550 
Cultivation of Flax. 
Society commenced its operations, but tbe quality of the flax has 
likewise greatly improved ; and Ireland may now look forward, 
at no very distant day, to produce as much as she requires of 
this the great staple of her manufactures. 
Can we doubt that what has thus, it may be said within a recent 
period, been done in Ireland, ought also to be done in England ? 
The soil and the climate are at least as favourable for the growth 
of flax here as they are there, or as they are in either Holland or 
Belgium. Instructors may readily be obtained from either of 
these countries, or persons might be sent from hence to learn the 
various processes, and on their return they might impart instruc- 
tion to others. The result would, I am confident, amply repay 
the outlay by the benefits it would confer, and the art once ac- 
quired would not be in danger of being lost. 
The quantity of flax and tow imported into the United King- 
dom in the year 1843, chiefly from Russia, Prussia, Holland, and 
Belgium, was, according to the Parliamentary Returns, no less 
than 1,437,150 cwts. ; and the value of linens exported in the 
same year amounted to a million sterling, the official value given 
in the tables, which is always under the real value, being 898,829/. 
The quantity of the raw material imported, added to that pro- 
duced within the United Kingdom, not only provided for our 
immense home consumption, but also allowed of an export to the 
above amount ; and the importance to this country of encouraging 
the growth of flax, in an economical point of view, cannot there- 
fore I think be doubted. 
It has often been said that flax is a very exhausting crop, but 
it certainly is not more so than any of the usual grain crops, 
neither does it require a very rich soil. Indeed, a rich or highly 
manured soil is injurious, causing the plant to grow too strong and 
luxuriant, and rendering the fibre coarse and less valuable. Flax 
is grown on light, poor land in Belgium and in Holland, and I 
have seen it growing on mere bog in Ireland. 
The general introduction of flax culture in England, would 
constitute a new and most valuable element in the rotation, and 
would enable the farmer to vary and extend his successions, 
which is In itself a highly Important consideration. The water 
in which flax has been steeped is highly ferllllzlng when applied 
to the land, and the seed, when properly saved and prepared, 
constitutes excellent provender for cattle and milch cows. It 
may be safely asserted, therefore, that a flax crop rightly managed 
is not only valuable as affording increased means of employment 
for our agricultural population, and highly profitable for the pur- 
poses of the manufacturer, and for the feeding of cattle, but th.it 
it moreover returns to the soil, In the shape of manure, as much, 
if not more than any of the grain crops; in addition to which it 
