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XII. On the Cultivation of the common Flax (Linum Usita- 

 tissimum of LinncBus), as an ornamental Plant in the Flower- 

 Garden. By Mr. John Dunbar, Gardener to Thomas 

 Fairfax, Esq. 



Read March 3, 1808. 



Th e Horticultural Society will perhaps honour with their 

 attention a short paper, the object of which is to bring into 

 cultivation the common Flax, as an ornament of the Flower- 

 garden, not merely as such, but with a view to the profit it 

 will afford, at least to the servant, if not.to the master ; and 

 the interest of the former can seldom be promoted in an ho- 

 nest way, without some benefit accruing to the latter. This 

 plant when so cultivated, like wax and honey, forms part of 

 the natural riches of a country, and if it could supplant the 

 cumbersome yellow Lupine in our Flower borders, the annual 

 revenue arising from it would amount to several thousand 

 pounds. 



If gardening were in its infant state among us, a complete 

 treatise on the culture of this plant might be necessary : but 

 as this is not the case, only what is essentially material will 

 be noticed, with some directions how to prepare the plant 

 after it is gathered. They are the result of several years ex- 

 perience, and by which a family consisting of five persons 

 has been supplied with all the linen they required. 



vol. I. 



