261 



FLAX CULTURE. 



Madison, December 31st, 1851. 

 Mr DEAR Sir — Ha\-ing been honored by your request, that I should state ray 

 views relative to the introduction into this State, of some new, safe, and staple 

 product, adapted to our soil and climate, I take pleasure in submitting the follow- 

 ing suggestions, and hope they may prove of some service to the farming interest 

 of the State, in its present embarrassment. 



From the information I ha^'e derived from others, and from my own observa- 

 tion, I am led to believe that the cultivation of flax, if adopted as our principal 

 or chief crop, will, at this time, better than any thing else, alTord us the relief 

 we require. 



A good mellow, pulverised soil, that would be suitable for wheat, corn, or roots, 

 is equally adapted to the healthy growth of fliLV, and especially is our new and 

 fresh soil in this state, favorable to its production. The seed should be sown 

 broad-cast, about the fiist of May ; from twent}' to thirty-two quails to the acre, 

 if cultivated for the seed only, or if cultivated both for seed and the fibre, one- 

 third additional seed should be sown. When sown, it should be lightly and 

 smoothly harrowed or brushed in. Li ordinary seasons, it will be fit for harvest- 

 ing in the month of August, when the seed is entirely and maturely formed, 

 and nearly, if not quite ripened; and may then be secured, by pulling, or cut- 

 ting close to the ground, and after being bound up in small bundles, can be well 

 stacked in the field, or placed under cover. The plant, while growing, is not 

 liable to injury from frost. 



In Belgium, Holland, and L'eland, I have known as high as thirty bushels of 

 seed produced to the acre ; and I know of no reason why our lands may not be 

 equally productive of this crop. 



But foi- illustration, I will suppose we raise fifteen bushels of seed per acre, 

 which should be our lowest average crop, and by a simple calculation, a compa- 

 rison with the wheat crop, and its relative value will appear. 



One bushel of seed will produce two gallons of linseed oil, besides the oil 

 cake. — The scarcity of seed in this State at present will probably make its aver- 

 age cost for the next two years, about twelve shillings per bushel, and the lowest 

 cost one dollar. We have this result : 



One acre, 1 5 bushels Si 5 00 



1^^ tons fibre, $8 per ton (gros.s) 10 00 



$25 00 



