18 



same time engaged in forwarding from Ireland. Thus the 

 parcel crossed the letter of application on the passage between 

 the two kingdoms, and safely arrived at Norwich. This 

 interesting occurrence affords a striking illustration of that 

 warm-heartedness for which the Irish have ever been so famed, 

 and is a further proof of the advantages to be derived from 

 our correspondence with that friendly nation. * appears 

 from the paper which I hold in my hand that the same assist- 

 ance and information which the Flax Society of Ireland ob- 

 tained at considerable expense from Belgium, may be acquired 

 by us at much less inconvenience and cost. I will read it : — 

 "The term of the engagement of the Belgian labourers having 

 expired, three of these men are about setting out for their 

 own country; but we learn that some of them are so well 

 pleased with Ireland that they are willing to re-engage with 

 any party, for a month or two, who may require their services, 

 on more moderate terms than those that induced them to 

 come over." — (Hear, hear.) There can be no doubt but that 

 these men will readily come over to England upon the same 

 terms as they accepted fi'om the Irish.* Notwithstanding 

 the immense advantages derived from the seed, cake, oil, and 

 chaff, evidently the greatest centre in the fibre. There are 

 only two specimens of flax on the table which I have not seen 

 when growing, and mostly on soils varying materially in 

 quality. The sheaf which I now take up was grown by 

 the Hon. Mr. Rous of Worstead Hall, on land of first rate 

 quality, but badly prepared for sowing. The next is a 

 sample from the estate of the Right Hon. Lord Wodehouse, 

 at Witton. When I tell you that the land is barely worth 

 eighteen pence an acre to rent, you can form a pretty correct 

 idea of its quality ; and yet observe here is an abundance of 

 seed, and although the stalk is short, yet so exquisitely fine 

 is the fibre that the eye can no more discern the finest parts 

 when drawn forth than it could the floating cobweb. I hope 

 that our noble friend and member of the North Walsham 

 Farmers' Club will order another trial to be made on similar 

 land next year, with the addition of some manure to the 



* Two of the men referred to are now at work upon ray premises. 



