208 



WAGES OF FLAX-DRESSERS. 



" The value of linseed per acre, exclusive of the flax, would 

 probably not amount to more than that of barley ; flax in- 

 cluded, it would be worth as much as wheat." 



I am aware that my publications have rendered me highly 

 responsible to my country. It is therefore with much satis- 

 faction that I can refer to them for support against the attacks 

 of prejudice or malignity. In all essential points my state- 

 ments have been borne out by corroborative evidence, by the 

 results of successful experiment, and by assurances on every 

 hand, first, that compound is now so generally used to fatten 

 cattle as materially to lessen the demand for, and consequently 

 to reduce the price of, oil-cake : — Secondly, that the crops of 

 linseed are superior both as respects quahty and quantity to 

 those of any part of the world : — Thirdl}^, that in every in- 

 stance where the value of the fibre, grown in 1843, has been 

 ascertained, a satisfactory profit has been realized — satisfac- 

 tory, because it is but reasonable to expect that in future 

 years the cost of management and preparation will be reduced 

 to that of Somersetshire, where the hand-scutching process is 

 performed at Is. 6d. per dozen, or three -halfjDence per pound. 

 Should Mr. Gower be disposed to contradict this statement, 

 I refer him to Mr. T. B. Edmonds, jun., of South Petherton, 

 Somersetshire. A gentleman who wrote to Mr. Rous in the 

 first instance, has since corresponded with me, and will, when 

 required, send men into Norfolk upon the above terms, to 

 dress our flax for market. I exhibited, at the meeting in St. 

 Andrew's Hall, on the 26th of January, a bundle of flax con- 

 sisting of twelve pounds, tied up in the peculiar fashion of 

 Somersetshire, for which the men are paid I5. 6d. for scutch- 

 ing. It is said to be well prepared, and may be seen at the 

 Library, St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, on application to the 

 porter. 



An unanswered letter is now before me from Mr. Edmonds, 

 written at the request of a young man twenty-three years of 

 age, the son of an experienced flax-dresser, who is desirous of 

 undertaking the management of Norfolk flax, at 2s. per day 

 when not at task-work." He is strongly recommended ; but 

 as I do not require his services myself, perhaps Mr. Gower 



