78 FLAX. 



portion stretches along the sea, at an elevation of about 

 200 feet, and the crops are generally injured by the winds 

 more or less. The Beacon Hill is said to be 800 feet 

 above the level of the sea, and to be the highest point in 

 Norfolk ; yet it is my intention next spring to sow flax 

 thereon. Altogether, taking into account its isolated 

 situation, exposure, game, backward climate, and inferior 

 soil, Trimingham ranks amongst the most unfavourable 

 places in the kingdom for the culture of the flax-plant. 

 Nevertheless, it has flourished, and repaid, in every point 

 of view, since first grown upon my land ten years ago. 

 Through the use of the seed mainly, the number of bul- 

 locks fattened upon my farm has tripled; the gradual 

 advancement, therefore, in general productiveness will 

 not be doubted." 



The report of the Special Commissioner of the Morning 

 Chronicle (Dec. 22, 1849), fully confirms the above ac- 

 count, observing, " The land occupied by Mr. Warnes 

 does not exceed eighty-five acres, and the number of 

 persons employed upon it is seldom less than nine men 

 and boys, while sixteen others are employed in the various 

 processes of preparing the flax for market. In addition 

 to the amount of employment which the cultivation of 

 flax affords, it also possesses the additional recommenda- 

 tion of being highly remunerative to the grower. There 

 is no instance in the whole county of Norfolk where so 

 many cattle are fattened upon so small a holding as upon 

 that at Trimingham. Mr. "Warnes has at present twenty- 

 three bullocks, which are being fattened entirely upon 

 the produce of his farm, a portion being made into a com- 

 pound, which supersedes the use of foreign oil-cake. The 

 bullocks are seldom kept in the boxes more than six 

 months ; and by the adoption of this plan he is enabled 

 to secure a double return in the year. The value of the 

 manure from the cattle, and the increased fertility ob- 

 tained thereby, show the immense fund of employment 

 which would be given by the extensive cultivation of flax. 

 If the growth of the plant can produce elsewhere results 

 similar to those which I have witnessed at Trimingham, 



