ANNUAL PURCHASES OF FOREIGN FLAX. 



73 



lation, to find employment for which all the skill of scientific 

 men, and all the efforts of a powerful Government, are at a 

 stand. 



It is to the indirect advantages of growing flax that I would 

 attract public attention, because they are infinitely greater 

 than the direct. Nor can they be rightly estimated till expe- 

 rience has made them sure. The direct return in money is a 

 trifle compared with the immeasurable benefits that must 

 accrue from an employed population. I have shown in my 

 writings the value of the flax crop in this and in foreign 

 countries. Also, that five hundred thousand acres are re- 

 quired to supply the demand of this country alone. Now 

 when we consider how inadequately the soil remunerates 

 under our present system of farming, and the consequent 

 depression of trade, it surely must be acknowledged that the 

 appropriation of such an immense breadth of land to the 

 growth of this prolific plant would be attended with the most 

 beneficial results throughout the kingdom. For instance, the 

 average value of five hundred thousand acres of flax, inde- 

 pendent of the seed, exceeds five millions of money. 



This enormous sum is annually sent out of England to 

 purchase foreign flax of foreign farmers, to the employment 

 of foreign .labourers, and to the encouragement of foreign 

 agriculture. 



The scheme undoubtedly appears chimerical to many ; but 

 it ought to be remembered that mankind is generally more 

 hasty in condemning new theories than anxious to ascertain 

 whether or not those theories are founded upon sound prin- 

 ciples. 



Thus did the substitution of cattle-compound for foreign 

 oil-cake undergo the ordeal of a vehement opposition; but 

 now the opposers have become its most zealous advocates ; and 

 I venture to predict that similar results will attend the culti- 

 vation of flax. 



My motives for inserting extracts from the writings of 

 others are to show the progress made in the culture of flax, 



* I tried the experiment upon three-quarters of an acre last year, 1846, that 

 never produced any thing but furze, briars, &c. The plants, however, turned 

 yellow at an early stage, and died. {See Index.} 



