Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-05-15

average vi SOO puuilus 10 inc acre.
We have taken our estimate of the
average quantity per acre of our flax cul-
ture, from the produce of an acre ac-
cording to the old mode of rottng and
dressing; but it will be seen in the
English publications, that the new mode
of dressing by machines, increases the
quantity so as to double it, and the
strength Of the fibre is perfect; so that
instead OF getting a sixth part Of the
whole plant rotted, one third is the gene
raj produce of the operation by the ma
chimes, which prepare the flax, without
the delay and risk of dew or water rot
ting. The expense and labor of pulling
the flax are much less than picking the
cotton, which requires the constant APP
plicatien OF force for a period of four
months. Flax does not require more
expensive tillage than wheat, to insure
good crop, and when pulled green,
and while the seed is soft in the capsule,
is less exhansting<o the soil, and may be
advantageously substituted for any other
crop, in any proposed system of rotation.
Flax, when broke in the dry state, yields
a considerable quantity of offal or chatl',
which, together with the seed in its in
perfect state, form most nutritious arr
ticle OF food for cattle. Flax has beel
hitherto cultivated in this country prii-
cipally with a view to the profit Of tie
seed, and hence the fibre has been coape
and harsh, but when pulled green, Is
qualityis greatly improved. When tie
same attention shall be bestowed on tie
culture of fax that has been devoted to
the cultivation Of grain, and the sarbt
care adopted in the selection of the bLst
seed, still further improvement in he
quality, and increase in the quantit1 OF
the product, may be confidently ca lcu-
| lated on.
In addition to all the advantages which
the invention of fax machines afford to
the cultivation of flax, the Curators have
ascertained that there is al present in
operation, in the vicinity of Frankfort,
machinery for spinning ilax with greater
facility than can be accomplished by ma
chinery in spinning cotton. Agreeably
to the statement Of the proprietor of this
machinery, made to the Curators at their
request, and submitted to the society,"
"the expense of attending one frame OF
"a splndles, and preparing the fax Tex
cept hackling) is thirty-three cents per
day, and the average quantity of yarn is
about "a pounds per day, or one pound
OF yarn to the spindle per day, equal to
the production Of one spindle for cotton
per week"
The extension of the hax culture by
increasing tbs supply, will afford en-
enlargement to the manufacture Of it,
and the manufacture will feciproca,e
equal encouragement to its cultivation
by charging the demand THE great
consumption Of our country OF articles
of which fax is the material, has been
made exclusively subseryieni 10 the pro-
ductive labor and wealth OF foreign coun-
tries and deserving all the benefits of
that consumption, they have studiousiy
encouraged the growth OF fax, and pro-
tected the manufacture Of it BY large
bounties. How important is il then, that
we should avail ourselves Of improve
ments calculated to render US indepen-
dent of all foreign supply of this impor-
tant article in the consumption Of our
country, and to give to our own industry
all the advantages to be derived from the
cultivation and manufacture of flax. III
these advantages have not been overra-
ted, it is subiectof great national i'm
portance; and if the legislature OF our
state were properly impressed with its
bearing onthc general interests OF agri-
culture, they might be induced TO afford
encouragement adequate 10 the accom-
plishment of the object.
The Curators offer these suggestions
to the society with a view to draw their
attention to the importance of the lax
cultivation to the interests OF agriculture,
and induce them 10 adopt all the means
within their power to give the fax ma
chimes a full and fair experiment, and to
afford to them the benefits Of any inn
proyements OF which they may be sus-
ceptibe. Our country is indebted TO ma
tive invention for the cotton gin, which
has given so much value to the cultiva-
ton OF cotton ); and if the inventive iacul- |
ties OF our countrymen could be directed
to the improvement of the flax machines,
by offering suitable encouragement, there
is every reason to calculate on final sue
cess. The wonderful improvement OF
modern times in all labor saving ma
chinery, and the eminent instances of
success in invention, would justify the
opinion, that discovery on any given sub
ject, may be confidently sought. And
on this account, the offer of premium,