114 



IRELAND ADAPTED FOR FLAX CULTURE. 



525,000/., thus making on the crop an annual increase of in- 

 come of one million or upwards, from the flax crop in its present 

 limited extent ! But there can be little doubt that the increased 

 stimulus which would be thus given, by the advantageous re- 

 sults of improved management in the cultivation of flax, would 

 greatly extend its growth over the south and west of Ireland, 

 where the soil is in many places admirably adapted for it ; and 

 as it has been clearly ascertained that flax is not at all an impove- 

 rishing crop, and, moreover, is peculiarly suited for laying down 

 ground with clover, it does not appear unreasonable to sup- 

 pose that the extent of land under it in this country may be 

 more than doubled, and the national advantages derived there- 

 from proportionably increased. 



It appears, in fact, but necessary, that other landed pro- 

 prietors should follow the example of the estimable and intel- 

 ligent gentleman who has been referred to, and who assured 

 the writer that he would have much pleasure in giving every 

 information on the subject to those at a distance who might 

 desire it; he has already kindly afforded persons in his neigh- 

 bourhood the means of profiting by his example. Ireland, 

 from the climate, soil, the abundance of water she enjoys, and 

 the extent of her population, is probably better adapted than 

 any other country for the cultivation of flax and the successful 

 prosecution of the linen trade. If her sons do but their duty, 

 she cannot but take the lead of all other nations in this im- 

 portant manufacture. 



L. C. 



Dublin, 24th May, 1836. 



From the Library of Entertaining Knowledge. 



There is scarcely any plant which is found to be so little 

 alFected by^difference of soil and climate as the flax plant ; and 

 accordingly one species, with all its characteristics unaltered, 

 flourishes in the cold as well as the temperate regions of 

 Europe, in North and South America, in Africa, and in Asia. 

 By the Hindoos it is cultivated for its seed alone, from which 

 oil is expressed, and the stalks are thrown aside as useless.* 



* Dr. Roxburgh. 



