LETTER FROM MESSRS. MARSHALL AND CO. 



107 



Letter from Marshall and Co., Leeds. — Addressed to 

 J. Warnes, Esq. 



Sir, 



As we import a considerable quantity of flax yearly 

 from Belgium and Holland for our establishment here, we are, 

 of course, much interested in the success of any plan for 

 increasing the quantity grown in England. We have lately 

 paid a good deal of attention to the different modes of culti- 

 vation, &c., of the plant abroad, with the view of ascertaining 

 which was the best, and of then endeavouring to get a better 

 system introduced in those parts of England where flax is now 

 grown, so as to malce the flax crop a more valuable one to the 

 farmer, and induce him to extend the cultivation of it. 



We believe both the soil and climate are suitable for the 

 plant ; at one time the flax grown in the East of Yorkshire 

 was of as good quality as that grown in Belgium; but the 

 growth since then has fallen very much ofi", chiefly owing to 

 the farmers managing the cultivation and preparation of the 

 flax in a slovenly manner, and partly owing to the landlords 

 having a prejudice against the crop as an exhausting one, which 

 would not be the case if your plan was adopted of using the 

 seed for feeding cattle on the farm where the flax was grown. 



The demand for the finer qualities of flax, grown in 

 Belgium, Holland, and Ireland, has been increasing for the 

 last three or four years, and at the same time there has not 

 been a corresponding increase in the quantity of land sown with 

 flax; hence the prices have risen considerably, and we think 

 offer a great inducement to the English farmer to introduce 

 largely the growth of this crop. 



The formation of such a Society as you describe will be 

 of great assistance to the farmers ; and we shall have great 

 pleasure in forwarding your views, by communicating any 

 information that we have acquired, with regard to the 

 management of flax, &c. 



We remain, your obedient servants, 



Marshall & Co. 



Leeds, November 2Sth, 1842. 



