On the cultivation of Flax; the fattening of cattle with native produce: box-feeding and summer-grazing. 2nd edition

Front matter

i ON THE CULTIVATION OF FLAX, <§•<.. SsC. ON THE CULTIVATION OF FLAX; THE FATTENING OF CATTLE WITH NATIVE PRODUCE ; BOX-FEEDING; AND SUMMER-GRAZING. By JOHN WARNES, Esq. DEDICATED TO THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. "Oh ! is there not some patriot in whose power That best, that god-like luxury is plac'd Of blessing thousands, thousands yet unborn, Through late posterity ? Some large of soul To cheer dejected industry ? To give A double harvest to the pining swain, And teach the lab'ring hand the sweets of toil ? Yes, there are such." Thomson. PROFITS OF THE WORK TO BE APPLIED TO THE PROMOTION OF THE FLAX CAUSE. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JAMES RIDGWAY, PICCADILLY. 1847. London ; Printed by William C__ow.es and Sons, Stamford Street,

Preface

So important was a preface considered in former times, that the talents of Doctor Johnson were not unfrequently called into requisition to supply authors with such an appendage to their works. Now, little regard is paid to this, perhaps, most difficult department of literary labour. I hope, however, that my introductory remarks will obtain an attentive perusal, at least, from every true lover of his country: for my theme, though simple, is vast: comprehending nothing less than complete deli verance from that accumulated mass of pauperism which preys upon the vitals of the nation. A mass that, if not supplied with other food than the bread of idleness, must — at no very distant date, like pent-up steam — explode. A theme worthy of a Johnson's pen ! yet committed, by an unerring Providence, to an obscure individual, without any claim to literary merit or to public notice, in order that the " excellency of the power might be of God, and not of man."

Of God, because the highest authorities of the state, in Parliament assembled, avowed their inability to provide a remedy for the national distress. Nor do the numerous plans attempted by private enterprise, or proposed at public meetings, offer any prospect of permanent relief; the cultivation of flax alone excepted. Years of reflection and diligent research into the re quirements, habits, genius, and physical powers of the VI

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. labouring population, justify this conclusion, which is strengthened by the results of successful experiments, by private communications from almost every county in England, and confirmed by the experience of those gen tlemen whose statements are recorded in the following pages. It will be seen that my progress had to encounter the usual routine of oppositions attendant upon every good cause; and that a faithful history of my discovery of the intrinsic value to the British nation of the flax-crop, rendered the relation of those oppositions unavoidable. The fall of the Norfolk Flax Society — the subsequent attempts to frustrate my labours — with the ebullitions of ignorance and animosity, of envy and contempt, are also subjects in themselves unworthy of notice. But I record them as a salutary warning to those who suppose that rank and numbers can annihilate the advocacy of a cause sustained by the fundamental principles of Chris tianity ; and as an encouragement to all who may here after tread the path of the philanthropist and of the patriot.

The extensive circulation of my pamphlets — the de mand for new editions — the interest excited as each num ber of my Public Letters appeared — and the acknowledg ments from every part of the kingdom of benefits derived — evince the rectitude of my advocacy. Doubly gratifying, therefore, was the task that de volved upon me, not of composing a new book, but of compiling one that had already appeared in a variety of detached forms, and had long been subjected to the ordeal of public criticism. Not a sentence has been refuted, nor a case of failure produced, where my directions have been

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. VII strictly adhered to. Circumstances may have interfered to prevent the full realization of promised benefits. But the great majority of successful instances indisputably prove that all the others might have been equally so if conducted upon the same principles. Now that my publications appear in a collected form, many errors for the future may be avoided. But how ever simple every process, and clear every description, it is scarcely possible, particularly in the management of flax, for amateurs to succeed without the aid of practical instruction. I have endeavoured to show that county associations, with branches attached, were eminently calculated to disseminate information. I therefore insert the adver tisements, circulars, and reports of those already formed, for the guidance of parties who may hereafter perceive the desirableness of establishing similar societies.

