BREADTH OF LAND REQUIRED FOR FLAX. 275 



I have shown, in my former writings, some astounding facts 

 relative to the value of flax and linseed ; one of which is, that 

 500,000 acres are required to supply the demand of this coun- 

 try alone. Now, when we consider how inadequately the soil 

 remunerates under our present system, and the consequent 

 depression of trade, it must surely be acknowledged that the 

 appropriation of such an immense breadth of land to the 

 growth of this prolific plant would be attended with the most 

 beneficial results throughout the kingdom. For instance, the 

 average value of 500,000 acres of flax, independent of the seed, 

 oil, and cake, exceeds six millions of money. 



This enormous sum is annually sent out of England,, to pur- 

 chase foreign flax of foreign farmers, to the encouragement of 

 foreign agriculture. Suppose the corn crops sent to market 

 were less than usual, by 500,000 acres, the price must neces- 

 sarily rise, and as much, if not more money, would be obtained 

 for the small as for the large supply, and consequently the 

 whole amount of the 500,000 acres of flax would be returned a 

 clear profit to the grower, while the linseed alone would not 

 amount to less than two or three millions. The whole of this 

 seed would, according to the new system of grazing, be con- 

 sumed on the farms where grown, and the necessity of import- 

 ing a single ton of oil- cake be obviated, Also, instead of im- 

 porting corn and meat in the shape of cake, we should export 

 500,000 acres of flax ; and thus, about nine millions would be 

 added to the home circulation, and expended in the advance- 

 ment of agriculture, the renovation of trade, and the employ- 

 ment of the people. 



But the substitution of one acre in twenty-five of the turnip 

 crop, and the appropriation of less than half the land that would 

 otherwise lie fallow, to the growth of flax, would render the 

 supplanting of corn unnecessary, and confer upon the nation 

 those benefits which could not fail to realize the hopes of every 

 true friend to humanity. 



The scheme undoubtedly appears chimerical to many, but it 

 ought to be remembered that mankind is generally more hasty 

 in condemning new theories than anxious to ascertain whether 

 those theories are founded upon sound principles. Thus did 

 the substitution of cattle-compound for foreign oil-cake undergo 



T 2 



