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XIX. — On the Cultivation of Flax. By George Nicholls. 



To extend the cultivation and improve the management of 

 flax in its several stages of growth and preparation, are objects 

 well worthy the attention of our English agriculturists^, involving 

 as these objects do highly important considerations, both in a 

 social and an economical point of view ; for an extension of flax 

 culture, coupled with an improved system of management, will not 

 only add to the national wealth by the production of a highly 

 valuable commodity, but will at the same time conduce to the 

 well-being of the vv'orking classes by enlarging the field of labour 

 and the means of profitable employment. 



The cultivation of flax is of very great antiquity. It is noticed 

 as one of the crops grown in Egypt in the time of Moses,* 

 and " fine linen " is spoken of in many parts of the sacred 

 writings. Flax has been cultivated in India and Central Asia 

 from the remotest periods, and is still grown there, chiefly, how- 

 ever, for the sake of the oil obtained from the seed. It was 

 known to the Greeks and Romans, who used the fibre for making 

 linen and other purposes, and it has continued to be grown for 

 like objects throughout Europe to the present day. 



The flax-plant is not restricted to any particular soil or situa- 

 tion, but flourishes over a great extent of the earth's surface, in 

 the cold regions of Russia and America, as well as in the warmer 

 climes of Asia and Africa. Flitherto it appears to have attained 

 the greatest degree of perfection in Belgium and Holland, espe- 

 cially in the former country, where the utmost care is bestowed 

 on its cultivation, as well as on the preparation of the fibre; and 

 to this, rather than to any peculiar advantages in soil or climate, 

 is to be attributed the general superiority of the Belgian flax. 



Flax is indigenous to England, but when it was first cultivated 

 here is not known : most likely in the time of the Romans, who 

 were accustomed to its use, and knew the purposes to which the 

 fibre was applicable. Its culture was probably continued after 

 the Roman period ; but we find no mention made of it in any 

 public record until 1 175, when flax was included in a list of tithe- 

 able articles, and when its growth must therefore be presumed to 

 have been considerable. 



With wealth and civilization the use of linen would no doubt 

 increase, as would the demand for flax, which of course would 

 lead to its extended cultivation. Still, however, it appears not to 

 have been cultivated to the extent required, for in 1532 the legis- 

 lature passed an act (24 Henry VI II., cap. 14) requiring that 



* ExoduSj Sth chap., 31st and 32nd verses. 



