290 



cattle, regularly milked, and sold in about twelve months to the 

 butcher. 



Linseed-meal mixed with grains is used by cow-keepers in the 

 metropolis and other large towns, by which the quality of the milt is 

 greatly improved. But were the Gold of Pleasure substituted, I am 

 persuaded it would prove deleterious. Both from mustard and rape- 

 seed a cake is produced, which I never heard was used as cattle food, 

 but always as manure. The Gold of Pleasure, being also of the Cru- 

 ciferse order, partakes of the same nature ; and therefore, however 

 great thu acreable produce, the main value must centre in its use as oil 

 for lamps, and cake for land. No flax can be obtained from the stalks, 

 nor fodder for cattle, more than from those of turnips, mustard, or 

 rape-seed. 



The attempt to supplant the culture of flax, by the substitution of 

 the Gold of Pleasure, certainly must be founded on complete ignorance 

 of both. Because I cannot for a moment suppose that either the Rev. 

 Daniel Gwilt, Mr. Taylor the eminent botanist, or any of these gen- 

 tlemen who engaged in this controversy, are at all aware of the real 

 merits of the flax plant. 



I have laboured in various ways, regardless of expense or trouble, to 

 impress upon my country the importance of an extended cultivation of 

 this prolific crop, with the view of finding that employment for the 

 people, which alone can uphold a sinking empire, and revive a ruined 

 population. 



The experience of every day tends to confirm my expectation that 

 the great cause I advocate must ultimately prevail. 



The following extract, forwarded to me by a stranger, whilst writing 

 this letter, will perhaps be considered an interesting confirmation of 

 the statements and arguments which I have so repeatedly laid before 

 the public : — 



" Cultivation of Flax. — By their neglect of the cultivation of 

 flax, the farmers and landowners of this country have sadly overlooked 

 their own interests. Flax is commonly consumed in this country to 

 the amount of 67,000 tons annually, the value of which, at a low 

 average, amounts to between 4,000,000^. and 5000,000/. sterling. 

 Every pound of this raw material is imported from our industrious con- 

 tinental neighbours — the French, Dutch, and Belgian farmers. * * * 

 There is as good soil in England, for the cultivation of the flax-plant, as 

 in Ireland, France, or Holland ; * * * farmers can, by growing flax, 

 clear greater profits per acre, than they can by growing wheat and 

 barley. * * * The small farmers of Ireland can now make by an acre or 

 two of flax, what will pay their rent for 30 acres. This never could 

 be done by six acres of grain. In the north, 112,000 acres of flax 

 were sown last year, and the calculation is that the value of the pro- 



