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sowing will thus be made. Of course, the inquiring 

 traveller will bring back with him models of the requisite 

 tools, or better even, the tools themselves ; for though 

 some of them are cumbersome and heavy, none are ex- 

 pensive. It will then be a work of real kindness to call 

 in the aid of a few handy lads ; to make them, even at 

 spare hours and over-time, assist in and amuse them- 

 selves by the broadcast sowing, the weeding, the pluck- 

 ing, the steeping, the drying, and the scutching. If then 

 some dame could be found to comb and spin it, and send 

 the thread, after due home preparation, to the weaver, a 

 sheet or a tablecloth would be produced by playwork, 

 and as a mere amusement, which might turn out a price- 

 less lesson. Young people are often induced to divert 

 themselves by keeping silkworms, growing tobacco, or 

 raising other produce, which from its nature in respect 

 to our climate can never become really and profitably 

 indigenous, although it may be grown or kept alive. But 

 flax is most suitable to the British Isles ; and nothing 

 but neglect and forgetfulness (which we believe will soon 

 be dissipated by the all-powerful force of pecuniary 

 interest) have prevented us from cultivating the very crop 

 which is indisputably the most remunerative that can be 

 grown within the range of the temperate zone. Had 

 Cobbett patronized flax with the same ability with w r hich 

 he advocated Indian corn and acacia timber, the proba- 

 bility is that his name would now be revered as a real 

 benefactor to the country labourer. It is true that diffi- 

 culties stand in the way ; but none such as may not be 

 overcome with a little persevering energy. 



"Hand-scutching," says Mr. "Warnes, "ranks amongst 

 the heaviest of manual operations ; and few comparatively 

 become expert, or able to sustain the labour, unless 

 initiated in early life. The required instruction, upon 

 which success mainly depends, must be conveyed by 

 those who can earn a livelihood by their own hands 

 before they attempt to teach others the use of theirs. It 

 was only by the force of example alone that the Norfolk 

 youths hereabouts acquired remunerative wages. "We at 



