i8oo. On Flax Hujhandry, 257 



aftecSlIng the value of the foil, or leflenlng its produQIve 

 powers. 



It may be argued againft this, that the experiment has al- 

 ready been tried, and that, even with the aid of public boun- 

 ties, the cultivation of flax has not arrived at perfecflion, nor 

 has the quantity increafed much for a great number of years. 

 I acknowledge the force of thefe objections ; but am not fo 

 ready to yield the principal point, viz. that our lands are not 

 capable of producing what is requifite for fupplying our own 

 manufactures ; and that the growth of the article may be 

 extended with advantage to the farmer, without hurting his 

 fields in a perceptible manner. If thefe things be conced- 

 ed, I humbly apprehend, that the want of fuccefs hitherto, 

 muft be attributed to a defe£l in the general management, 

 and to feveral prejudices which have operated againft the ex- 

 ten fion of this branch of rural economy. 



I am happy to notice my fentiments refpe£ling the value 

 of Britifli flax, fully corroborated by the writer of a letter 

 herewith tranfmitted to you ; and, I believe, his remarks up- 

 on the fubjecfl are applicable to the practice of nine tenths of 

 Britain, fo far as concerns the culture, growth, and after 

 management of flax. An appendix is alfo fent you, which 

 fliows the great national advantages attending the growth 

 of this article. Thefe papers were received from Sir John 

 Sinclair, Baronet, to whom Britain lies under innumerable 

 obligations. 



One thing more, and I am done. If, at any period of our 

 hiftory, the raifing of flax was deemed of importance to Bri- 

 tain, it now deferves a greater degree of attention than ever, 

 for thefe reafons : 



1. On account of the incrcafe of our manufa£lures, which 

 require a greater fupply. 



2. On account of the uncertainty of procuring the ufual 

 fupplics from foreign countries. 



3. On account of the promifing appearances of the flax- 

 mills for fpinning, which are brought to fuch perfection as 

 to admit a greater extenfion of the linen manufacture, con- 

 fequently will require a great deal more of the raw article ; 

 and Britifh flax is the bed adapted for mills, of any I have, 

 feen. I am, &c. 



Your, &c. N. 



VOL. I. NO. III. B b EKtf»B 