Their insertion may be thought by some irrelevant and con fusing ; as also the controversial portions of my letters, political allusions, &c. ; but had I omitted them, the nationality of my undertaking and the independence of my exertions would have been destroyed. My volume is offered as a book of reference, rather than as a connected history. Information will be found indiscriminately distributed. But the Index will remedy any inconvenience on this account, by at once referring the inquirer to the subject of his immediate research. Although the flax-plant was indigenous to this coun try, and its properties, both as respects fibre and seed, were known from time immemorial, yet its real value remained undiscovered till the invention of the com pound. Every attempt to fatten cattle upon linseed

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. with economy had failed. Oil-cake, the refuse of lin seed, stood first in the farmer's estimation. He maintained that it was superior to the pure seed itself; nor could his deep-rooted prejudice be removed till a chain of successful experiments rendered conviction irresistible. My attempt to grow the seed of which this favourite oil-cake was composed, arose from the desire of substi tuting native for foreign produce to fatten cattle, and originated the present movement towards the growth of flax. An insignificant commencement ! but destined, like many similar dispensations of Providence, to produce benefits to which no limits can be assigned. Box-feeding and summer-grazing next engaged my attention ; which, in combination with flax-culture, form the foundation of the following pages ; and I am con fident that the advantages therein portrayed will be fully realized by all who rightly apply them.

It would be folly to dispute their solidity without the test of practical inquiry. Nor do I intend again to enter the lists of con troversy with parties guided only by empty theories and idle prejudices. The opposition of the Anti-Corn-Law League forms a remarkable feature in the history of the present movement to extend the cultivation of flax. I refer to it with pain : for though no inconsiderable portion of the free trade party were favourable to the culture, and many flax-spinners promoted it by subscriptions and premiums, yet, in their collective capacity, they greatly retarded the cause. Their sweeping condemnation of landowners, for the supposed attempt "to substitute flax for wheat, and to lessen the means of subsistence," was inconsistent and unjust. Nor can ignorance of the Flax Society's

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. IX real designs be pleaded as an excuse : for the League possessed reports and publications of its proceedings, in which the desire to increase production and to ameliorate the condition of the poor was clearly defined. Under the improved management of flax, the price must ultimately approximate to that of cotton, and enable linen to compete with calico; this would prove more fatal to the manufacturers of the latter than agricultural protection. Were the climate of England genial to cotton, the spinner, unquestionably, would be anxious to promote the home growth, regardless of those injurious effects upon wheat, deteriorations of soil, and prohibitions in leases, which he now advances against the inestimable flax-plant; but, if any grounds ever existed for such objections, they have been rendered obsolete by modern discoveries and by scientific improvements in agriculture.

Another opposition arose from the scheme of substituting for flax the Camelina sativa, a plant pompously called " the Gold of Pleasure." The stalks were represented as containing superior flax, and the seed to be of more value than linseed. Through circulars, advertisements, and public letters, glowing descriptions were promulgated: the project attracted much attention, and obtained some converts. I sowed a little of the seed myself by way of experiment : the result induced me to warn the public against the delusion ; on which account an action was commenced against me, but quickly with drawn for obvious reasons : afterwards Mr. Taylor secured a patent for extracting lamp-oil from the seed, for which it appears to be well adapted. About the same time Mr. Hutcheson obtained a patent for compressing into cake linseed-oil with the meal X

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. of barley, or that of beans, peas, &c; as did also Mr. Hill for the meal of linseed baked with similar ingredients. Both attempts, being complicated and expensive, failed to reward the projectors, or to confer any benefit upon the community : for baking, pressing, and forming into shapes are superfluous operations, deteriorating, instead of contributing to the fattening properties of the materials. I had myself a large oven and steam-apparatus erected for cooking roots, &c. ; but discontinued their use in favour of boiling and scalding, these being more simple and better adapted to every grade of farmer. As yet I have seen nothing so effective and economical as an iron copper. Since this Preface was commenced twelve months have elapsed, and additional opportunities been afforded me of ascertaining the results of experiments, the omission of which would have rendered my work incomplete.

I resume my pen, therefore, not to enforce untried theories, but to record authenticated facts. If I had ever any solid reasons for promulgating my plans, those reasons are rendered doubly urgent at the present crisis. The repeal of the corn-laws is insisted upon by the League, with all the art that human in genuity can devise, and with all the power that money can command ; while agriculturists, formed into pro tective associations, are equally determined to uphold the existing duties. Whatever may be the result of the conflict, it is evident that farmers who have adopted the cultivation of flax, the fattening of cattle upon native produce, &c, &c, must be better prepared to sustain the shock of free-trade than those who resort to foreign

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. XI manure for land, and food for cattle. At all events, it is certain that a high price for the common necessaries of life cannot be sustained ; that profits upon land must be derived from increased production ; and that farmers ought no longer to hold out against the adoption of new systems of improvement. The soil, and the poor, are, through the dispensation of Providence, talents committed to our charge, for the abuse or neglect of which we are accountable. As stewards over these great trusts, it is incumbent upon us to render them subservient to the public weal. This, an enlightened philanthropy will acknowledge, science point out the way, and an increasing population enforce. The requirements of the people include raiment as well as food ; and it is a question whether the cost for labour in providing the former is not greater than that for the latter.

