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surface. Linseed is generally sown by hand ; but this process 

 is best performed by such machines as are used for grass seeds. 

 Some prefer depositing the seed by a drill set at intervals of 

 about seven inches : a practice I at first adopted, but now dis- 

 continue in favour of the broad-cast system, because the stalks 

 will grow to a greater length, and be more equal in size ; nor 

 is my land infested with any noxious weeds to render hoeing 

 necessary. Where the seed is sown by the hand, the machine 

 or the drill, it must not be deposited deep. Half, or one inch, 

 in damp weather, and one and a half in dry, ought not to be 

 exceeded. 



If seed and coarse flax are the aim, six pecks an acre will 

 be sufficient ; but if fine flax and seed, eight, ten, or twelve 

 pecks will be necessary. It will be found in general that the 

 greatest quantity will produce the most valuable fibre, but 

 the least seed. 



A sandy does not require so much seed as a heavy soil ; but 

 the inexperienced will find the most profitable crop to be that 

 grown from six to eight pecks. Observe, if the drill is used, 

 the creases should be filled up with a bush ; but if the seed 

 is sown broad-cast, fine light harrows must be used. An extra 

 turn or two, therefore, with the harrows, the roll, and the 

 scarifier beyond the requirements for barley, will be sufficient. 

 It will also be found that, where the soil has been well pre- 

 pared and cleaned, the cost for weeding flax will be very 

 trifling ; because, when the land is rich, the plants spring up 

 with astonishing rapidity, and quickly overtop the small 

 weeds. It is necessary, however, to remove the larger, but 

 much injury is often done in the attempt to eradicate the 

 smaller. 



The first week of March to the middle of April is the best 

 time for sowing ; if deferred two or three weeks longer, the 

 stalks will, in most cases, be short and of little value, though 

 the produce of seed per acre may equal the early sown. 



The editor of the ' Farmer's Herald ' observes that — 



" The recent establishment of societies in Ireland, as well 

 as in several parts of England, for promoting the growth of 

 flax, leads most naturally to the consideration, how far the ma- 



