396 



On the Cultivation of Flax. 



these evil effects, having become manifest, led landed proprietors 

 to insert clauses in leases, prohibiting the culture of the plant. 

 But if we consider the mode in which the plant was managed, 

 we shall find that everything was taken off the land, while nothing 

 was returned to it. The flax was pulled and steeped without the 

 separation of the seed, which, of course, went to utter loss, and 

 no portion of the water containing the decomposed matter, so rich 

 in nitrogen, nor of the refuse stems, was economised for manure. 

 It is therefore not to be wondered at, that flax culture got into 

 discredit and was prohibited, more especially when peace brought 

 the large supplies from Russia into our markets, and reduced the 

 prices obtained in war time for this material. But at the present 

 day, by the introduction of the careful system of our Continental 

 neighbours in the manipulation of the crop, attention to saving 

 the seed and its use for feeding cattle, and the striking analyses of 

 Sir R. Kane, making known to us the value of the refuse parts of 

 the plant, this objection has been completely set aside. If the fibre 

 be composed chiefly of the elements of the atmosphere, secreted 

 by the plant during its growth and then assimilated, it of course 

 becomes manifest that the restoration directly of the steep-water 

 and woody stem to the soil, and of the flax seed in the form of 

 manure, after it has added to the farmer's profit by the nourish- 

 ment of his live stock, will completely renovate the land and leave 

 it as well fitted to produce any crop as before the growth of the 

 flax. Or the same result may be attained by applying a manure 

 of the same composition, and in the same proportion, as these sub- 

 stances.* It certainly would appear to be a wonderful provision 

 of Nature, that the fibre which furnishes an article of clothing to 

 such multitudes of the human race, should be produced at such 

 small cost to the fertility of the soil, provided man exerts his in- 

 dustry and skill in following the hints which she gives. I con- 

 ceive, therefore, that the objection as to the exhausting nature of 

 flax, though perfectly conclusive as regards the former mode of 

 management, has now no weight whatever, from the light which 

 science has thrown on the economy of this plant. 



The large amount of labour which is required in the growth 

 and preparation of flax, before it can be placed in the hands of 

 the manufacturer, requires a calculation of the circumstances 



* Professor Johnson recommends the following manure, at the rate of 4 cwt. 

 per acre : — 



Bone-dust (or bones dissolved in sulphuric acid) . 25 lbs. 



Gvpsum . . . . . . . . 10 „ 



Pearl-ash 20 „ 



Soda-ash (dry) 20 „ 



Slaked magnesian lime ..... 25 „ 



100 



