2^6 On FlaM Hujhandry, July 



TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE FARMER's MAGAZINE. 

 On Flax Hujhandry. 



Gentlemen, 



The culture of Flax is fuch an important branch of the ru- 

 ral economy of Britain, that I can hardly help expreiTing my 

 furprife at its being hitherto fo much neglected. It is evi- 

 dent, that a cohfidcrable proportion of our foil is naturally 

 well calculated for the production of this article, which is the 

 foundation of one of our firft and moft valuable manufac- 

 tures : and it is truly wonderful, while immenfe fums have 

 been annually, for a great fpace of time, tranfmitted to the 

 Continent, for the purchafe of a commodity which cannot be 

 wanted, that we fhould not arrange our own economy in fuch 

 a way, as to produce a quantity neceflary for fapplying the 

 home manufacture. This furprife will be augmented, when 

 it is confidered, that fa6ts fully afcertain, that feed of a pro- 

 per quality can not only be raifed upon our own fields, but 

 alfo, that flax, of fufiicient ftrength and finenefs for every 

 branch of the linen manufacture, may be produced ; which, 

 confequently, if the different proceffes of management wCre 

 properly attended to, could not fail to be fucceeded by the 

 moil important national advantages. 



I am aware, that the generality of farmers look upon flax 

 as a robber, and, confequently, confider its growth as inju- 

 rious to Britiih agriculture. I humbly believe, that, in one 

 refpe6t, the opinion generally entertained will not be fup- 

 ported by fa£ts ; for, if flax is pviUed at a proper period,, 

 that is, when the feed has not arrived at maturity, it is not 

 feverer to the ground than any of thofe clafled under the 

 head of leguminous crops, and lefs fo than a white crop of 

 corn. I acknowledge, that a field under flax gives no return 

 of dung to the farmer for that year j but flill, under this ac- 

 knowledgment, the culture of the article is not more de- 

 teriorating than where hay is raifed, without being confumed 

 on the premifes. After all, fo much of our meadow and 

 richeft lands may be employed in producing flax, without 

 any perceptible diminution of the quantity of dung required 

 for the arable fields, that I can be under no difficulty in 

 maintaining, that a quantity fuflkient for fupplying the con- 

 fumption of the country, may be raifed at home, without 



affedting 



