flax

flax may have been grown in Ireland during the Bronze Age, and the use of linen is well attested in the early historic period (see dress). Home production of linen continued during the medieval period, but the rapid commercialization of linen production took place in the 18th century, and the major expansion of flax cultivation during the early 19th century. The acreage of flax sown rose from about 70,000 in 1810 to around 175,000 by the early 1850s. Cultivation declined again during the later 19th century, as farmers became reluctant to grow a crop which required so much labour, and which often suffered in the damp Irish climate. By 1900, less than 50,000 acres were grown. The decline was temporarily reversed during both the First and Second World Wars, but the crop has now almost completely disappeared.

By 1800, more than 80 per cent of flax was grown in Ulster, most of it produced on tiny holdings rented by weaver‐farmers. Seed was mostly imported, from America, the Low Countries, and Russia. Cultivation was very labour intensive. Ground was usually ploughed, harrowed, and rolled before the seed was sown, and harrowed and rolled again after sowing. Flax grown for fibre was generally ready for harvesting about fourteen weeks after sowing. Until the 1940s all flax was pulled by hand, and tied into sheaves or ‘beets’ using bands made from rushes. Flax‐pulling machines became available during the 1940s, but by this time cultivation of the crop had almost died out.

Jonathan Bell