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It may be proper to observe here that the introduction of 

 the two-handed wheel, hardly known as yet in any part of this 

 county, would contribute perhaps more than anything, to the 

 speedy increase of our flax crops. This simple machine, now 

 common in other parts of Scotland, would enable the same 

 number of hands to spin the double of what they do at pre- 

 sent, so that there would be a call for raising a double quan- 

 tity, one-half of which would fall to be added to our present 

 exportation, and bring a large yearly revenue to the county, 

 besides enabling the poor to earn twice as much by spinning 

 as they do at present. A small premium to the first, second, 

 and third, who should use these wheels in any parish might 

 have a good effect. After that, we may, perhaps, as in other 

 places, go a step further, and think of spinning lint in a still 

 greater quantity by the use of water machinery, which is now 

 made to spin flax as well as wool and cotton. 



Agriculture of the County of Somerset. By John 

 BiLLINGSLEY, Esq. 



In the rich fertile country extending from Wincanton 

 through Yeovil to Crewkerne, flax and hemp are cultivated in 

 great abundance, the value of which is in proportion to the 

 skill and spirit with which it is cultivated. 



A crop of flax greatly depends both on the management of 

 the land previous to sowing, and on the goodness of the seed. 



To raise it to advantage it should be sown on new broke-up 

 ground, ploughed once, and the surface hacked. It should be 

 harrowed once before sowing, and twice after. Seed imported 

 from Riga, and sold at about 14*. the bushel, is to be pre- 

 ferred ; and the produce for two or three years may, without 

 change, be sown again ; April and the beginning of May are 

 the months for sowing, and the quantity two bushels aud a 

 half per acre. 



The great damage done to flax in its growth is by weeds; 

 and if those people you employ to weed it be not careful, they 

 may do more harm with their feet than their hands can do 

 good. At any rate, the weeds must not be suffered to get 



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