POINTS TO BE INVESTIGATED. 79 



and scientific examination of the subject, and that a system of 

 management will soon be established upon solid and durable 

 principles. 



" The points seemingly most worthy of minute investigation 

 are the following: 



" 1st. The chance of raising hemp successfully upon swampy 

 and marshy grounds by cutting open drains between the 

 ridges. 



" 2nd. The practicability of raising flax upon mosses, moors, 

 and waste lands, with profit to the cultivator, and as a step to 

 their future improvement. 



" 3rd. To ascertain what benefit would arise from sowing flax 

 at an earlier period of the season than is done at present. 



"4th. To ascertain whether the mode of pulling flax above 

 pointed out is better calculated to separate the long from the 

 short flax, and the fine from the coarse, than the method at 

 present in use. 



" 5th. To ascertain whether the seed can be ripened without 

 detriment to the flax ; and if the quality is coarse when the 

 seed is ripened, to determine how far it is inferior to what is 

 pulled green ; and whether the value of the seed will not be 

 more than an equivalent for the difference of the quality. 



" 6th. To determine whether the flax that has ripened the 

 seed contains less mucilage and colouring matter than that 

 which is pulled green; and which of the two requires the 

 greatest labour in the manufacturing. 



ef 7th. To ascertain by careful experiments the best and most 

 speedy means of watering flax, so as to produce an easy separa- 

 tion between it and the husk or stalk, and at the same time 

 purge it of the mucilage, colouring matter, &c. contained 

 in it. 



ff 8th. To make comparative trials between parcels of the 

 same flax that have been steeped an unequal length of time, 

 from two to eight weeks, with a view to regulate the duration 

 of the steep. 



" 9th. To determine experimentally whether flax that is sown 



