. li the country, has greatly depreciated. Hence tho py'ator jiecossity for every one interested putting his '^houldcv to the wheel and h(>lping on this important move- ment. Wherever Conij)anies can be started with any prospect of siu mj.ss, ])iuties should not hesitate in taking [stock uuJ encouraging the project in every i)ossible way. Large Compa- nies ought to be organized in the large cities and towns, wl de others, on a smaller scale, can, with perfect safety, bo estab- lished in the country. It is to be hoped capitalists in tho OJd Country, Avitli experience, will soon find their way to Canada and join those who have water-power and buildings, which they would readily turn in as so much stock, and, with com- bined effort, success would undoul)tedly be achieved. The roUoHauxj (»/' Ji(t.v in stnmgly recommended. Only the other day a party from Detroit sent me a sample, stating that his mill will make about 1,.50() lbs. per day from/Au* tow. This is a most important feature in the case, as it proves that the very roughest and coarsest part of the flax can be turned to good account, and although parties may embark in this new project with comparatively little knowledge, by degrees they will arrive at a point that will give them complete control of their business ani'M^' CULTIVATION OF FLAX. 28 that n a ach ■lan- in do not t!''l,' :■ -.'•'! .;t( r .■ •• I.I.' ' l-i '(t '• ■ A WORD OX EMIGRATION. While every inducement is held out to encourage emigrants coining to this country, the hands of every agent in connection with the Emigration department would be strengthened by the co-operation of the County and Township Councils. These might lend a helping hand in finding read}- employment for the emi- grant on his arrival here. It is to be hoped public works may soon spring up that will afford employment to the labouring classes likely to set foot on our shores tliis coming spring. The construction of the Georgian Bay Canal, or the enlargement of the Canals already built, the opening up of roads through the recently surveyed Townships, and the erection of new manu- factories, would be of immense value to this country. Parties requiring servants, either male or female, farmers requiring labourers, or mechanics requiring hands, will do well to apply at the Emigration Office either personally or by letter. Those who have farms or lands for sale, will please send in lists of them Avith full d'vsoription and prices affixed, so that parties arriving here can learn Avithout loss of time where they may be able to purchase such properties as are best suited to the capital they have brought with them. J. A. DONALDSON, Government Eiitii/ratinn A'jent.' Toronto, 10th March, 1805. Emigration Office, 14 Front Street. ■,^-il- )U. i ' I t , !. • i. i i f . iMii 'io B'^fe^^'iaoH^-aa'iUB mm '' i / Mil 'i / / .if ■ ' i 1 rf^lOH'l / id Hj\'>) (TV: ? C Mil. >lJr "••.■•," ■'.IT' - (..,< r. i ... 1 ,*-.l,'. v.X ■i ■H.,> IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. COE'S STTPEE-PHOSPHATE OP LIME. A SUPERIOR PREPARATION OF OROUNI) BONES. A STANDARD MANURE FOR ALl* f XIt» AMn aAHBEN CHOPS. PATENTED 3rd DECEMBER, 1863. It matures Crops from Ten to Twenty days ewlieri and greatly increaoes the yield. »>*« Lands c.vliaiistcd by long cultivation aro made productivo by the iiso of this c^up«'r-l'hospliate. Jt supplljs to the soil tho.sc substances that are talten out by crop- ping. It is in hict 1'IjANT FOOD, and wlien it is uaed the land continues to improve «ach year, and to require a less quantity to producer tiie same amount of results. And thoGliAlN. or VEGETADl.bJS, or FIUJIT produced arc of superior quality. When used on pastures, the cattle will feed where it is ai)plied in preference. The "milk of cows that feed upon this grass is much richer, and will yield, in some cases, fiUy per cent, more l)utter. It gives WirE.