t 



TO THE SECOND EDITION. 3 



tically, because, though amateurs, unaided, may fail ; yet, 

 if united to associations such as I desire to see established, 

 failures would be impossible. 



For the first two or three years, trusting to theory and 

 incidental help, I made many egregious mistakes in the 

 management of flax ; which, after having obtained expe- 

 rienced hands, I found might easily have been avoided. 

 But, as it is impossible for every individual grower to 

 secure competent workmen, so is the necessity obvious 

 that parties should unite to defray the expenses of in- 

 struction. This can best be achieved through a National 

 Association, having a Central Board in London, with 

 county branches and depots attached for the preparation 

 of flax and for the training of youth. 



Thus, without materially interfering with the routine 

 of farm-business, and at little expense, the introduction of 

 flax-culture would be speedily accomplished, to the in- 

 calculable benefit of every class of the community ; for 

 who is not interested in the employment of the poor? 

 Nor could the redundant population half supply the home- 

 market with the raw material. This assertion may appear 

 paradoxical to those who never saw twelve hundred per- 

 sons spinning flax in one room, extending over two acres 

 of ground. But let them repair to Leeds and to Belfast, 

 to Manchester and to Glasgow, to Preston and to Liverpool, 

 and all doubt will quickly be dispersed. I refer not to 

 other establishments scattered over England, Ireland, Scot- 

 land, and Wales, in which thousands are employed in the 

 manufacture of flax the growth of foreign countries. It is 

 sufficient that markets are open for the sale of flax in every 

 direction, and that our redundant poor, if put to work, 

 would be inadequate to supply them. My arguments are 



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