124 



DICKSON ON HIS FLAX MILLS 



over the same breadth of land sown in wheat, and this is a 

 certain "prize ; whilst the cattle feeder mnst take his chance, 

 depending on the whim or caprice of the appointed judge, 

 who may hand the £30 prize to his next door neighbour, 

 which he calculated on obtaining in order to balance the extra 

 expense of extra care and feeding. 



In Flax-culture there is a wide field for the skilful farmer 

 to employ his capital, time, and extra attention upon ; and he 

 must see that, when we grow what we can manufacture, the 

 operatives are thereby better able to be the consumers of his 

 corn or cattle, and the money only changes hands , and is not 

 transported to another kingdom. I do hope that the above 

 statement may have the effect of drawing attention to what 

 must (as the above proves) be for the real benefit of the agri- 

 cultural interests of the country. 



6 'If cotton could be produced in Lancashire, could it be 

 supposed that landowners and farmers would be so blind to 

 their own interest as not to grow cotton, and keep in the 

 country the many millions sterling that the Americans draw 

 annually from Manchester and the neighbourhood. I cannot 

 believe so, for the spinners of cotton themselves would become 

 farmers, sooner than overlook such advantages. Holding 

 these opinions, I cannot but view the position of the land- 

 owners, farmers, and Flax-spinners in the same light, for the 

 latter are at present sending their millions of gold annually 

 to foreign farmers, which English landowners should by every 

 means try to keep in this country. 



" I am, dear Sir, yours very respectfully, 



"J. HILL DICKSON. 



"6, De Beauvoir Square, London, 

 10th February, 1846." 