Our soil and climate are adapted to the culti. vation of other crops besides wheat, barley, and turnips. Could we grow cotton, the nation would be richer by all the sums now sent abroad for that article : but as such an undertaking would be fruitless, why should not our attention be turned to the culture of flax ? — a plant for which, including the seed, oil, and cake, 400,000/. per week are expended with foreigners ! The object of my book is to show that all this money might be circulated at home to the improvement of the soil and to the advancement of the poor. The League points to our half-cultivated fields, and tells us that we are cumberers, not tillers, of the ground. Reflective and patriotic minds admit the justice of the accusation, and feel that the stigma ought to be removed. But how to accomplish this desideratum is a problem

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. they have failed to solve. Nor can it be solved, except through the national adoption of the flax crop ; because the redundant population would obtain the employment agriculture the support, and trade the encouragement which each so greatly needs ; because the formation of linseed into food to fatten cattle, and the sale of flax, will be fresh sources of wealth to the British farmer; and because an impetus would be given to home trade in general by the increased price of wages, and by the consequent increased consumption of all the common necessaries of life. In truth, it is impossible to form an estimate of the advantages the community would derive ; for, independent of all pecuniary consideration, moral, civil, and religious order are involved in the magnitude of the undertaking. The redundant juvenile population, in particular, has long been the bane of society : an irremediable evil, except through permanent employment; an evil, the removal of which has for years excited general solici tude.

But, except the cultivation of flax, nothing effective has -yet been devised. Effective, because, if the poor-rates at Trimingham have been reduced^to one rate in three-quarters of a year, at threepence in the pound, through the employment afforded by flax-culture, it is but reasonable to assume that the same effect would be pro duced in every parish throughout the kingdom.* Less than one acre of land to a hundred, now in cultivation, would produce more flax than the redundant population could prepare for market; be the means of circulating annually, chiefly in wages, three millions * See p. 61.

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. XIII of money in the rural districts, and of retaining between two and three millions besides, now sent abroad for linseed, oil, and cake. The accuracy of these depositions may be ascertained by a reference to Government Returns, and to the Reports of the Irish Flax Improvement Society. It will then be found that the sums specified may be doubled. That a cause of such vital importance should have rested so many years upon individual effort and expense must strike the reader with astonishment. But, regardless of every consideration except that of national benefit, I prosecuted my labours, and am enabled to look back upon my losses, mortifications, and disappointments with composure. During the past year my farm has been a source of continued attraction to visitors, the number of my correspondents been greatly increased, and the compound system of fattening cattle, added to the erection of boxes, rapidly extended.

Thus far the soundness of my theory and practice is confirmed. Additional proofs also have been afforded that, in every part of the kingdom where corn can be produced, the soil is favourable to the growth of flax; and that the crop would be extensively cultivated, pro vided Societies were established for the preparation of the fibre, or factors found to purchase the stalks accord ing to the Continental system. A Flax Company has already been formed at Ipswich ; the first report of which is favourable to the undertaking, and the culture of the plant ably advocated by the local papers of that town and neighbourhood.

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. Upon my own premises, under the agency of Belgians from the celebrated Courtrai district, several young people have become expert hand-scutchers, and are ready to go out as instructors ; others are also being taught to dress flax by machinery ; and, in fact, a complete establishment is formed, such as ought to have been under the management of local societies: but the cold neglect of some, and the inconsiderate opposition of others, compelled me to pursue an independent course. It is therefore with inexpressible feelings of gratitude towards an overruling Providence, that I find myself in a position to employ a number of youths, from thirteen years old and upwards, at wages varying from 5s. to 9s. per week, whose previous subsistence was extremely precarious, and whose reformed habits evince the salutary effect of constant work at adequate wages.

