18 NOVEMBER 1932, Page 12

We are apt to be unenterprising in the encouragement of

out-of-the-way crops and in the manufacture of out-of-the. way foods and products. Flax factories, farina factories and alcohol factories (both these for the utilization of the excess of potatoes), tobacco factories have all both appeared and disappeared ; but it would be a mistake to take the dis- appearance as a proof or even an indication that there may not be a future for such work. A very small change in the organization of the world, in the politics and economics of our own country or of other countries, may make all the difference. It is certainly well worth the while of our agri- cultural research workers to look into the question of growing flax for seed. The plant flourishes with us like the tobacco plant and demands no• excess of labour or preparation.