On Flax has been sown in Britain from time immemorial, though a sufficient quantity has not hitherto been culti vated to supply the wants of the inhabitants. Whether the British climate is unfavourable to the growth of this article, or whether the constant demand for bread corn prevents a clue space of ground from being devoted to its growth, are questions unnecessary to be discussed in this work ; suffice it to say, that, notwithstanding national liberality has stepped forward to promote the growth of flax, and offered premiums of considerable value both upon flax and the seed produced, still the trade is un prospe•ous, and not carried on to such a length as to supply one-half of the demands of our manufacturers. That this is the fact cannot be denied ; though it is equally true, that a great part of British soil, the allu vial sort particularly, is well qualified for raising this crop in perfection, were the genius and disposition of cultivators bent that way, and no impediments allowed to stand in the way of its culture.
Flax is not a severe crop on the soil, when pulled green, as it ought to be, if an article of good quality is ished for; though, when allowed to stand for seed, it is as severe a scourge as can be inflicted. The soils most suitable for flax, besides the alluvial kind already mentioned, are deep and friable loams, and such as con tain a large proportion of vegetable matter in their com position. Strong clays do not answer well, nor soils of a gravelly or dry sandy nature. But whatever be the kind of soil, it ought neither to be in too poor nor in too rich a condition; because, in the latter case, the flax is apt to grow too luxuriant, and to produce a coarse sort; and, in the former case, the plant, from growing weakly, affords only a small produce.
grass land is intended for flax, it ought to be broke up as early in the season as possi ble, so that the soil may be duly mellowed by the winter frosts, and in good order for being reduced by the har rows, when the seed process is attempted. If flax is to succeed a corn crop, the like care is required to procure the aid of frost, without which the surface cannot be ren dered fine enough for receiving the seed. Less frost, however, will do in the last, than in the first case ; there fore the grass land ought always to be earliest ploughed. At seed time, harrow the land well before the seed is distributed, then cover the seed to a sufficient depth, by giving a close double time of the harrows. Wate• furrow the land, and remove any stones and roots that may remain on the surface, which finishes the seed process.
Quanii:y of a crop of seed is intended to be taken, thin sowing is pi eferable, in order that the plants may have room to fork or spread out their leaves, and to obtain air in the blossoming and filling seasons. But it is a mistake to sow thin, when flax is intended to be taken; for the crop then becomes coarse, and often unproductive. From eight to ten pecks per acre is a proper quantity in the last case; but when seed is the object, six pecks will do very well.
Time of opinions are held with respect to the period when flax can be most profitably pulled ; but, generally speaking, it is the safest course `•o take it a little early, any thing wanting in quantity being, in this way, made up by superiority of quality; besides, when pulled in a green state, flax is not a scourge, though this objection has been urged a hun dred times against its culture. When suffered to ripen its seed sufficiently, there is no question but that II x is a severe crop, though not much more so than rye-glass, when allowed to stand till the seed is perfectly ripened. But as there is no necessity for allowing any great breadth of flax to remain for seed, the benefits to be de rived from this crop are numerous, while tile evils at tending it are only partial ; and, were sufficient cure bestowed, even these evils might be done away almost altogether. Were flax for seed only sown on particular soils, for example on new broke up moors, no detriment would follow ; because these soils are fresh, and in the first instance will produce excellent seed, even of supe rior quality to what can be raised on lands of three times more value, when applied to corn culture. We have repeatedly ascertained the fact by experiment, and found the seed to be excellent, when sown upon other sods, where flax was taken as a crop.
Method of flax is pulled it ought to be immediately put into the water, so that it may part with the rind or shave, and be fit for the manufacturer. Standing pools, for many reasons, are most proper for the purpose, occasioning the flax to have a better colour, to be sooner ready for the grass, and even to be of su perior quality in every respect. When put into the wa ter, it is tied up in beets, or small sheaves; the smaller tne better, because it is then most equally watered. These sheaves ought to be built in the pool in a reclin ing upright posture, so that the weight placed above may keep the whole firm down. In warm weather, ten days of the watering process is sufficient; but it is pro per to examine the pools regularly after the seventh day, lest the flax should putrefy or rot, which sometimes happens in very warm weather. Twelve days will an swer in any sort of weather ; though it may be remark ed, that it is better to give rather too little of the water, than too much, as any deficiency may be easily made up by suffering it to lie longer on the grass, whereas an excess of water admits of no remedy. After lying on the grass for a due time, till any defect of the watering process is rectified, flax is taken up, tied when dry in large sheaves, and carried to the mill to be switched and prepared for the heckle. Switching may also be per formed by hand-labour; though in this case it is rarely so perfectly accomplished as when machinery is em ployed.