38r 



It fcould be the care of the legiflature, to put thts prcclouj raanu. 

 fafture, on which the very exiftence of the people of this country dc* 

 pends, out of the reach, if poffible, of time and chance. To forward 

 this great and defirabie objeft, the farmer fliould be mduccd, by pre- 

 miums, to cultivate flax, not merely as the primum of a fabric, but for 

 the purpofe of faving the feed. This appears, to be a very profitable 

 fpecies of hufbandry ; and, were it generally purfued, might relieve us 

 from the apprehenfions of a fcarcity. I know it is fuppofed by many, 

 that flax-feed, produced in this country, is inferior in quality, to that 

 which is imported. I am apt to think this a mere prejudice, at lead, 

 it is an enquiry well deferving the attention of this country, to afcertain 

 the truth ; and determine, by a courfe of experiments, whether flax- 

 feed, faved in this country, does not afford as abundant crops, and flax 

 of as good a quality, as feed, which is imported, from abroad. If there 

 were any overplus of feed beyond the demand of the flax grower, it 

 might turn to good account, at oil mills. 



Having fecured the linen manufacturer againfl any failure of his raw 

 material, the public attention fliould next be diredled, to the perfec- 

 tion of the inftruments and machinery, by means of which the dif- 

 ferent operations of the manufafture are performed. We fee to what 

 an aftonifliing pitch of profperity the application of improved machinery 

 has carried the cotton manufacture. Might not a knowledge of the 

 mechanic powers be fuccefsfully employed, on the various inftruments, 

 and machines at prefent ufed, in dreflSng and preparing flax, for the 

 fpinfter ? — In fpinning the yarn ? — In making thread, for the ufe of ho- 

 fiers, or for tewing ? — In weaving the various kinds of linen webs ? It is 

 not impoflible, that the different inftruments at prefent in ufe, may be 

 fufceptible of very great improvements, either tending, to facilitate the 

 feveral operations to be performed by them ; or to produce the com- 

 modify, which is the fruit of thofe operations, in a ftate of greater 

 perfection. Is it .not pofllble, that forae niachiae, like the fpinning jenny, 



might 



