HOUSEHOLD HEATH. 



185 



neglected, under the supposition of being worthless. It appears, 

 however, from recent experiments, that all of it, if properly 

 prepared, would produce flax of a very superior quality, and 

 leave the land ever after in a better state for producing other 

 crops. Much of the land lies so near the city, that the inhabit- 

 ants could, in the summer, issue from her gates in the morning, 

 perform the labours of the flax-fields, and return in the even- 

 ing. In the winter, they would find ample employment in the 

 various processes connected with the preparation of the fibre for 

 market. That the climate is congenial, the flax grown by Mr. 

 Wm. Herring, and by Mr. Matchett, in the heart of Norwich, 

 bore ample testimony at the late exhibition at Ipswich. Thus 

 it appears, that Norwich possesses the power not only of manu- 

 facturing, but also of affording great facility and encouragement 

 to the growth of flax. Now, that which might be imprudent 

 for private enterprise to undertake, would be the height of 

 prudence for the combined interests of Norwich to attempt. 

 For instance, no individual would venture to cultivate the land 

 now lying waste on Mousehold-heath, because he must incur a 

 certain loss; but were Norwich to make the experiment, a 

 profit would certainly be obtained ; because if the thousands 

 of pounds that are expended every year in rates and charity 

 upon the able-bodied operatives, were paid to them in the form 

 of wages, for trenching, manuring, and preparing the land for 

 a crop of flax, the value of every bushel of seed, and every 

 stone of flax so obtained, would be returned to the common 

 stock a clear gain ; for the labour, the money, and the land are 

 now lost entirely ; to which may be added a sufficient supply 

 of manure, that might be easily preserved, without interfering 

 with the farmer's soil-cart, or the scavenger's perquisite. Com- 

 mon sense, under the influence of sound Christian principle, 

 invokes the authorities of Norwich to make the experiment ; 

 and if they inquire, whether I have any additional grounds to 

 substantiate my calculations upon as to the future productive- 

 ness of this barren land ? I refer them to soils of a similar 

 description, that have produced fine flax and fine seed, mthout 

 any extra tillage. 1st, From the heath at Witton, on the estate 

 of the Right Hon. Lord Wodehouse. — 2nd, Upon the hills at 

 Sherringham, belonging to Abbott Upcher, Esq. — 3rd, From 



