170 Cultivation of Flax in Belgium. 



as elsewhere, naturally depends on the succession of the crops. 

 Light sandy soil is generally ploughed to a depth of 12 inches, 

 moderately fertile land 8 inches. Loamy land is ploughed a 

 second time before winter, and the manure turned in, which 

 becomes gradually absorbed. 



Clover, if it has preceded the flax, is ploughed into the land 

 in autumn with dung or Dutch ashes, and a harrow passed over 

 it to level the soil ; a second and third stirring are given before 

 the winter. In the spring the land is again harrowed and the flax 

 sown. 



After rye and turnips, a light dressing of manure is dug or 

 ploughed into the land in March ; the plough and harrow are 

 again used, and Dutch ashes or liquid manure applied a few 

 days previous to sowing the flax. 



After oats, which have been well manured, one turn of plough- 

 ing is sufficient, and the soil is watered with " purin " (fermented 

 night-soil). 



Flax sown after a crop of hemp gives the best and finest 

 return. 



In the Western Flanders ploughs are generally used, while in 

 the Eastern Flanders they still use the spade. 



In the country about Courtrai they spread over the land, 

 already half-manured, a mixture of the aforesaid cakes of rape 

 and poppy, with "purin" in the proportion of from 1200 to 

 1600 cakes, and from 1800 to 2600 gallons of "purin" per acre. 



The mixture is made ten days before using, worked up in tubs 

 or barrels, and spread uniformly over the whole surface of the soil. 



In wet lands these cakes (called " tourteaux ") are reduced to 

 powder and spread over the land, which is afterwards watered 

 with "purin" — 1300 to 1550 gallons per acre (150 to 175 hecto- 

 litres per hectare). 



An acre of land, fully prepared for receiving the seed, costs in 

 the environs of Courtrai from 11. 4^. to 8Z. 4^., thus accounted 

 for : — 



£. s. d. £. s. d. 



Rent and taxes 1 10 to 2 



Manure of all sorts 5 4 „ 5 14 



Labour 10 „ 10 



Total 7 4 8 4 



In the " Pays de Waes " from 87. to 97. 6s. :— 



£. s. d. £. s. d. 



Rent and taxes 118 to 2 14 



Solid manure 2 10 „ 3 



Liquid manure 2 16 „ 2 16 



Labour 16 „ 16 



Total 8 9 6 