It is impossible to portray the moral benefits con ferred wherever flax-culture is introduced ; particularly upon that part of the population which, being deficient in physical power, can obtain no permanent employment, and is a pest to society. Experience has proved that, without occupation, it is in vain to expect the reformation of the idle : upon this plea alone the Flax Cause has a just claim upon the support of the British public ; and, when the plans described in this work are taken into the account, it is evident that all who are interested in, or dependent upon, agriculture, must per ceive the necessity of adopting them. Thus, by a combination of views and interests, the cultivation of flax, the fattening of cattle with native produce, box-feeding and summer-grazing, will be found

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. XV admirably adapted to sustain the weight of an increasing population, and to counteract the baneful effects of a free trade in corn. In the perusal of my book the critical reader will doubtless discover many defects ; but the originality and utility of the work will hide a multitude of faults. Some of. my directions may be considered unneces sarily minute ; but it should be remembered that I am answerable for the success of measures I so strongly recommend: nor do I arrogate to myself the merit of discoveries that admit of no improvement ; on the con trary, my plans are open to investigation ; and should they prove only forerunners of better things, I shall re joice in having laid a foundation upon which others may build a more perfect system. ) CONTENTS. PAGE Preface ......... i Introductory Remarks to the Second Edition 1 Reasons for the Cultivation of Flax . . . . .15 Agriculture and Home-Commerce the Pillars of National Prosperity — Distress of the Poor, which can only be remedied by Constant Employment — Sufferings of the Operatives in the Manufacturing Districts — Agricultural Produce imported — The Factory System — Condition of the Labourer Abroad and at Home— Poor Laws fatal to good Wages and Home-Commerce — Evil Effects of insufficient Employment — Flax-Culture would provide that Employment — The Flax-Crop in Ireland — Allusions to Flax in the Holy Scriptures — Known to the ancient Egyptians — Introduced into Britain by the Romans — Not affected by Difference of Soil and Climate — A double Crop — Affords Employment to Thirty Classes of Society — Our Obligations to the Flax Improvement Society of Ireland.

Meeting of the North Walsham Farmers' Club ... 26 Exhibition of Stock, and of Flax grown in Norfolk — Speeches of Mr. Wodehouse, Mr. Warnes, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Norfor, Sir T. F. Buxton, &c— The Dinner — Mr. Rous's Explanation of the Objects of the newly-formed Society. The Norfolk Flax Society 40 Its First Meeting in St. Andrew's Hall — Speech of Mr. Rous, the President — of the Author — of Sir Edward Stracey, Lord Wodehouse, Hon. and Rev. R. Wilson, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Wodehouse, the Bishop of Norwich, &c. Impediments arise, which mar the Prospects of the Society . 55 Causes of Difference among the Committee — Mr. Rous's Letter to the Author — The Author's Reply — His Letter to the Norfolk Chronicle — Mr. Burn on Home-Colonization — Improvement in the Condition of Belgium consequent on the Growth of Flax.

The National Flax and Agricultural Improvement Association 66 Prospectus of the Association formed at Ipswich — Basis of its Operations — Subscriptions — The Author's Suggestions — Reb CONTENTS. PAGE marks of Stanislaus, King of Poland, on the Condition of the Polish Peasantry — The Author equally advocates the Cause of the Poor and of the Rich. Extracts from Ancient and Modern Writers on the Flax-Crop 70 Flax introduced into Britain by the Romans — Efforts of the Legislature to promote its extensive Cultivation — Causes of its Failure — Flax a double Crop — Its indirect Advantages are greater than its direct — Amount of Flax annually imported. Letter of R. Somerville, Esq., on the Flax-Crop ... 74 Desirableness of increasing the Quantity grown in Britain — Both Flax and Hemp may be advantageously grown on poor Soils — The Flax Crop in Holland— The Fibre of the Plant is not injured by the Seed being allowed to ripen — Points worthy of minute Investigation — The Author's Remarks on this Letter.

Letter of Samuel Homespun to the ' Gentleman's Magazine' . 81 Agriculture in China — British Flax— Amount of Labour required to work up the Produce of an Acre of Flax — Produce of an Acre of inferior Flax — Of a medium Quality — The Linen Manufacture may be secured to Britain. Dr. J. Eobertson on the Agriculture of the County of Perth . 85 Flax grown in various parts of the County — Sowing Linseed — Flax-Steeping— How to save the Seed — Preparation of Lint. England's Improvement by Sea and Land .... 88 Linen made in Holland and Flanders — Employment of various Classes in its Manufacture — This branch of Trade should be introduced into England— Places that should be selected for this purpose — Land in Warwickshire. The Golden Flax 92 How to treat Flax intended for the Manufacture of Cambric and Fine Lawn ........ 93 Preparation of the Soil— Sowing— Subsequent Treatment— When and how to pull the Lint— The Two-handed Wheel.

