6 



DICKSON ON THE 



I have given the outside expense of the cultivation of one 

 acre of Flax crop, and the average weight of a middling crop 

 and quality ; at the same time I must observe, if our Irish 

 and English Farmers could be trained into the management 

 of the crop as the Belgians do, there is nothing to prevent 

 their obtaining in lieu of 8s. 6d., 12s. to 15s., or perhaps 20s. 

 per stone of 14 lbs. — as spinners often give from £100 to 

 £180 per ton for Courtray Flax, and I have frequently 

 given 12s. to 15s. per stone for fine quality of Irish Flax, 

 when selecting as Agent for Leeds and Preston spinners in the 

 Flax markets of Armagh, Tanderagee, Bellymena, and 

 Belfast, however, as the example aa to produce and profits 

 that I quote, may be said to be theory and not practice, I 

 must now bring in proof. 



Leaving the profits to be proved by the letters from 

 English and Irish Farmers that will follow this, I must bring 

 in the production on the property of the highest and most 

 distinguished supporters of Agricultural productions in Eng- 

 land, as to the weight of Flax and seed off 4 \ statue acres; 

 but I shall first offer a few remarks on the great difference 

 between Flax and every other crop grown in this country, the 

 comparative value depending as it does, on the manner in 

 which it is handled after the crop has been harvested. 



I am aware that, in some instances, Farmers have (on 

 choice pieces of land) grown from 6 to 8 quarters of Wheat 

 to the acre, and that such a crop would, no doubt, pay well 

 for the care and labour bestowed ; but according to Mr. 

 Barclay's report of experiments in Surrey, which report I 

 have copied in this part of my compilation, I find that 40 

 bushels per imperial acre are all he can produce. However, 

 let an average of Wheat be taken at five quarters per acre, or 

 say £12 in value, therefore, as you only can differ in 

 producing EXTRA QUANTITY, say what might be worth £2 

 more than your neighbour could realize, and cannot produce 



