FLAX.
Ifushina,. . . . BENo. Lino, . . . Ir., Br.
Llin . . . . Crum). Limun, . . . . LAT. DUT. Atish ; Tisi; Alisi, PAN/.
. FE. Kutan, . . . PEEN. Flachs, . . . . GER. Len, . . . PoL., Mts. Lein, Gum Linho, . . . . PORT.
Linou, GR. Lon, Rue.
Pishtah, . . . ITEn. Atasi, SANKE. Alai; Atis, . . . HIND. Lint, . . . . SCOTCH.
The flax plant, Linum usitatissimum, is grown in India for the seed and for a little fibre ; except in a few localities, it may be said to be not raised in any part of India for external commerce. This seems a change from the former state of agricul ture, for flax is mentioned by Strabo as one of the staples of the N.W. part of India. Linen cloth was used to envelope the dead by the ancient Egyptians, among whom flax was culti vated from remote antiquity. It was grown also by the Jews, who obtained it from Egypt. The Northern Provinces of India, have been producing for years past enornious quantities' of linseed, which is shipped to the United Kingdom, and to the United States of America. The quantity annually exported does not fall short of two million quarters. The stalk or straw of all this seed is veritable flax, yet no conitnercial use is made of it. Attempts have been made more than once to prepare the flax of British India for manufacture, but without success.
Great Britain, in the years 1877-1879, was receiving annually about 110,000 tons of flax, valued about .£4,000,000, two-thirds of it coming from Russia, dressed, undressed, and as tow or codilla ; and in 1870, lf million quarters of seed were imported.
A small quantity of Riga seeds, which hzul been imported experimentally by Dr. Jameson, WAS distributed amongst the peasants, with instructions as to the mode of cultivation. An agent of great practical experience was deputed to examine and report upon the qualifications of different districts for the growth of flax, and a staff of natives were trained by hitn to act as scutchers. In 1856, two tons of flax, produced under his superintendence in tho district of Goojranwftlla, were sent to England, and were sold for .£92, 2s. 2d. realizing
a net profit of 47 per cent. In 1857:8 cwt. of flax, grown at Jeddura, a tract of country in the Kaugra district, bordering on tho river Bess, were sent t,o Britain, and were valued at from £65 to .£60 a ton. In consequence of the success of these experiments, an association called the Indian Flax Company, was establiilhed in Belfast, and an agent WM sent out to buy up flax produce. In 1863 he inade tho district of Sealkote his head quarters, but, owing to various circumstances, their operations wero brought to a close. Up to this, flax had always been sown in t,ho Panjab as a field crop, but raised only for its oil-seed, and as the plants are only 18 to 24 inches high, they aro useless for textile purposes. Flax is prepared by steeping the plant, stripping off the bark, and then beating so as to sepamte the fibre's, from which linen and cambric are prepared,—cambric differing from linen in fineness, and in being-made from the fibre of plants which have been more thicklysown. Linen cloth is a good conductor of heat, and is cool, but is chilly when the body is exposed to cold or is perspiring.
The Burmese are acquainted with linen from their books, in which it is frequently mentioned. The lake or tank near king Wathandria's hermitage is described as being Covered with water-lilies, that appear like garments made of thread of flax bark ; and linen garments are mentioned among those which priests are permitted to wear.
Flax Manufactures comprising twist and yarn, piece-goods, sewing 'thread, canvas, bags, sacs, etc., were imported into India in the years 1874-5 to 1879-80, of annual value up to 12 and 13 lakhs of rupees, the highest value of the canvas being Rs. 7,91,978, and that of the piece-goods Rs. 4,96,546.
Flax Seed, linseed.
Hu-ma-tsze,. . . Cum Sieme, Iniane, . . POL.
LyUnad, . . . . DUT. Lilihacap . . . . PORT. Graine de lin, . . . FR. Semja lenja, . . Rus. Lein saat, . . . GER. Linaza, SP.
Linseme, IT.
The seed is in India produced for its oil, and is largely exported. —Stewart ; Powell ; ; lloyle. See Linseed.