74 



MR. SOMERVILLE ON THE FLAX CROP. 



and to prove that my views and arguments are neither new 

 nor visionary, but are borne out by the reasoning of powerful 

 minds long since removed from the prejudices and politics of 

 the present day. 



I select, first, from the ' Transactions of the Board of Agri- 

 culture ' a letter written about seventy years since by Robert 

 Somerville, Esq., of Haddington, in East Lothian. Had it 

 fallen into my hands earlier it would have obviated much 

 trouble^ but could not have been offered at a period more op- 

 portune. He observed : — 



" Flax is an article so essentially necessary to the British 

 Kingdoms, that it is a matter of astonishment the cultivation 

 of it should be so much neglected_, and the management even 

 of the small quantity that is cultivated so very defective. 



" The liberality of Government has, for many years, held 

 forth great encouragement for promoting the growth and 

 manufacture of this necessary article, by expending large sums 

 in bounties ; notwithstanding which^ the object so much desired 

 has by no means been obtained to the extent that could be 

 wished ; the cultivation being still extremely limited, and the 

 management in every stage, both of the culture and manufac- 

 turing into flax, very defective. This is the more to be re- 

 gretted, as there can be little doubt that immense quantities 

 might be raised in Britain with little labour, and that too upon 

 soils where hardly any thing else will grow ; and every part of 

 the management, from the time of sowing till it is manufac- 

 tured into flax, very easily taught to the country people. 



" The accomplishment of an object so truly desirable, would 

 be attended with the most salutary effects, by affording em- 

 ployment for an increased population, and materially lessening 

 our dependance upon other nations. 



" The purpose of the following pages is, first, to give a general 

 sketch of the present mode of cultivation and managing flax, 

 then to enter into the detail of the principal operations, point 

 out what appears defective in each, and offer some hints for 

 improvement. 



No regular system is at present pursued by those who 

 cultivate flax ; and very little attention is paid either to the 

 nature of the soil upon which it is sown or the preparation of 



