no 



well as by the degree of carefulness bestowed on its cultivation 

 and preparation ; these different circumstances causing a 

 variation of from 280 to 980 lbs. per acre, but the average 

 crop in the same area may be estimated at 560 to 7C0 lbs. of 

 clean fibres available for spinning and weaving. 



The finest thread which has been produced in England by 

 machine-spinning, measures 12,0C0 yards spun from one pound 

 of flax ; though by hand-spinning the process has been carried 

 as high as 3G,0C0 yards to the pound. 



From Bees' Cycloipcedia, 



It has been remarked, in the papers of the Dublin Agricul- 

 tural Society, than moist stiff soils yield much greater quan- 

 tities of flax, and far better seed, than can be obtained from 

 light lands ; and that the seed secured from the former may, 

 with proper care, be rendered full as good as any that is 

 imported from Riga or Zealand. M. du Hamel. however, 

 thinks that strong land can hardly yield such fine flax as that 

 which grows on lighter grounds. With due pulverization and 

 preparation, there can be no doubt that strong lands will afford 

 excellent crops of good flax. It is seldom that either light 

 sandy or gravelly soils answer well for crops of this kind. Land 

 for flax should neither be in too great a state of fertility, or be 

 too much exhausted, as in the former case the flax is liable to 

 become too luxuriant, and the produce in consequence of a 

 coarser quality ; while under the latter circumstances the quan- 

 tity of produce is very small. 



Methods of Sowing. — Where the principal object of the grower 

 is flax, the most general method of putting in the crops is that 

 of sowing them broad-cast over the surface of the land. In 

 performing the business, much care is necessary that the seed 

 be dispersed as evenly as possible over the ground, to prevent 

 the plants rising in an unequal or tufty manner. It should be 

 afterwards covered in by regular harrowing, once or twice in 

 a place, with a light common harrow, not covering it in too 

 deep. 



