Cultivation and Proper Blanagement of Flax. 181 



fattening- properties. This distinguished Agricultural chemist 

 also speaks highly of it as a food for milch-cows. 



The experience of English and continental feeders thus confirms 

 the opinion which I first expressed on the strength of an analysis 

 with some degree of diffidence, and leaves no doubt of the fact 

 that in palm-kernel meal we possess a most valuable and 

 economical addition to the list of feeding- stuffs. 



11, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, E.C. 



XV. — On the Cultivation and Proper Manarjement of Flax. By the 

 Rev. Nathaniel M. Beown, 



Prize Essay. 



The climate of Great Britain and Ireland is very variable, and a 

 superabundance of rain in both countries often renders the 

 labours of the husbandman unremunerative. In Ireland, particu- 

 larly, the four years ending with 1863, were almost continuously 

 wet, and, as a natural consequence, the white-crop harvests have 

 been very deficient both in quantity and quality. The dampness 

 of our atmosphere arising from our insular position (a feature 

 in the climate which is supposed to be latterly on the increase) 

 has long ago convinced us in Ireland that we cannot compete suc- 

 cessfully with dryer and warmer countries in the production of 

 cereals, and especially wheat ; and has frequently induced the 

 inquiry, Would it not be wiser for the farmers to restrict the 

 growth of wheat, and try a larger annual acreage of those crops 

 which are better adapted to our climate ? Within the last few years 

 this question has not only often been put, but an affirmative 

 answer has been given, and straightway acted upon. To such a 

 climate, Flax has been found to be remarkably well adapted ; 

 and the farmers of the north of Ireland have more than com- 

 pensated themselves for the recent failure of their cereals in this 

 respect, by the extensive cultivation of this valuable crop. In 

 Ireland alone, during the year 1863, it has been computed that 

 no less thanybjtr millions sterlinr/ have been raised by the growth 

 of flax ; a ready sale at good prices having been obtained in all 

 the market towns of Ulster. From the growing demand occa- 

 sioned both by the scarcity of cotton (which is likely to be felt 

 for years to come), and the preference now given to linen, it is 

 more than probable that high prices may long continue. For 

 some years past, no crop in Great Britain or Ireland has given as 