Letter from a Dorsetshire Gentleman to the Secretary of the Bath Agricultural Society ..... 94 Lands neglected that might be made to grow Flax and Hemp — Flax grown on marshy Soils— Preparation of Land for the Crop — Amount of Hemp and Flax annually imported— Advantages attending their Growth. Dr. Smyth on the Agriculture of the County of Argyll . . 97 Our Climate and Soil well* suited to the Growth of Flax— The Productiveness of Estates depends on their Population — Choice of Ground for Flax Culture— Watering Flax— Thc Seed should be saved. CONTENTS. XIX PAGE Captain Skinner's Speech to the Tenants of the Earl of Erne . 99 Quantity of Flax grown in Ireland — Specimens exhibited — Models of various Machines. Mr. Henderson on the Management of Flax . . . .101 Best Soil for Flax — Rotation — Preparation — Sowing — Weeding — Ripening — Pulling — Steeping — Spreading — Lifting — Drying — Breaking — Scutching — Injury done to Flax by Water oozing from the Sides of the Steeping- Pond.

Letter from Messrs. Marshall & Co. to the Author . .107 Their Importations of Flax — Opinion that it could be advantageously grown in Britain— Demand for fine Flax — Offers of Assistance. Letter from Mr. Edmonds, of Stonehouse, to the Author . 109 Has long cultivated Flax — Seed — Preparation of Land — Flax will fail if sown after Turnips. Letter from Messrs. Marshall & Co. to the Author . .110 Price of Flax in Belgium — Retting. Profits of Growing Flax 112 Produce of Three Statute Acres of Flax in Ireland. On Saving of Flax Seed . ...... ib. Mr. Wolstenholme's Flax-Crop — Value — Ireland eminently adapted for Flax-Culture. Description of the Flax Plant 114 Its Characteristics unaltered by Difference of Climate — Fibre — Seed — Easy of Growth — Most favourable Soils — Sowing — When to pull, and how to save the Seed — Water-Retting in Holland — In Belgium — The Lys — Drying the Bundles — Mr. Hardy on Flax-Dressing and Steeping — The'Author's Method — No Objection to the Growth of Flax — Produce of various Fields of Flax.

Sir C. M. Burreli's Letter to the Author . . . .124 His Adoption of the System of Box-Feeding — Elevation and Ground Plan of his Boxes — He incloses the Calculations of Mr. Daubuz and Colonel Wyndham — His Views on Fattening Cattle with Compound are much approved by Agriculturists. Suggestions on Fattening Cattle with Native Produce . .129 Agriculture of the Netherlands— Irish Flax Society — Fattening Properties of Linseed— Farmers' Clubs — The Author's Bullocks. Directions for making Compound . . . . .134 Compound for Sheep — For Bullocks— Moulds — Foreign Oil-cake — Prices of Barley and Cake — Foreign Manures — Lucern — Potatoes — Degrees of Fattening. b XX CONTENTS. PAO* On the Use of Linseed 142 Linseed used in Norfolk— Sir C. M. Burrell's Letter to the Sussex Herald— Boxes of Mr. W'hitmore, the Rev. J. C. Blair Warren, and Mr. Partridge — Feeding Sheep on Linseed — Progress of the Box-feeding System— Calves— Profit on an Ox.

SERIES OF LETTERS ON THE CULTIVATION OF FLAX. Letter 1 151 Flax in Belgium — Holland — Ireland — A double Crop — The Author's Interview with Messrs. Marshall— Pulling and Stooking Flax. Letter II 155 Price of Flax in Belgium, Ireland, and England — The Author's Crop — Expenses — Seed ought not to be sold. Letter III 157 State of Great Britain — Box-feeding — Objections answered — Demagogues — Cobbett — Waste Lands in Ireland — Boxes and Box-feeding. Letter IV 165 Our Means for Flax Culture — The Turnip Crop — Grass. Letter V 170 The Author's Answer to Mr. Richardson — Meeting of the North Walsham Farmers' Club — Experiments of Mr. Postle — Profits of Box-feeding. Letter VI 176 Meeting at Ipswich — National Flax Association — Importance of Flax Culture — Value per Acre — Machinery — Missionary Labours.

