232 MESSRS. GIBBS ON THE GOLD OF PLEASURE. 



shown that the Gold of Pleasure, in comparison of flax, is 

 worthless. But, lest I should be thought to lean too much to 

 iny own opinion, I subjoin the published letter of Messrs. 

 Gibbs, the eminent seedsmen in London : 



To the Editor of the Farmers' Journal. 



SIR, 



IN your valuable paper of the 1st inst. we had the plea- 

 sure of reading Mr. Warnes's letter on the Myagium sativum, 

 or Gold of Pleasure ; and having grown it largely for a trial 

 some years ago, can confidently corroborate what he has stated. 

 Not content with our own trial only, we presented some seed 

 to the Rev. Mr. Gwilt, about eight years ago, and had fancied 

 until lately that his opinion of its merits agreed with our own. 

 A gentleman called upon and offered us the agency of his seed, 

 and we then told him the fair result of our own experiments. 

 We might add that the field we grew it on was a sand, at our 

 place in Bedfordshire. We had a good return in straw and 

 seed. The former was used as litter for pigs, and the latter, 

 at least the greatest portion, was rotted for manure. 



Your most obedient Servants, 

 THOMAS GIBBS and Co., Seedsmen. 



Corner of Half -Moon Street, Piccadilly. 

 Jan. \3th, 1844. 



I had intended to offer, or rather to renew, a few observations 

 on the indirect advantages arising from the cultivation of flax ; 

 but I have already trespassed too much upon your columns. 

 I will, however, briefly advert to the depressed state of the 

 labour-market, the real cause of failure in all other markets, 

 and the origin of those nocturnal calamities so frequently 

 referred to in both Houses of Parliament. Amongst the vari- 

 ous schemes that have been tried, and propositions made for 

 the renovation of this market, the national adoption of flax cul- 

 ture alone offers the prospect of success ; because., involved in it 

 is the retention of nine or ten millions a year now expended in the 

 foreign market, for the purchase of the fibre, seed, oil, and cake. 



