SECRETARY'S REPORT. 57 



years, we well remember the period when cotton sold in market at twenty 

 cents per pound, and the farmers of New England generally grew a crop of 

 flax at a profit, and that too when all the operations of converting it into 

 cloth were by hand labor. When cotton fell to ten cents per pound, the hand 

 wheels and looms were set aside, and its manufacture went down. Should 

 the present price of cotton be likely to continue permanent, we might safely 

 conclude that flax could be grown by the farmers of the State at a profit, 

 even if we have to return to the old method of converting it into cloth by 

 hand labor. But we have numerous small streams of water throughout the 

 State, amply sufficient for all the requisite labor. Cloth made from flax will 

 out-wear cotton three to one — calling to mind our boyhood days of linen 

 shirts and tow trowsers for its proof. 



Early sowing is preferable for the following reasons : The plant is less 

 exposed to the depredations of insects ; the young plant is not so liable to 

 suffer from drouth, and will grow more vigorously as the warm weather 

 increases. It also grows stronger and gives a finer and more uniform crop 

 and a larger yield. The land should be in good tilth and clean. It should 

 not be grown upon the same land in successive crops. Flax may be grown 

 upon nearly all soils in the State, the cultivation varying according to its 

 character and the preceding crop, not depending upon the present dressing 

 for a crop, because flax requires the power derived from the old manure yet 

 remaining in the soil. Of course the better the soil the better the crop. To 

 mix with wool, flax is far superior to cotton, as it takes the best color next to 

 silk. The value of its seed is by no means a small item in its production as a 

 crop. Its culture in this State for the past few years has become nearly or 

 quite extinct, but it might be readily resumed upon sufficient inducement. 



Keport accepted, and after discussion, on motion of Mr, Cham- 

 berlain the following resolutions were adopted : 



Resolved, That we invoke the aid of manufacturers, with the capital and 

 skill at their command, in placing our State in a condition less dependent on 

 foreign aid in regard to clothing ; and when they shall be prepared to pay 

 remunerating prices for flax, in the straw, we pledge them that the soil of 

 Maine and its cultivators will generously respond to the demand. 



Resolved, That a special Committee be appointed to investigate the subject 

 of flax husbandry, and report at the next session. 



Messrs. Chamberlain, Lee and Dill were appointed the commit- 

 tee. 



No report was made on sixth topic. 



The committee on seventh asked and obtained leave to report 

 subsequently to adjournment. 



Mr. Dill, for committee on eighth topic, submitted the following 



Report on Management of Poultry. 



This subject is too broad and comprehensive to be satisfactorily treated in a 

 brief and hastily prepared report like the present, and we attempt only to 

 offer a few practical hints suggested by our own experience. 



In the country where land is cheap, for twenty-five hens, including one 

 male fowl, we would recommend one-eighth of an acre in some pleasant 

 locality, with sunshine and shade, and where they can have free access to 

 living water. The house should be well lighted and ventilated, with a good 

 tight floor. One part should be provided with suitable roosts, the other 

 should be so arranged that it may have good accommodations where they may 

 feed and burrow. To promote health, and prevent vermin, they should be 

 supplied every three or four weeks with a cart-load of fresh loam, also some 



