104 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



the preparation of it. Their projected canals, when com- 

 pleted, will admit of its being carried to the A4lantic capitals 

 at less expense in the transportation than we can send it. 

 On the other hand, the unfortunate state of slavery among 

 us gives us, at present, probably a more certain command of 

 labor than those states have. 



FLAX. The following observations on this subject are 

 extracted from ' Essays on Flax Husbandry. By S. W. 

 Pomeroy, Esq., First Vice-President of the Massachusetts 

 Society for Promoting Agriculture.' 



Change of Seed. Notwithstanding it is an opinion well 

 established among experienced flax growers in this country, 

 that a change of seed is advantageous, it is apprehended that 

 they are not aware of the extent of the benefit to be derived 

 by selecting seed from a soil or climate essentially different ; 

 and it may be owing to a want of attention in this particular, 

 that the flax crops are so uncertain, and the quality inferior, 

 however perfect in other respects the system may be con- 

 ducted. Mr. Young observes that ' foreign flax-seed was 

 universally used in Ireland, when it could be obtained ; other- 

 wise they were careful to procure seed which grew upon 

 soil of an opposite quality from that which was to be sown; 

 ' that American seed was to be preferred, and produced finer 

 flax than any other.' Baltic seed produced more, but of a 

 coarser quality. It is well known that American seed al- 

 ways bears the highest price in the Irish market. 



Mr. Pomeroy cites a number of examples to show the im- 

 portance attached to the culture of flax in Europe, ' and to 

 justify the conclusion that in this country a continued, judi- 

 cious change of seed will be indispensable to the successful 

 prosecution of flax husbandry ; and a farther inference may 

 be drawn, that experiments on various soils, with seed the 

 growth of different climates, are requisite to direct the farmer 

 to the quarter from whence his best seed may be obtained. 

 Here opens a legitimate field for our numerous agricultural 

 societies to labor in : on their exertions the farmer must de- 

 pend ir\ the outset ; but let it once be ascertained that Riga 

 seed is best in one section, Dutch or German in others, and 

 mercantile interest, if not patriotism, will distribute them. 



' Should it be objected to importing seed on account of the 

 expense, we reply that large quantities of linseed oil are con- 



