THE GROWER'S BALAXCE- SHEET. 83 



and when we contrast them with workhouse idleness, in- 

 doors, and insufficient employment out, the moral profits 

 of the flax crop appear immense and incalculable. But, 

 even in a money point of view, the advantage to be 

 derived from it is indisputable. 



Elax varies greatly in quality, and consequently in 

 price, according to culture, season, and subsequent treat- 

 ment. Before the late sudden rise of price, whose 

 duration and limit it is impossible to divine, while 

 ordinary flax was only worth about 40 per ton, superior 

 samples obtained from 60 to 120, or even more. The 

 finer stalks, however, invariably produce less seed than 

 the coarse, thereby making it doubtful which kind 

 is the most remunerative for the English market. "From 

 letters before me," says Mr. Warnes, "it appears that, in 

 some instances, flax is now realizing more than 35 an 

 acre in Ireland. Mr. M'Carten, of "Warringstown, sold 

 his flax last year to Messrs. Dunbar and Co. of Gruildford, 

 at 13s. per stone ; and he asserts, that by following the 

 directions of the Koyal Elax Improvement Society, he 

 has obtained, on the average, 145. per stone for the past 

 five years. 



A few figures, accompanied by the names which autho- 

 rize them, will be satisfactory to the practical reader. 



The late Captain Grlasspoole, of Ormsby, Norfolk, in 

 1845 sent flax to Hull, which paid him 8 10s. per acre, 

 clear of all expenses. Mr. George Hope, of Eenton 

 Barns, " a novice at the business/' in his own words, 

 grew nine imperial acres of flax. The crop was sold at 

 Perth and Dundee, where it fetched 60 per ton. The 

 seed was also sold at a very high price, the quality being 

 excellent. After deducting all expenses, it left a clear 

 profit of 15 per acre. 



Mr. "William Porter, of Hembury Fort, Honiton, gives 

 the debtor and creditor account of one acre of flax, as 

 follows : 



s. d. 



Ploughing, three times 1 



Seed, two bushels 1 



