Flax in Russia 
     In Russia flax is known from the second millenium B.C.. Ancient writings speack about manufacturing by slavs of linen fabrics (IX-X  Up to AD). East authors of that time describe slavs dressed in linen clothes. From flax the canvas, fishing networks, ropes, and also linen oil was made. The border of cultivation of this culture in X-XII centuries has reached to areas of Pskov, Novgorod etc. 
Development of the linen industry in XVIII century. 
The basic mode of production in Russia XVIII centuries were manufactories. At this time in the textile industry 32 private(individual) manufactories and 6 state, from which worked: 
13 cloth; 
15 linen; 
10 silk. 

      In Russia it was necessary to liquidate economic backwardness to provide army with regimentals and sails for the ships. 
    In 30-40-х years of XVIII century the wages of weavers made 18-24 roubles per one year. Thus on livelihood of one person it was necessary 7 roubles per one year (1 kg brode=0,8 copecks). In 1725 at 15 enterprises it is borrowed(occupied) 3000 workers, in 1799 - 29000 workers. For this time export of production of weavers has increased with 1856 тыс.pud's up to 4450 тыс.пудов, that made 19,1 % from total amounts of export of Russia. 
    In "piter's" times linen the enterprises were concentrated around of Moscow. From 15 manufactories in 1725 9 were placed in Moscow and district. Then the industry was distributed in the next provinces. At the end of XVIII century up to 40 % of all parusno-linen fabrics gave the Kostroma area. 

The Linen industry in XIX century.
    In XIX century Russia becomes the main supplier of flax on the European market. In middle of XIX century in Europe it was made 347 thousand tons of flax, from them Russia made 196 тыс.т, Austria - 47 тыс.т. 
    From all fibre submitted in the world market - 64 % of the Russian manufacture. However, on manufacture of fabrics, Russia was on one of last places - 0,45 arshins on soul. At the same time in England this figure was 18-15, in France - 9-11. The need(requirement) for a fabric was satisfied with domestic country manufacture. In view of it on soul it was necessary 3,7 arshins of a fabric, that basically not удовлятворяло to need(requirement). On village it was necessary 10 arshin, on city of 20 arshin on soul. 
    In I-ой half XIX centuries manufacture of fabrics from flax and hemp changes, the quantity(amount) of the enterprises is reduced with 320 in 1800 up to 117 in 1860. The enterprises are integrated. The volume of production in 1860 has made 30 million 500 thousand arshin. 
Since 1861, after liquidation of the serfdom, manufacture of flax and hemp develops accelerated. The crop of flax has grown about 11 million poods in 60th years up to 30 million in 1913. Crops of hemp have grown with 6 up to 22 million poods. Crops of flax were distributed to the east. In end I-ой of world War on 1 place on manufacture of flax the Vjatskaja province, for not Pskov and Smolensk leaves. Export of flax grows, almost 70 % of a crop was taken out in foreign countries.

Development of the linen industry in XX century.
    In the beginning of XX century  the linen industry let out production on 40 % from total amount of manufacture of Russia. Russia practically has caught up the advanced capitalist countries. 
In 1913 200 enterprises on which 85000 workers were borrowed(occupied) worked. Areas under crops under flax made 1250 тыс.га. A crop - 443 thousand tons. By 1932 areas under crops have increased up to 2510 тыс.га, however productivity has grown a little bit - 498 тыс.га. Distribution of crops to new areas - Siberia, Ural reduced quality of a fibre, урожнайность these crops was not big. The share of a short fibre - 76 % at this time grows. 
Transition to industrial initial processing a fibre begins. In 1924 the first was open in Russia linen-factory in city of Rzhevs. In 1931 worked already 38 linen-factory, by the end 1932 - 394. The share of a fibre of factory processing made 42 %. 
    With 1936 productivity has decreased to 1950 with 2,7 ц/га up to 1,3 ц/га. Areas under crops at this time practically did not change, they made about(near) 2150 тыс.га. Stability of the areas of crop was kept till 1980, thus productivity for these years changed within the limits of 1,7-4 ц/га. At the same time productivity in such countries as Belgium, France, Holland was much higher till 15-18 ц/га. 
    Since 80th years the linen industry of Russia has not best times. In branch there are many problems: low productivity of crops, poor quality of a received fibre (is no higher N14), weaver's and spinning mills feel sharp need(requirement) for raw material which they are compelled import from foreign countries. But it would be desirable to trust, that all these problems time and soon flexworckers will return Russia the former glory of Russian flax all over the world. 
 

