MANAGEMENT. 



277 



seed was saved last year, without injury to the fibre ; and it is 

 calculated that, in the course of a year or two, no flax will be 

 steeped with the bolls, thus adding to the wealth of that country 

 no less than 300,000/. yearly, according to the present extent 

 of culture : while in Norfolk no flax has been grown without 

 an ample return of seed, as appears in the report of the National 

 Flax and Agricultural Improvement Association. 



The entire management of flax, from the preparation of the 

 land for sowing, through every stage, is, I repeat, work suit- 

 able to the commonest capacities. No apprenticeship is re- 

 quired ; for, by the assistance of one experienced youth of 18, 

 very many can be taught at once all the mysteries of harvest- 

 ing, grassing, and scutching the crop for market. Through 

 this means more knowledge would be disseminated than could 

 be obtained from a multitude of written descriptions. And 

 although I shall endeavour, from time to time, to afford inform- 

 ation with my pen, I strongly advise the formation of local 

 societies to defray the expenses consequent upon instruction ; 

 which once obtained, the fear of trouble, risk, and loss would 

 merge in the happy possession of those benefits that were un- 

 attainable through any other source. 



Except for the manufacture of cambric and fine lawn, flax 

 is easy of culture. It will grow upon any soil, flourish in any 

 climate, and ensure success to every grower who manures his 

 land and tills it well. 



After the seed has been sown, no more care is required than 

 is usually paid to other crops, till the time of harvest, when, 

 instead of being mowed, it is pulled up by the roots, partially 

 weathered, tied into sheaves, and stacked like wheat. This is a 

 safe and common practice, though there are some variations, 

 which I shall hereafter particularize. My present object is, 

 first, to offer directions for — 



Preparing the Land, than which nothing can be more 

 simple ; for, if the field destined for flax has been ploughed 

 the full depth, previous to the frost, it will only be necessary 

 to reduce the surface to a garden-like state, by harrowing, sca- 

 rifying, and rolling ; it being scarcely possible to render the 

 land too fine. 



In order to ensure a first-rate crop, it will be necessary. 



