406 [Assembly 



knees to weed them out, or spoil his crop of flax. We must pro- 

 vide against so great an evil, by using either new lands, or a well 

 cultivated field after a clean crop. We must have no kneeling 

 except to the Creator of all things. In our land we have seen 

 weeding done in the flax field. Our beautiful sunshine days are 

 all on the side of our larmer. England would give us a patent 

 for only a sight of one of them, in the place of her rain and fog. 

 I mean that we shall bring flax into the market of the world 

 pure, free from mineral stains, and in a style of growth and ul 

 timate manufacture, which will place our country at the head in 

 this matter as she soon maybe in others. And I will not omit 

 saying, that our colleges, must now apply their science — their 

 chemistry — to this great work, or withdraw their pretensions to 

 useful learning ; and we of this Institute must not only exert all- 

 our powers, but if need be, pray to Hercules for help ! — that is, 

 apply to the government of this State and that of the United 

 States, for their co-operation and aid. 



The result maintained by the speaker was, that flax is conge- 

 nial to the soil and climate of every acre of our extended country. 



Its Productions. — For seed, oil, &c.,for fibre, fabrics, &c. 



Preparation — Rotting. — 1st by steeping in hot water ; 2d, by 

 steeping in cold brook water, 3d, by steeping in pool, stagnant 

 water ; 4th, by dew rotting ; 5th, by chemical process, new method 

 not yet established. 



Mamcfacture — To crackle, to dress by machinery ; to spin by 

 machine labor ; to weave by machine labor. 



The spinning and weaving to be by machinery equivalent to 

 the manufacture of cotton. 



President Tallmadge then moved the following resolution 



Resolved, That the Farmers' Club recommend and desire the 

 American Institute to provide and offer premium to be awarded 

 discretionary, in whole or in part, for material, new and essential 

 advances and improvements in the culture, preparation, spinning 

 and weaving of flax by labor-saving machinery. 



