246 FLAX MORE PROFITABLE THAN GRAIN CROPS. 



gold. This flax, spun into thread, they would eject from 

 their markets, by the imposition of " a serious increase of 

 duty/' and, in order to consolidate their interests, an indem- 

 nity is proposed for the losses occasioned by a competition 

 with our spinners and linen manufacturers. Doubtless, their 

 objects will ultimately be obtained; therefore, the land- 

 owners, merchants, manufacturers, and agriculturists of Eng- 

 land ought to unite in promoting an extensive and systematic 

 cultivation of flax upon the most improved principles, and 

 thus render themselves for ever independent of German extor- 

 tion. The establishment of spinning-mills and flax-factories 

 on the Continent must effect a complete revolution in this 

 branch of our trade ; for, instead of being supplied with the 

 raw material, flax would be imported in the shape of linen, our 

 manufacturers be thrown out of employment, and thousands 

 be thus added to the already crowded ranks of pauperism. 

 That immediate danger is to be apprehended, I do not venture 

 to predict ; but it certainly appears reasonable that a move- 

 ment fraught with such important consequences should be met 

 by counteracting measures. 



Five years of practical inquiry into the cultivation of flax, 

 added to the experience of many growers in Norfolk, Suffolk, 

 and other counties, fully warrant me in asserting that the 

 seed alone has generally exceeded the average value of grain 

 crops. In several instances from twenty to twenty-eight 

 bushels per acre have been grown; and when I refer to Mr.* 

 Negus, of Cripplesham, in Norfolk, who obtained thirty-two 

 bushels from one acre, sufficient evidence is, I think, adduced 

 to prove that, under judicious management, proportionate 

 crops may be grown in every ,part of the kingdom. Those 

 parties who recently applied to me for information respecting 

 the most economical method of keeping stock, will now per- 

 ceive that had the advice to grow flax, which I have so con- 

 stantly promulgated, been followed, the necessity of purchasing 

 foreign linseed would have been avoided ; their parishes, like 

 Trimingham, been unincumbered with a surplus population ; 

 and themselves receiving profitable returns for the employ- 

 ment occasioned through the preparation of the fibre. To 

 afford the required information in clear and comprehensible 



