MR. barker's Flax crop. 



249 



or witliout turnip-tops, according to circumstances; nothing 

 more being required than fibrous matter to act as a vehicle for 

 conveying linseed to the stomach of the animal, and for re- 

 conveying it to the mouth for rumination. Did time and 

 space permit, I could easily show how food thus prepared acts 

 so much better than if given in a crude state. Experience, 

 however, has long since proved that linseed boiled without 

 being crushed, or given in any way except by intimate incor- 

 poration with other ingredients, loses so much of its efficacy as 

 to become an expensive rather than an economical method of 

 feeding cattle. Therefore, in order to render straw of service 

 to fat, or yet more so, to lean stock, the quantity of linseed 

 meal must be regulated. And, where cost is the object of in- 

 quiry, I would observe, that one pound, or five farthings' worth, 

 of linseed meal per day, given according to my directions, 

 will be of great advantage to the animals ; but if doubled in 

 quantity, the improvement of their condition and efficacy of 

 the manure will repay the extra expense. As a substitute for 

 hay this diet will be found equally useful for cart-horses and 

 colts. Thus far I have afforded the best information I possess 

 for meeting the exigencies consequent on the loss of hay. But 

 where this important crop has been preserved, it will, of course, 

 be desirable to mix some with the straw when making the 

 compound. 



Unfortunately for the extension of my plans, few really prac- 

 tical agriculturists are disposed to promulgate their own 

 individual success. On this account I refrain from publishing 

 many interesting and profitable cases. I subjoin, however, an 

 extract from the letter of a gentleman in Essex, with whose 

 enlarged and philanthropic views I have long been acquainted, 

 and who will rejoice if the simple relation of his own ex- 

 perience should in any way be rendered serviceable to his 

 country :— - 



" My flax-crop was pronounced by' the Belgian agent, at 

 Ipswich, to be as fine as any he had ever seen. It was nearly 

 four feet high, very thick in the ground, and perfectly free 

 from weeds. The expenses for harvesting my crop were under 

 one pound per acre. I have laid ten acres in a hovel, and 



