85 



"We would recommend that the first premium of $10 be paid to 



Mr. E. G. Hyde. 



DANIEL ADAMS, } ^ 



CHAS. P. PKESTON, \ Committee. 



STATEMENT OF MR. E. G. HYDE. 



It has been a long time since our attention has been turned 

 to Flax raising ; owing to the prosperity of the country it was 

 not considered profitable. But now we have a civil war upon 

 us, which has greatly reduced the supply of cotton, and caused 

 the price of cotton cloth to be so high that I thought I would 

 try an experiment in raising Flax. When I was a boy my 

 father used to raised it which gave me some knowledge of it. 

 I measured off" a quarter of an acre and sowed ten pounds of 

 seed. It came up and grew finely ; when I sowed it I was not 

 aware of any premium being offered, or I think I should have 

 put on fifteen pounds to the quarter of an acre, thereby grow- 

 ing a finer quality. I think if the war still continues we shall 

 be obliged to turn our attention to Flax culture. In rotting it 

 needs careful attention. I am unable to say at present whether 

 it is a profitable crop. But we know it will be very acceptable 

 when made into cloth. 



METHOD OF CULTURE. 



The crop of 1861, was grass to which no manure was ap- 

 plied. That of 1862 was corn to which four cords of compost 

 to the acre was applied. The soil was a loam, ploughed in 

 May six inches deep, spread on about six feet manure valued 

 at 14, and harrowed it in, then sowed the seed. Cost of 



