Agriculture is the most healthful, the most useful, and the most 
noble employment of Man.— Washington. 
VOL, ill._NEW YORK, MAY; 1844._NO. V. 
A. B. Allen, Editor. Saxton & Miles, Publishers, 205 Broadway. 
STEEPING SEEDS BEFORE SOWING 
It is frequently of great benefit to use a steep 
for certain seeds before planting. A solution of 
saltpetre is one of the most valuable for this pur¬ 
pose. By saturating the seed with this salt, a 
quick and rapid growth is given to the young 
plant, which brings it to a much earlier and 
greater maturity than would be otherwise secured. 
It is also a preventive against the ravages of in¬ 
sects, protecting the young vegetable till it reaches 
a sufficient growth to resist their injurious effects 
in a great manner. For turnep-seed, soaking in 
tanner’s oil is an excellent preventive against the 
attack of the fly, besides yielding nutriment to the 
plant, by which it more speedily gets beyond its 
fatal influence. 
CULTURE OF FLAX. 
We are surprised that our farmers do not turn 
their attention more to the cultivation of flax. 
This is a crop easily raised, and when properly 
managed, a very productive one. It is somewhat 
exhausting when its seed is permitted to come to 
full maturity, as is the general practice in this 
country. But we can not expect to make our cake 
without dough, and when we get a large crop of 
seed, we get a full equivalent for the exhaustion. 
When raised as it usually is in Ireland, where 
large crops are cultivated, and pulled before the 
seed ripens, so as to secure a more delicate fibre 
for the best qualities of linen, it is not exhausting. 
Our practice, owing to the coarser fabrics we man¬ 
ufacture from it, is to secure both fibre and seed, 
which, for our purposes, is undoubtedly the most 
profitable. The seed is one of the most, perhaps, 
decidedly the most nutritious that can be given to 
stock, when boiled or soaked in hot water for a 
sufficient lime. As an article of commerce, it is 
quite an object to raise, yet when carried off the 
land for consumption, it will be necessary to use 
manures plentifully, to keep it in proper condition. 
But one of the great advantages to be derived 
from this crop, is, the employment which getting 
it out gives to the men and boys, and to the 
women and children in spinning and weaving in 
winter, when they have little else to do, and for 
the want of which, they are too frequently idle, or 
something worse. Asa means for the improve¬ 
ment and preservation of industrious economical 
habits, it is of great value, independent of its profit 
as a field-crop. About 400 pounds of flax, and 12 
bushels of seed is a fair crop from an acre. The 
flax is worth 8 to 10 cents per lb. in this market ; 
the seed $1,40 to $1,60 per bushel. 
