220 



PROGRESS OF THE FLAX CAUSE. 



riments upon a small scale last year will induce them to sow 

 five, six, or ten acres this spring. 



With respect to the flax-stalks of last year's growth, I have 

 the infinite gratification of stating, that my father and Mr. 

 Clover have off'ered the gratuitous use of extensive and appro- 

 priate premises, steeping-places, drying-grounds, mill, kiln, 

 &c. &c., at Aylsham ; in order that the adjacent crops may be 

 properly prepared, their real value ascertained, and the pro- 

 ceeds returned to the growers. Similar facilities will be 

 aff'orded in other parts of the Eastern Division of the county ; 

 also by the West Norfolk Branch of the National Flax and 

 Agricultural Improvement Association. The East Suff'olk 

 Branch likewise carries out vigorously the desig-ns of the Parent 

 Society. Mr. Brown, from Norfolk, has been engaged, and is 

 now travelling through that part of the county, to afford in- 

 struction relative to the proper preparation of the soil, to the 

 sowing of the seed, and to the box-feeding and summer-grazing 

 system. 



It is intended to locate experienced workmen at the various 

 establishments, where active young men will be taught the 

 necessary arts of steeping, grassing, scutching, &c. &c., and 

 thus a number of well-taught hands can quickly be dispersed 

 throughout the kingdom for the future management of the 

 fibre. I trust that this brief outline of our proceedings will 

 remove all doubts as to the future disposal of this part of the 

 crop. 



With respect to the seed, which I must think is of greater 

 importance to the "farmer and the grazier," I now, in the 

 most unequivocal and unqualified manner, repeat what I have 

 so often advanced, that the cultivation of the plant for the sake 

 of the linseed will amply remunerate. I no longer assert this 

 as a matter of opinion, but as a matter of fact, substantiated 

 by the produce of many growers last year. I am induced to 

 express myself thus strongly in consequence of the injudicious 

 remarks contained in our Norfolk agricultural report for the 

 present month. The writer observes, ''This, in all probability, 

 may be accounted for from the circumstance that the cattle- 

 compound is gradually obtaining an ascendancy over oil-cake 

 in the grazing department, in the manufacture of which beans 



