468 



Oil the Cultivation of Flax. 



I have thus endeavoured, in the terms prescribed by the Society, 

 to state the reasons in favour of extending the growth of flax in 

 this country," and to explain the "most approved method of culti- 

 vating the plant," and ''^ preparing the flax for market." I have 

 likewise shown that the seed may be preserved without injury to the 

 fibre, and have endeavoured to point out the way in which the seed 

 may be most profitably applied by the farmer and if the directions 

 herein given be judiciously carried out, the result under each of 

 these heads can, I think, hardly fail of proving satisfactory. 



It must, nevertheless, be admitted that written directions, how- 

 ever accurate and precise, are not the most perfect guides in 

 matters of this nature, neither are they always sufficient without 

 other aid. Some instruction in a practical form is frequently 

 necessary for giving a practical knowledge of subjects like the 

 present, and this can only be imparted by practical teachers. 



The Irish Flax Improvement Society were aware of this, and 

 resorted to the only remedy, by employing trained instructors. 

 These, in the first instance, they obtained from Belgium, and 

 afterwards they sent young men to that country to be instructed 

 in all the operations connected with the growth and preparation 

 of flax, who on their return instructed others ; and the conse- 

 quence of this proceeding is, that not only has the quantity grown 

 in Ireland been greatly increased, so as in 1845 to amount to the 

 estimated value of 1,750,000/. ;* but Irish flax, instead of being 

 as heretofore coarse and inferior, has, within the last six years, 

 become equal in quality to the Belgian flax, excepting perhaps 

 the very finest sort, of which only a comparatively small quantity 

 is required. 



I found that Mr. Warnes had acted on the same principle as 

 the Irish Society, having engaged two Belgians to superintend his 

 flax operations at Trimingham. These appeared sensible in- 

 telligent men, perfectly skilled in their vocation ; and, in addition 

 to going out to the neighbouring farmers and others requiring 

 their assistance, they have instructed a number of youths and 

 young men, and fitted them for becoming teachers. This may 

 be sufficient, as far as that particular district is concerned ; but to 

 ensure an early and general extension of the system throughout 

 England, some more general and combined effort will probably 

 be required ; and if this be adopted, we may reasonably hope that 

 it will be attended with like success. 



* See the Society's Reports for 1845 and 1846. By the last Report it 

 appears that twenty-six instructors are employed by the Society, to advise 

 and assist the people in the management of their flax crops in every part 

 of Ireland 



