204 



complete, re-appear in the form of a pam])hlct, according to 

 my original intention. To which will be added the present cor- 

 respondence, as a record of the extraordinary and inexplicable 

 opposition to which my advocacy of a great cause has been 

 subjected ; an opposition that cannot be too severely depre- 

 cated, on account of the stubborn and senseless determination 

 evinced to underrate the future value of the flax crop, by 

 overrating the cost of preparation. 



In my last castigation, I showed Mr. Gower, that instead of 

 three shillings, flax could be readily scutched at one shilling 

 and ninepence per stone. I then made a slight mistake, for 

 the same work can be performed at much less money, as will 

 be seen in the following brief extract from a very gratifying- 

 letter addressed to me by the gentleman to whom I alluded in 

 No. X :— 



" South Petherton, February I5th, 1844. 



"Dear Sir, 



" I have noticed your movements in the public papers, 

 which, I trust, will be successfully consummated. With 

 respect to the misunderstanding between yourself and Mr. 

 Gower, relative to scutching flax, I believe in a former letter 

 that I stated the expense to be Is. 6^. per dozen. I had re- 

 ference to times when the price of flax and wages was higher. 

 This season we get it worked at Is. per dozen generally, but 

 my own being very long, I am giving 1*. 2c?. with two pints of 

 cider daily. The three men I sent to Mr. Bates have only 

 Is. 2d. without liquor, and they earn lOs. per week or even 

 more. 



"Mr, Bates intends cultivating about 12 acres this spring. 

 He had an idea of paying you a visit. I perceive that flax is 

 about to be grown in Oxfordshire. 



" I am. Sir, yours truly, 



"T. B. Edmonds, jun." 

 " To John WameSf Jun., Esq." 



I intend to take with rac to the meeting on Saturday, speci- 



