I 



39 



land. These are not the only benefits to be derived from the 

 cultivation of flax. What to every good heart must seem most 

 desirable, and must rejoice at is, its providing employment for 

 the poor. You have heard of flax being manufactured in this 

 county, and this must employ a great number of hands ; and 

 there can be no one who is not delighted that a profitable 

 means of employ for the poor has been discovered. I feel sure 

 that I need say no more to recommend the cultivation of flax, 

 but as I have been alluded to by Mr. Warnes, who has shown 

 a sample of flax in straw, grown on poor land, I wish to say 

 that what Mr. Warnes has stated is perfectly correct in regard 

 to the land being almost worthless. The land from which it 

 came is of the worst description, as it has never been manured, 

 and has been generally under water. I hold in my hand a 

 specimen of flax produced from similar straw, and this has 

 been produced by some men in the parish of Lopham, and 

 according to what a gentleman present has stated, it is worth 

 from 55/. per ton. This would buy the land many times over. 

 There can be no doubt that the growth of flax must pay better 

 if cultivated according to the best rules and on the most modern 

 principles. There can be no doubt that this is done in foreign 

 countries. The best method should therefore be adopted at 

 the outset, as it will be of no use to go on blundering from one 

 error to another. The object of the Society will be best carried 

 out by employing competent, able, and efficient instructors, 

 those who fully understand the business ; and it is therefore 

 proposed to engage a competent person to give instruction in 

 the various details. I will, therefore, move — 



" That as the objects of the Society will be best promoted by 

 the employment of a competent instructor in the growth and 

 manufacture of flax, a fund be raised by donations and annual 

 subscriptions for that purpose." 



E. WoDEHOusE, Esq., M.P., in seconding the motion, did 

 not intend to enter into the subject at any length. Having re- 

 ceived a letter requesting him to ascertain, by application to 

 the Board of Trade, the amount and real value of foreign oil- 

 cake consumed annually in this country, he had written to Mr. 

 Gladstone for information on the subject, but in consequence 



