THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Hopes high of a bumper supply of Ulster flax despite ‘backward’ spring

From the Belfast News Letter, July 7, 1877
Despite late spring it was anticipated that the amount of acreage under flax in Ulster was likely to increase in 1877 according to a meeting of the Flax Supply Association this week in 1877Despite late spring it was anticipated that the amount of acreage under flax in Ulster was likely to increase in 1877 according to a meeting of the Flax Supply Association this week in 1877
Despite late spring it was anticipated that the amount of acreage under flax in Ulster was likely to increase in 1877 according to a meeting of the Flax Supply Association this week in 1877

Despite late spring it was anticipated that the amount of acreage under flax in Ulster was likely to increase in 1877 according to a meeting of the Flax Supply Association this week in 1877.

The meeting, which had been held on July 5 in premises at 10 Donegall Square West, had given this upbeat analysis on the basis of reports which had come into the association from correspondents around Ulster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One such correspondent writing from Rathfriland detailed: “Probably a slight increase in the area under flax this year compared with last; length about twenty-four inches; crop later than last season owing to the backward spring.”

They added “I never observed the crop making greater progress that during the past ten days.”

Another correspondent who wrote to the Flax Supply Association from Ballynahinch detailed: “About one-fourth increase in area under flax this year compared with last; in general about 20 inches long; condition and prospects much more favourable than last year, and weather also favourable; water for steeping expected to be abundant.”

Meanwhile another correspondent from Armagh reported: “Acreage under flax will be about one-tenth more than last year; crop much better than last year, and it is many years since it looked so well; water supply secured.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But not all areas were experiencing a bumper year for flax.

From Lurgan a correspondent wrote: “There is probably a decrease in the area under flax in this district of 30 per cent; crop looks much better than last year; some farmers have suffered from bad seed, and have been obliged to plough up the land and put in turnips.”