OF FLAX IN INDIA, 165 
thrown away; and others, such as Hibiscus cannabinus and 
Crotolaria juncea, are cultivated almost in the same field, for the 
very products which this would yield. It seems, therefore, 
worthy of experiment whether a valuable product might not be 
added to the agriculturist’s profits, without much additional 
expense.” 
And again, in the year 1840, the Author called attention 
to this subject, im his ‘ Essay on the Productive Resources of 
India.’ 
In the year 1839, moreover, a Company was established, by 
the influence of Mr. A. Rogers, at one time one of the Sheriffs 
of London, expressly for the growth of Flax in India. Money 
was subscribed ; a Belgian cultivator and a Belgian preparer 
of Flax were sent out to Bengal, with both Riga and Dutch 
seed, and all the tools which are employed in the culture 
and preparation of Flax in Europe. A pamphlet, moreover, was 
published, in which full directions were given for the culture 
and preparation of Flax, and illustrated with figures of the 
various tools employed for this purpose. The subject was 
warmly taken up by the Agricultural Society of India, and a 
small committee appointed of members who took a special 
interest in the subject. 
The directions of the Irish Flax Society were printed in 
their ‘ Proceedings,’ as well as those of Mr. Andrews from the 
‘Northern Whig.’ Translations of plain directions were made 
into the vernacular languages, which, as well as models of the 
tools, were distributed. The Gold Medal of the Society was 
offered for the production of a large quantity of Flax, and 
smaller prizes for the natives. Experiments were made by 
several members of the Society, in different parts of the Bengal 
Presidency, as well as by the Belgian Farmers. 
Specimens of the Flax produced having been sent to Calcutta, 
comparisons were instituted between the samples produced by 
different individuals, and those from European and from indi- 
genous seed. Mr. Deneef, the Belgian farmer, pronounced the 
samples worth from £44 to £60 a ton; and some that was pro- 
duced from country seed and heckled, was thought worth £66 
aton. Some of the specimens sent to Liverpool, were valued 
at from £30 to £45; and those which were forwarded to me 
by the Secretary of the Agricultural Society, were pronounced 
