72 



recompense for the chance of failure in the subsequent crops. 

 The fittest soil for lint is a deep loam or rich haugh, on a moist 

 bottom, where the pores are not so close as in clay or till, and 

 the strength of the soil fully equal to the food which the plant 

 requires. 



The foot of every brook in the Highlands, where the water 

 runs slowly, and plenty of sediment is deposited, making an 

 annual addition to the soil, carries amazing crops of lint. On 

 the banks of our large rivers, where the land is occasionally 

 flooded by back-water, the lint is generally a good crop : and 

 it is raised successfully, the second crop after good clover ley, 

 which saves weeding ; but this ought to be sparingly tried, 

 because it is a bad rotation, unless a fallow crop succeed. 



In those countries, from which the greatest quantity of flax 

 and of seed is imported, the most favourite soil for this crop is 

 on the banks of large and gentle-flowing rivers, which, by their 

 flooding, have, in the course of ages, formed the richest and 

 deepest mould. This may show us what is its native soil, and 

 where it can be cultivated with most profit in this country. 



In those parts of the county where wheat is plentifully pro- . 

 pagated, the flax husbandry is less attended to. Judgment is 

 discovered in this practice, because both crops scourge the 

 ground : and in a close rotation an intelligent farmer can 

 scarcely introduce both. 



In the Carse of Gowrie, Mr. Donaldson says that flax is 

 cultivated in small quantities, and sells from 91. to 12/. the 

 acre, when disposed of before pulling. 



If linseed be sown, with an intention to let the flax remain 

 to carry ripe seed, it ought to be thin, that the plants may 

 have plenty of air, be in less danger of lodging, and have room 

 to grow to their full size. If it be sown on purpose to have 

 fine soft flax, it should be sown pretty thick, that the plants 

 may rise the closer together, may grow slender and tall, which 

 adds much to the fineness of its quality. Another circum- 

 stance worthy of notice is, that if the saving of seed is the ob- 

 ject, the flax must stand so long on the field, to bring the seed 

 to maturity, that the rind becomes coarse and dry ; and if the 

 flax is the object, the crop must be pulled somewhat green, to 

 preserve its fine glossy quality ; in which case the seed has not 