\T afirmn- sinlk, so that it is not liable to lodge before ripening ; produces a hirge head and ))lunip kernel: and is rarely afl'ectrd by either rust or mUije. K VR. JJARLFY or ( )AT.S ard equally benefitted. It gives CORN and PEAS a dark green color, and a vigorous growth, and causers them to ripen at least Iph dnijs e/irl'icr. It quickens the growth of TUItNir,-!. /.vq^.s' «(nn/ tl,c jJij, imd the increase of yield is remarkable, tiie same is true with CAUKOTS, UEET S', and other KoolCrops. It keeps away the maggots from ONIONS, and has produced a yield as high as 800 bushels per acre. To TOr.AfJCO the Phosphate gives a vigorous growtli. a large, well-developed leaf, am] protects it from the worm. It iniprov.'s the ((uality of the Fruit of (.RAPE VINES and FRUIT IREES; also of .SlRAWUKliillEfi. and other Horticultural Fruits. Its effecs upon FLOWI^RS and upon LAWNS surpass that of any other fertil- izer. It was AWARDED THE FIRST PRIZE for ARTIFICIAL MANURE at the Provincial Exhibition in Kingston in September, 1863, and at Hamilton, in September, 1864. The Pi'opiietor attends personally to its manufacture, and he assures Uie Public that they may rely upon its quality being maintained. PRICE $.*>(> Iter ton, tn Ixu-rols of about 200 V.-s. vixfit. It in also i»iit up in One Dollar packa^'o^ lor vv^Cnil. Any dealer or consumer wishing for further iuformaiion will please addrc-s a let- ter to either ANDREW COE, Froprkiur, Montreal. or E. L. SNOW, General Atjent, Montreal. CANADIAN TESTIMONIALS.. FROM HENRY CROFT, Professor of Chemisti-y in UniversUy College, Toronto, ami Chemist to the Board qf Agriculture of Upper Canada. In rqjorting an analysis which he made of the Super- Phosphate in September, 1SG3, remarks : " The manure— containing in the insoluble portion, Piiosphate and Sulphatu of Lime — and in the soluble portion, so large a proportion of the Salts of Ammonia, in such a form as to be readily assimilated by the plants ;— must be a very valuable substitute for Guano or other Manure.^' FROM COL. E. W. THOMSON, YoiiK Township, 29th September, 186.3. Dkah Sik, — In the Spring of this year I procured two barrels of your fertilizer and applied it to two acres of Chinese Millet : the result was a very fine crop. I was so much pleased with it that I have manured a field of Fall Wheat with it. at the rate of 200 lbs. or thereabouts per acre. Yours, &c., E. W. THOMSON, President of the Hoard of Agriculture, U. C- Mr. a. Coe, Montreal. N. B. — The two acres of Chinese Millet above alluded to yielded about thre, ( €mpUmt^ JB9ftO,oeO Big,;) Oflfer for Sale or Lea4Be their Laads in the Township of Dyeaart, in the Cotmty of Peterboro', on the toUpwing terms : TowNsMiP QF Dtbabt.— Fwm Lots ciin b« pnrcluuiea at $1 per acre, cm* down, or rented for a term of ten yeaw at an annii»l rental at the rate of 110 50 per 100 acres, payable In advance, with the right of pre-emption at the rate of $1 60 p«T acre. Town Pi-ot W Haububtox.— Town Lots, chiefly h«lf«cre. can be purchased at prices ranging at present from $40 to »70, either ca»h, or hatf cash and the balanoe in one yea^ at olgM per cent. The Town«hip of Dyaart is one of a block of nine townshiif r the properly of tiM Company, situate Immediately to the oant of Mioden. It M Oompoi^ of wtcelieaj farming land. The. timber is prinelpally hardwood, with su|lcieilt plK* ror lo«»l purposes. The scenery Is picturesque, and the air healthy AM invlgorattng. Access is obtained by the Bobcaygeon Boad, connecting with the road to Hall- burton ft little below Minden. A direct ^»4 from Peterb' to Hallbarton Is, however, in process ot construction, and a roAd from Undeay' will, it Is aniiclpated, rfjortly be opened up. DnVIng the past year the settlement has m^de very rapid prof^ress. A Saw Mux, Blacksmith's Shop and t-'uuBca, have been erected ; a Post Orwon haa been established, and a Boakdino-hoosk ftnd Stobb hare been opened tfft the Acccmimo- datioa Of intending and actual settlers, all in or near Hallbnrton. situated in the centre of the township, on the banks of the beanUful Lake KuAog. In the western portion of the township, the Company anft iettUa^B0fnWft«4. «r« ereeUog a School-hOMe, and a teaehet will he engaged this 8|rlng» ^hen a ^bool TOUalMJ be opened at ;ffaUbttrton. Ki8e.xpecte« that n oie|fymiai,wttl Wside at Hallburton before the snnaiier. 5 In order to meet the wishea of many enquirers for Land, fee Company nr« »ow clearing and fenctog^^ a few acres on certain Lots and erectlag good L<^ Houses. These farms will also be sold ftt a ver^ cheap rate. For further information apply to C. Jv BL0M1?IELD, Secretary, Toronio B(u>k BuUdingii, Toronto, Or to CHAS. R. STKWART, Halibubton, Co. Pbtbrboko', Regid^ni 4gent of the Company. Tokokto, Marcby l««»5^r »»f' M » > M t M 'i > iTtf »»f t»» V '>» » » V '»'<'f ' r ^ f f r »f » M > > I i» »»r» « »>»'i n f 0' l'-'