Vlll APPENDIX. 



Being aware that our old farmers were as little inclined 

 to purchase books as they were to read them, or believe in 

 the benefit likely to be derived from the improved mode of cul- 

 tivating Flax, or its after management, by my process, not then 

 known; and finding that my friends, the Flax-spinners in 

 Yorkshire and Lancashire, for whom I acted as agent (during 

 ten years, from 1832 to 1842, residing in Belfast, Ireland, 

 purchasing their Flax, selling their yarn, and employing seldom 

 less than 2,000 weavers, making all kinds of linen goods) 

 agreed with me in opinion, that the circulation of 1,000 copies, 

 free, to enterprising farmers, through Farmers' Clubs, and local. 

 Agricultural Societies, would help to remove their prejudice 

 against Flax-culture, and cause its being more extensively growa 

 in England, and as twenty-four of them subscribed 55 towards 

 promoting the object I had in view, with several noblemen, land- 

 Owners, merchants, and Members of Parliament, who gave their 

 names and influence to the same, I solicited His Boyal Highness 

 Prince Albert to patronise by his distinguished name the work 

 contemplated, and was again honoured by the following letter : 

 "Buckingham Palace, March 17th, 1847. 



".SiR, I have received the commands of His Royal Highness 

 the Prince Albert, to inform you that His Royal Highness has 

 been pleased to consent to your placing His Eoyal Highness's 

 name at the head of the list of subscribers to your work upon 

 the cultivation of Flax, &c., &c. 



" I have the honour to be, Sir, . 



" Your obedient and humble servant, 

 C. B. PHIPPS. 



" J. Hill Dickson, Esq." 



