247 



linseed per acre were sown ; a drop in the ocean compared to 

 the quantity required ! ! But whether 10 lbs. or 160, the proper 

 proportion for the soil and high condition described, were sown, 

 is immaterial; since the nine and twelve -inch drilled rows 

 sufficiently account for the deficiency on the one hand, and the 

 inferiority of the stalks on the other. That Mr. Taylor, a 

 Fellow of the Linnean Society, an eminent chemist and a 

 botanist, should have so little understood the nature and 

 properties of the inestimable flax-plant, is a striking illustra- 

 tion of the incompetency of chemists to regulate the operations 

 of practical farmers. 



Again, Mr. Taylor observes, " The land it was grown upon 

 will take several years to bring it to its original state ;" an 

 assertion which, with the soil, manuring, hoeing, and treat- 

 ment described, is at variance with the experience of flax- 

 growers ; and ought, before hazarded, to have been tested by 

 a succeeding crop. 



In attempting to prove too much, Mr. Taylor defeated his 

 own aim in the first instance ; while, in the second, he is equally 

 unsuccessful ; for, as his Gold of Pleasure was harvested in the 

 last week in July, and the land sown with turnips, so was my 

 flax, and the same field is now producing turnips. Mr. Taylor 

 adds, " The Gold of Pleasure may be again sown after the first 

 crop in July ;" whereas, another field of my own produced a 

 second crop of flax, which was fed off" with horses and sheep, and 

 is now with wheat. And here I think it right to observe, 

 that, three years ago, I sowed about four bushels of flax-seed 

 in the latter end of August, upon two acres of land which had 

 failed with turnips, and obtained an excellent crop of green 

 feed, which was mowed and given to the horses in October and 

 November following, A striking instance of the rapid growth 

 and multitudinous properties of this extraordinary plant ! ! 



Mr, Taylor concludes his letter by informing us, that the 

 "Bubble scheme of growing linseed or flax in England is 

 unfortunately exploded, and that its former warm supporters 

 would now blush to examine the misrepresentations with which 

 they have attempted to deceive the public." The meaning of 

 " unfortunately,'' I do not comprehend ; for the sooner all decep- 

 tive schemes are frustrated the better. Happily for the 



