  The neutron capture cross section on $^{26}$Mg was measured in the
astrophysically relevant energy region from 25 keV to 220 keV. The experimental
results agree well with a calculation using the Direct Capture (DC) model
together with systematic folding potentials. This experiment confirms for the
$^{26}$Mg(n,$\gamma$)$^{27}$Mg reaction that the DC process is at least
comparable to the Compound--Nucleus (CN) process. The reliability of DC
calculations is discussed, and we present some ideas for future experiments
which could reduce the theoretical uncertainties of DC calculations.