Flax in Belgium
    During centuries flax cultivated and received from him(it) fabrics in the most western area of Belgium - Flanders (Flanders), known from Renaissance. The climate and the relief of this district crossed with set речек - is ideal for cultivation of flax. 
    In 1275 in city of Tielt the first linen stock exchange was based. The stock exchange prospered and supported weavers of this region. Since 1300 the river Mandel was used for reception trusts (raw material for reception of a fibre - see. Reception of a fibre). Further the linen craft was distributed for limits of Flanders (Flanders). Most widely flax started to be cultivated from area of Foxes (Lys) which further becomes one of the main manufacturers of linen clothes. The industry has brought extraordinary riches and prosperity in this area. 
    At the end of 18 beginning of 19 centuries, the textile industry of the Belgian area Flanders prospered. By 1796 in vicinities of small town Tielt, 17 % of inhabitants were occupied in linen branch, to 1840 this figure has grown up to 71 %. 
    In Belgium there were also other "linen" areas. It is known, that when Романцы have won the Belgian small town the Gaul, they were struck with beauty of linen fields and fine products which were made in this area. Traditions cultivate flax developed centuries and by the end of 16-th century of steel the basic indastry in this district, having introduced extraordinary prosperity in life of such cities, as Brugge and Kortreyck. 
   However, in 1850, development of the linen industry was slowed down a little. It was caused by the following reasons. The cotton industry developed the big rates, the trading barriers caused by increase of taxes to export grew. Thereof volumes of export to Spain and its JUzhno-American colonies which were rather important commodity markets have decreased. Also, in Англиии there was induvstrial a revolution, and the Belgian handicraftsmen still applied manual weaving looms and could not compete to the large mechanized factories. 
    The city of Mjulebek (Meulebeke), from it(him) almost 65 % of a labour occupied in the linen industry has sufferred the big impact.   The French and English competitors have quickly left behind of the Belgian handicraftsmen. Urgently it was necessary to modernize means of work. 
In 1846 in area the Rouler the mechanical spinning machine tool for the first time was applied and Belgian linen industry has followed the road mechanization. The first completely mechanized weaver's factory was open in 1860 in Meulebeke. In 1858 firm Lagae Linens was based, and in 6 years and firm Libeco which work and represent Belgium and now. 

Flax in Ireland 
    In Ireland flax станвится is known during acceptance of Christianity when in the chapter of the Irish Church was St. Patrick.He has told, that wants be dead in cloths from the Irish flax. Manufacture of linen fabrics and development of the textile industry proceeded all средневоковье. 
At the end of 17 centuries Huguenots which in the past ran from France to Ireland, have introduced the valuable knowledge and ideas in already and so not bad advanced textile industry of Ireland. The Irish flax has found glory and popularity in all Europe. The industry was concentrated mainly on nord of Ireland on territory between two great rivers Bann and Lagan. This place is known and today as the Linen Homelands.     The linen industry was in the centre of industrial revolution in the north Ireland. 
In 20-th century flax has played the big role in two World wars. Cords, networks, clothes of seamen, a canvas, awnings and wings for airplanes were made of flax. 
After the Second World war, synthetic fibres have replaced flax in manufacture of these products of the heavy industry. However, despite of growing interest in 60-70 years to fibres made by the person, such as nylon and poleaster and to new fibres - to microfibres, linen fabrics and products remain modern and today. The linen fibre mixs up with such new synthetic fibres as тенсел (tencel) and lycra. The received fabric has the best properties, keeps the color better and has a great demand in the market. 
Irish count flax the pride and aspire to not lose this rich inheritance of handicraftsmen

Flax on New Land (Northern America) 
    Occurrence of flax on North American continent is dated 1617, when Louis Herbert, the first farmer in Canada, has delivered flax to New France. In due course, manufacture of flax extended and moved to the west across continent. In 1875 European поселенцы have sowed untouched prairies the flax brought from the native land. Cultivation of flax prospered in a pure(clean) environment of Northern America, and his(its) manufacture on the new ground developed. 
    Two world wars have increased demand for flax as a source of oil for many products. After the Second World war, manufacture of flax in Northern America has essentially extended. 
    During 50 and 60th years, products of flax were widely used all over the world. Based on linen oil (oil-based) the coverings decorated both added with a tree, and strong linoleum became popular materials of sexual coverings. At the same time, the products based on linen seeds become popular at observance of a diet. 
Within last decades, flax remains popular, and progressive Canadian manufacturers of flax are advanced, carrying out all new requirements of consumers. The share of Canada in world production of flax was increased, and in 90th years Canada becomes the main exporter of flax all over the world. 

The Source: the FlaxSite (With the support of the Flax Council of Canada)