THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Auo. 1, 1865. 
16 ON THE CULTIVATION OF 
Linen manufactories are also springing up. This branch of enterprise 
is certainly the greatest boon of all to this country, converting as it does, 
the raw material into manufactured goods of a description so much in 
common use in Canada, such as linen for bagging, brown holland, drills, 
towelling, bed ticking, shoe threads, saddlers' threads, wrapping twine, 
and cordage of every description. All these articles have hitherto been 
largely imported, and we have been paying upon them a duty of twenty 
per cent. 
Cottonizing the fibre is also engaging the attention of the skilful 
artisan. This process may be seen at the Doon Mills. A two-fold 
benefit will arise from the production of this new class of goods. First, 
it will take the place of cotton batting, which like all articles of that 
class, is at war prices. Secondly, the farmer will be relieved of the most 
objectionable part of the labour which attends flax, — that of pulling, as 
it can be cottonized wdien taken from the field in any shape, without re- 
gard to its being made into sheaves, as is required if used for scutching, 
and producing a fibre fit for spinning yarn. 
While endeavouring as briefly as possible to point out the most 
economical and profitable mode of cultivation and after-treatment of 
the flax crop, it is necessary to caution parties intending to give the new 
product a fair trial, not to expect too much at least, for the first year. In 
order to success, the directions about to be given must be carefully ob- 
served. If they cannot in all cases be followed to the letter, beginners 
should keep as near them as possible. At the same time there can be little 
doubt that experience from year to year will enable the farmer to make 
many improvements on the rules herein laid down. This has been 
the case in all flax growing countries, and Canada will hardly prove an 
exception. 
I will now proceed to point out the description of soil best calculated 
for a crop of flax. All parties that have written on this subject are of 
opinion that a good clay subsoil, with a friable deep loam, is the best 
for this p>lant ; but I have seen it grown in Ireland on almost every 
description of land. My belief is that in every county in Canada there 
are large tracts well adapted for flax. All the valleys along the rivers 
are admirably suited for its growth. Mr. Beck of Baden, county of 
Waterloo, where a scutching mill has long been established, sowed flax 
three successive years on a piece of rich flats near his mill, and the crop 
produced the last year was the best of the three. In order, however, to 
succeed in getting a good crop on any land, parties must not imagine for 
a moment that they can dispense with careful attention and thorough 
cultivation. The land should be well ploughed in the fall, twice if 
necessary, taking care in every case to pick off all the weeds or roots 
that may in any way obstruct the growth of the plant. After a pre- 
paration of this kind, when the land is in good tilth, many prefer sowing 
on the winter face, but at any rate a light ploughing will answer in the 
spring, or the application of the cultivator. Before sowing you require 
