WEEDING AKD STICKING. 45 



and even crop, or whether it is here and there disfigured 

 by black, naked, and barren patches. After he has 

 done, as he may think, all that lies in his power, unseen 

 and unsuspected causes will now and then combine to 

 work him mischief. If the whole field promises to come 

 to nothing, he has no choice left but to plough it in, and 

 to sow again either with flax or some other crop. But if 

 the portions which have failed, especially on early sown 

 flax, are of comparatively inconsiderable extent, while 

 that which does grow, really grows well, he will hoe or 

 dig the ugly plague-spots, and sow them with carrots or 

 plant them with late potatoes, with as much assumed 

 philosophy as he can muster. But it excites his most 

 lively hopes and fears to read it quoted from the English 

 , newspapers, that in April, 1854, in consequence of the 

 Russian war, the ton of flax which at the same time last 

 year was worth only from 36 to 40, now brings 70. 

 The plants advance in growth, and the first blossoms 

 begin to appear. The flowers are of a delicate pale blue ; 

 and though pretty in themselves when, examined closely, 

 are not produced in sufficient abundance at one time to 

 have any striking effect in the landscape, like fields of 

 sainfoin, colza, rape, or poppy (grown for oil), while 

 they continue in bloom. The flowers of flax appear, not 

 many at once, but in a long succession. Daring this 

 blossoming period in France, the linier, or " flax-man,' J 

 will arrive, inspect the crop carefully, and make his bar- 

 gain with the farmer to take it off his hands. The time 

 of payment is then settled, whether ready-money, three 

 months' credit, or six, over a canon of beer, or a cup of 

 coftee containing the gloria, or glass of brandy. The 

 flax-man undertakes all the subsequent manipulation of 

 the flax ; and the French farmer's anxieties cease exactly 

 at the moment when, in consequence of his inexperience, 

 the English flax-grower's only begin. For, we repeat it, 

 the absence of liniers (who, in fact, are a class of interme- 

 diate or preparatory manufacturers) is a serious impedi- 

 ment to the extension of the growth of flax in England. 