Letter VII 181 Condition of Norwich— Suggestions for its Improvement — Mousehold Heath — Land reclaimed by Weavers — The Growth of Flax will not supersede that of Wheat — Wages. Letter VIII 190 Mr. Windham — The Anti-Corn-Law League — Prize Cattle — The Author's Bullocks— Dr. Playfair's Theory — Lord Torrington's Prize Ox. Letter IX. ......... 197 The Flax Crop — Reply to the Letter of Mr. Rous. Letter X. .."..*....•' . 207 Reply to the Letter of Mr. Gower — Address of Mr. Copeman. Contents. XXI PAGE Letter XI 215 Further Controversy with Mr. Gower and Mr. Rous — Letter of Mr. Edmonds to the Author. ' Letter XII. ......... 219 Progress of the Flax Cause— The Author answers the Writer of the Norfolk Agricultural Report — Both Fibre and Seed must be saved — Experiments of Mr. Postle — The Author's Advice to Agriculturists.

Letter XIII 224 Further Controversy with Mr. Gower — Price of Scutching — Mr. Rous's Flax Crop — Gold of Pleasure — Progress of the Flax Cause — The Belgian Method adopted in Norfolk — Messrs. Gibbs on the Gold of Pleasure — Statistics of the Flax Trade. Letter XIV 234 The Author's Reply to the ' Manchester Guardian ' — The Flax Cause supported by the Spinners — Condition of the Labourer. Letter XV 242 The Home versus the Foreign Market — Importation of Oil-Cake and Manure — The Flax Trade in Belgium — Profit of Flax — Apparatus required for making Compound — Cost of Linseed — -Mr. Barker on the Flax Crop— Couch Grass— Food for Pigs and Sheep. . Letter XVI 252 The Author's Reply to Mr. Taunton 's Letter — His Animadversions on Mr. Taylor's Comparison of Flax with Gold of Pleasure — Concludes the Controversy with Mr. Taylor.

Letter XVII 263 Peas should be sown with Flax — The Author's Bullocks— Flax sown on newly broken up Land — Quantity of Linseed consumed by each Bullock. Letter XVIII 267 Employment of the Rural Population — Mr. Burn on Population and Emigration — How to make the most of the Flax Crop — Agricultural Improvement Association — Proposed Rules for a Flax Society. Letter XIX 274 Free Trade versus Protection — The Flax Crop — Norfolk Soil favourable to Flax — Management — Flax cannot be woven by Machinery. Letter XX 280 The Author's Reply to Mr. Cobden — Success of the Flax Cause. CONTENTS. XXII PAGE FURTHER LETTERS ON THE CULTIVATION OF FLAX. Letter I. — On the Flax-Crop and the Use of Linseed . . 289 Reply to " Cincinnatus " — The Consul of that Name — A farm in Bedfordshire — Profits of Box-feeding — Prices realised by the Author for his Flax.

Letter IL— On Flax 295 Reply to "An Old Subscriber" — Flax will fail if grown after Turnips — Flax in Bedfordshire — Mr. Druce to the Author — Theoretical Farming. Letter III.— The Flax Cause— Box-feeding . . . .301 Reply to " Ignoramus "—Mr. Matthews's Letter to the Author. Concluding Remarks ....... 306 Profits of Flax-Growing — Facts connected with the Flax-Crop — Manure — Mr. Nicholls — Sir R. Peel's Donation to tho Irish Flax Society — The Author's Exertions in the Flax Cause — A Prize proposed for the best Essay on Flax — Linseed excellent Food for Horses— Conclusion.

Appendix

. Controversy on the Gold of Pleasure . . . . .321 Letters ofthe Rev. Daniel Gwilt, the Author, &c, on this subject. Cultivation of Hemp 332 The Hemp Plant — Preparation of the Soil — Sowing — Heckling — A Profitable Crop. First Annual Report of the National Flax Association . . 335 Management during the past Year — Saving the Seed — thc Crop not an exhausting one — Machinery for Flax-dressing — Hand-scutching — Hand-spinning — Spread of Information — Factorship — Value ofthe Fibre — ofthe Seed — Finances. A Remedy for the Distresses of Norwich .... 347 Erection of a Flax-spinning Mill — How to establish the Linen Trade — Distress of small Tradesmen.in that City — The Labour- Market. Flax Spinners and Agents in England .... 353 Irish Flax and Tow Spinners ...... 354 Irish Flax Merchants and Agents ..... 355 Index . . . . . . . ... .