PREPARATION OF LAND FOR THE FLAX CROP. 95 



The vast quantities of hemp and flax which have been raised 

 on lands of the same kind in the Lincolnshire marshes, and the 

 fens of the Isle of Ely and Huntingdonshire, are a full proof 

 of the truth of my assertion, and a convincing argument of 

 the superior wisdom of the farmers in those places. This will 

 appear in a stronger light, when we consider that the other 

 commodities raised on such land sell at higher prices than 

 in this county. 



Many hundreds of acres in the above-mentioned places, which 

 for pasturage or grazing were not worth more than twenty or 

 twenty-five shillings per acre, have been readily let at four 

 pounds the first year, three pounds the second, and forty shil- 

 lings the third. 



It will not appear strange that such rents should be given 

 for lands which produce from fifty to seventy stone per acre, 

 which, when dressed, sell on the average at from seven to nine 

 shillings a stone, or twenty-four pounds value per acre. 



But the profitable growth of hemp and flax is not confined 

 to rich soils. Experience hath evinced that they will grow 

 well on poor sandy land, if a little expense be bestowed in 

 manuring it. 



Spalding Moor, in Lincolnshire, is a barren sand, and yet 

 with proper care and culture it produces the finest hemp in 

 England, and in large quantities. 



In the Isle of Axholme, in the same county, equal quan- 

 tities are produced ; for the culture and management of it is 

 the principal employ of the inhabitants ; and, according to Le- 

 land, was so in the reign of Henry VIII. 



In marsh land, the soil is a clay or strong warp, thrown 

 up the river Ouse, and of such a quality, that it cracks with 

 the heat of the sun till a hand may be put into the chinks or 

 openings ; yet, if once it be covered with the hemp or flax be- 

 fore the heats come on, the ground will never crack or open 

 that summer. 



When the land is sandy, they first sow it with barley, and 

 the following spring they manure the stubble with horse or 

 cow dung, and plough it under. They then sow their hemp 

 or flax, and harrow it in with a light harrow having short 



