FLAX COMPARED WITH WHEAT. 95 



among the farmers who may not grow it, for they do admit 

 it is superior to anything yet found out Jbr fattening cattle. 



" As landowners are prevailed upon every where to lend their 



names, capital and influence to speculation on embankments 



and excavations, it might be prudent for them, while they sink 



their money in railways, to reflect on the state of the tenant 



farmers, while the manufacturers, to a man, are calling out for 



open ports and a free trade in corn ; and as hy this letter I 



prove that a farmer can grow on ei^ht acres of land what will 



leave 172 10s. profit, a sum sufficient to pay the rent of a 



farm containing 125 acres at the highest average price in 



England (Leicester, l 6s. 9d.), it might be advisable for 



landed proprietors to do less in railways and use a little of 



their unemployed capital and influence in establishing a company 



for the growth of Flax, an article that it is evident will enable 



farmers to pay their rents, regardless of the present protecting 



duty, whether on or off. This could be done by a joint-stock 



company, with branches and model farms in different districts ; 



such a company would command the influence and assistance of 



a powerful and wealthy body the Flax spinners of Great 



Britain who are deeply interested and most anxious to see 



an article grown at home for which they have to look to 



foreigners an article so superior to cotton in texture and 



durability. Such a company will not only act as a GOLDEN" 



LINK BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE, but the good 



effects are certain to be soon felt by the majority of the 

 people, small farmers and labourers a class whose condition - 

 landlords should study to improve, for by so doing they will 

 enlist an army of defence, in reality a protective society, so that 

 all attempts in future to create disunion between the PEOPLE 

 and their LANDLORDS would be in vain. 



" As English landowners need not be told that spinners and 

 manufacturers of cotton keep their eyes steadily on what is 

 most likely to benefit their trade, it may not be out of place 



