119 



to 30/. per acre in the best cultivated districts, independent of 

 the seed, which is worth 51. or 6/. more. In other ])arts the 

 crop is of much less value, being rated at 121. per acre only. 

 French and Brabant merchants deal extensively with the 

 Flemings for flax : they purchase it as soon as the se> d is 

 thrashed, and prepare it for exportation at their own expense ; 

 so that the profit of an acre of flax to Flemish farmers must 

 be considerable, and may well be termed their "golden crop." 



The offal was once highly appreciated in this country as 

 linseed-cake for fattening cattle ; but, in consequence of the 

 demand becoming greater than the supply, a spurious descrip- 

 tion of cake was palmed upon the agriculturists, who now, 

 perceiving the imposition, hold it in less estimation. 



A society for the improvement of the growth and prepara- 

 tion of flax has recently been formed at Belfast, in Ireland, 

 which promises to be of great benefit. The origin of this 

 Society is somewhat remarkable. The Belgian government 

 having it in contemplation to impose an increased duty upon 

 the export of flax, sent a deputation, consisting of a member 

 of the Belgian Senate, two members of the Chamber of Repre- 

 sentatives, a banker, and an intelligent merchant, to inspect 

 the establishments of the leading manufactories of England, 

 Scotland, and Ireland. They were surprised at the specimens 

 of flax submitted to their inspection, which they considered 

 our inferior mode of culture incapable of producmg. Hence 

 they discovered that we only required the Belgian care in 

 preparing the land to render us independent of any other 

 country for flax of the finest description. The Commissioners 

 returned, delivered their report, and nothing more was heard 

 of the proposed duty. The Irish, however, formed the above- 

 mentioned Association, followed the example of their foreign 

 visitors, and despatched a deputation to the Belgians to in- 

 quire into their superior mode of cultivation, to engage 

 experienced workmen to settle in Ireland and instruct them 

 in their art. 



The climate of this country is less humid than that of 

 Ireland. And, if we look at our vast and varied resources, 

 at the immense importations of flax by our manufac- 

 turers, of linsccd-oil by our merchants, and of oil-cake by our 



