116 



3. The flax is dried in stocks, seed thrashed, and stalks 

 steeped. 



4. Stocked, stacked, and the seed beetled in the winter 

 months. 



The fibre in numbers 1 and 2 will be found equal in value, 

 and both superior to 3 and 4 ; but taking the seed into account, 

 either of the three latter will be more remunerative than the 

 first, and the last most of all, whether as respects the acreable 

 value of the crop, the advantages of the seed, or the employ- 

 ment afforded where labourers are abundant. 



No rational objection can be urged against the growth of 

 flax, because, under the improved system, every argument is 

 jn its favour, enforced by reason, humanity, and religion ; a 

 system that renders obsolete the clauses in old leases prohi- 

 biting the culture of this prolific plant, and the antiquated 

 notion that fibre and seed cannot be secured at the same time. 



In the preceding calculations the rent of land, the seed for 

 sowing, and the tillage, are rated much beyond the absolute 

 cost to the farmer who would grow his own seed, employ his 

 own horses, and avoid many of those charges to which the 

 linner or factor is subjected. 



Besides, under the improved system of management the 

 most profitable description of flax is that from which the seed 



