PROCESS OF GROAVTNG AND PREPARING FLAX. J 79 



is made smooth and even with the right hand against the left thigh, 

 and the protruding halms pulled out, the longer ones of which 

 being added again to the mass. Now the flax is seized at the foot 

 end with the left hand, and held upon the head of the swingle- 

 board, so that the head ends hang down in front of the same. The 

 unswingled head is parted with the right, and the protruding 

 halms pulled jout, of which the better ones are added again to the 

 mass, which then is brought into the incision of the swingle-board, 

 and swingled in the same manner as the foot ends. After the head 

 ends also have been beaten enough for the first time and pulled 

 smooth again, the inside is turned outside, which is done in the 

 following manner : the laborer takes the foot end of the flax under 

 the left arm, bends down a little, puts the left foot upon a stone 

 lying beside him, opens the mass at the upper end by parting it 

 carefully with both hands up to the middle, turns thus the inside 

 outside, seizes the flax with the left hand at the head end, and runs 

 the right hand through it to the foot end in order that this also be 

 opened. Then the mass is laid again in the incision of the swingle- 

 board, is swingled through with a sharper swingle-staff' several 

 times, and then laid aside. When a second handful has gone 

 through the same operation, then both are taken together, and 

 considered one handful, which is again brought in the incision of 

 the swingle-board, but so that only one-fourth of its length comes 

 under the stroke, and the other three-fourths hang down at the 

 back side of the swingle-board. Now it is beaten vigorously with 

 the sharp staff", and at every blow the mass is lowered a little until 

 half the length is under the stroke. The flax is turned repeatedly 

 during the operation. After the foot end has been beaten smooth 

 in this way, the head end is brought under the stroke, and when 

 this is also smooth, the inside is turned out as before ; and this 

 operation is continued until the whole mass is free of all stems. If 

 this cannot fully be done with the sharp swingle-staff', scraping 

 with a dull knife must do the rest. The swingler ought not to 

 deal his strokes quite perpendicularly, but a little to the right side ; 

 and in striking touch the projecting head of the swingle-board with 

 the lower outside edge of the swingle-stafif; hold the swingle staff" 

 not too tight ; deal his strokes powerfully and accurately ; turn the 

 flax often, and the inside out ; pull out the protruding parts well 

 and often ; pick up often and lay aside the tow ; not take too large 

 handfuls ; and keep the flax as even as possible at the foot end. 



