On the Agriculture of the Netherlands. 255 



to the flax to be raised. In the three tables of rotations which we have 

 given on the authority of Mr. Van Aelbroek, it may be observed that 

 each begins with flax and ends with flax ; and there is no doubt that the 

 arrangement of the crops is much influenced by the preparation of the 

 soil required to bear a good crop of flax at the end of the course. For 

 this purpose a surplus of tillage and manure is given to each crop, so 

 that the soil is deepened and ameliorated at each successive step, and is 

 brought to as perfect a state as it will admit of by the time the turn 

 comes to sow flax. This may remove the surprise which is naturally 

 excited by the amount of tillage and manure given for each crop, which 

 appears, at first sight, far greater than can be required. The quantity of 

 liquid manure poured over the light lands year after year, cannot fail to 

 make them rich, and the frequent trenching with the spade, must, in 

 the end, transform the whole soil, to a considerable depth, into a com- 

 post of rich vegetable and animal matter intimately mixed with the 

 natural earths. It is, in fact, an accumulation of humus, which is the 

 best preparation to ensure a good crop of flax : it is not, therefore, to the 

 immediate preparation of the soil for the flax that its abundance or good 

 quality is to be chiefly ascribed, but to a gradual system of amelioration, 

 which has brought the soil into the high condition required for this plant." 



*' The crops which immediately precede flax in light soils are barley, 

 or rye, with turnips after them the same year. In this case these crops 

 are more highly manured than usual, and the turnips have a double 

 quantity of liquid manure. About Christmas, the turnips being taken 

 off", the land is ploughed into high ridges, and the intervals dug out: it 

 remains in that state secure from wet and exposed to the winter's frost. 

 As soon in spring as the weather permits, the land is again ploughed and 

 well harrowed, to let the seeds of annual weeds vegetate. A month after 

 another deep ploughing and harrowing are given to bring the land into 

 good tilth and clean it well. Peat-ashes are now put on at the rate of 

 30 bushels to the acre, and these are spread and harrowed in ; a few days 

 after 10 hogsheads of strong liquid manure — the emptyings of privies is 

 preferred — is regularly poured over ; and thus it is left for a week or ten 

 days that the manure may soak in. The seed is then sown : the quantity 

 varies, but is always very abundant — 160 lbs. are generally sown on an 

 acre. The seed is slightly covered by a bush-harrow or the traineau 

 drawn over the land : more than half an inch of earth over it would pre- 

 vent its vegetating. Cloudy or showery weather is chosen for sowing it, 

 as a very hot and dry air might also prevent its rising. The best seed is 

 imported from Riga. The first crop of seed raised from the Riga seed is 

 sometimes used, but it is supposed to degenerate fast ; and the home- 

 raised seed is said to produce coarse branched flax : this, however, is 

 maintained by others to be a mere prejudice; and it is recommended to 

 sow a spot thinly, and give the plants room to grow and perfect their 

 seed. The flax of these plants will be much inferior, but the seed will 

 be good and plump, and equal to the Riga seed for sowing. The ques- 

 tion arises still which is the cheapest method, to raise seed thus, or to 

 import it; this is a matter of simple calculation, and we must leave the 

 flax-growers to decide it." 



" The method of steeping is the same at whatever time it be done, and 



