INTRODUCTION OF THE FLAX CROP. 33 



soil, which was not applied by the occupier. I must now call 

 your attention to the wrought flax, a specimen from my last 

 year's crop. It was brought to the state in which you now 

 see it in Yorkshire. Mr. Burton, from that county, paid me 

 a passing visit last summer, to examine my crops of linseed 

 with others in the neighbourhood. He expressed himself 

 surprised and gratified at what he had seen, and strongly 

 advised us to persevere in our attempts ; and as a proof of his 

 sincerity, he took back in the same steam-packet with himself 

 a bundle of flax-stalks, had it prepared, and sent to this 

 meeting for general inspection. I lately had some conver- 

 sation with Mr. Pierce, a very intelligent gentleman, who 

 is at the present time residing at Norwich, and is, I believe, 

 an assistant tithe-commissioner. From the observations made 

 of our soil, and from long experience, he emphatically declared 

 that we ought to turn our attention to the cultivation of flax, 

 and, could he attend our meeting, he would strongly enforce 

 the subject upon our attention. Gentlemen, possessing as we 

 do a soil and climate equal to any part of the world for the 

 cultivation of flax, and this crop being prized by foreigners 

 so much above all others, and termed their golden crop, I 

 can see no earthly objection to our striving for a little of that 

 precious commodity ourselves, instead of allowing the Belgians 

 to line their purses at our expense. There is one subject to 

 which I have but slightly alluded, namely, to the employ- 

 ment which the cultivation of flax would afford the poor, than 

 which a greater or more important object cannot engage the 

 minds of men. The noblest epithet bestowed on man is that 

 of Patriot ; but can he be called a lover of his country who 

 neglects the interests of the poor? I make not these obser- 

 vations to court popular applause — I disdain it — indeed how 

 can I, in advocating the finding employment for the poor, fail 

 of being benefited myself? If my advice is adopted with 

 respect to the cattle-compound, I am sure of reaping a decided 

 advantage in the higher price of corn. With respect to the 

 growth of flax, I am sure for every shilling I put into the 

 poor man's pocket, ten will be returned to my own. Useful 

 and ^honest occupation for the labouring hand may almost be 

 considered at this time the nation's desideratum. And yet I 



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