About the same time Mr. Hutcheson obtained a pa- 

 tent for compressing into cake linseed-oil with the meal 

 of barley, or that of beans, peas, &c. ; as did also Mr. 

 Hill for the meal of linseed baked with similar ingre- 

 dients. Both attempts, being complicated and expen- 

 sive, failed to reward the projectors, or to confer any 

 benefit upon the community : for baking, pressing, and 

 forming into shapes are superfluous operations, deterio- 

 rating, instead of contributing, to the fattening properties 

 of the materials. 



I had myself a large oven and steam-apparatus erected 

 for cooking roots, &c. ; but discontinued their use in 

 favour of boiling and scalding, these being more simple 

 and better adapted to every grade of farmer. As yet I 

 have seen nothing so effective and economical as an iron 

 copper. 



Since this Preface was commenced twelve months 

 have elapsed, and additional opportunities been afforded 

 me of ascertaining the results of experiments, the omis- 

 sion of which would have rendered my work incom- 

 plete. I resume my pen, therefore, not to enforce un- 

 tried theories, but to record authenticated facts. 



If I had ever any solid reasons for promulgating my 

 plans," those reasons are rendered doubly urgent at the 

 present crisis. The repeal of the corn-laws is insisted 

 upon by the League, with all the art that human in- 

 genuity can devise, and with all the power that money 

 can command ; while agriculturists, formed into pro- 

 tective associations, are equally determined to uphold 

 the existing duties. Whatever may be the result of the 

 conflict, it is evident that farmers who have adopted 

 the cultivation of flax, the fattening of cattle upon native 



