36 



and ingenuity exercised in the manufacture of flax much better 

 than he (Sir Edward) could be expected to do, and he would 

 therefore not occupy their time any longer. The whole coun- 

 try was greatly indebted to the county of Norfolk — for what ? 

 why for turnips ; and in the cultivation of that valuable plant 

 now submitted to their notice, he trusted that the county 

 would set an example to the whole of England, and that the 

 farmers of Norfolk would come forward to promote the cultiva- 

 tion of flax, and thus be the means of saving some millions now 

 sent annually abroad. He hoped the county of Norfolk would 

 set a noble example that would be followed by the rest of the 

 country. Let us (said Sir Edward) pride ourselves in being 

 the leaders in this movement, and then huzza for the county 

 of Norfolk. I shall not detain you longer, because Mr. Warnes 

 has explained the whole subject to your entire satisfaction, and 

 I beg leave to second his resolution. 



The Right Hon. Lord Wodehouse rose and said, he had 

 been requested by the President to propose a resolution — 



" That as the soil and climate of England have been proved 

 to be suitable for the growth of Flax, and as the mode of culti- 

 vation in Belgium is a system that increases the value of the 

 plant to an incalculable extent; it is the opinion of this meeting, 

 that the best possible means be adopted to carry into effect the 

 designs of the Norfolk Flax Society." 



The Noble Lord continued — I should be most unjustifiable 

 if I detained you at any length. I can promise you that I will 

 make only a few remarks on the subject under discussion. I 

 confess to you that I have devoted little of my attention to this 

 subject, but I have heard enough and read enough to be con- 

 vinced of its great importance in every respect, not only in 

 giving increased and permanent employment to the poor, which 

 is the chief consideration, but also in regard to the cultivation 

 of flax as a most valuable crop, and perhaps as much as any 

 thing supplying a cheap manure, thus being calculated to save 

 large sums of money. But the only subject I wish to urge is 

 this, — that the whole county should adopt the cultivation of flax 

 systematically; that it will be advantageous to have many local 



