Cultivation of Flax in Belgium. 173 



jaune," also owing its colour to the same natural causes. Alder- 

 leaves and poppy-heads are supposed to improve the colour of 

 the flax. The flax-plants are made into bundles, placed in the 

 pool, and covered with planks and stones to keep them under 

 water, and are left to soak for ten or twelve days. This process 

 costs from \'^s. to IZ. per acre. 



Steeping in Rivers. — The flax must be a year old, and the 

 stream limpid, so as to preserve the whiteness of the filament. 

 In the environs of Courtrai it is generally kept for two or three 

 years before being steeped. It is placed either horizontally or 

 vertically ; flax steeped horizontally is not so white, but more 

 soft, the water making its way through it much less rapidly, so 

 as to cause putrefaction, and thus produce softness. The bundles 

 of flax are tied with osier twigs, fastened to stakes embedded in 

 the river, and are kept stationary by means of cords fastened to 

 posts on the banks of the river. 



Flax that is to be steeped vertically is either fastened to poles, 

 and plunged under water, or else placed in cages or frames lined 

 with straw, containing 150 bundles ; the cage once filled, and 

 the top of it covered with 1 or IJ inch of straw, is fastened 

 by cords to posts, and let down into the river. At the end of a 

 few days fermentation sets in, and the cage becomes heavier ; 

 care must be taken not to disturb its equilibrium. This process 

 generally reqifires from seven to ten days, the time varying 

 according to the season and temperature : thus, in May, it 

 requires between nine and ten days ; in August, seven days ; 

 and in October, twelve days. 



The steeping of an acre of flax, including what is called the 

 "arriere rouissage " (the latter process), costs 48s. 



This process generally gives a coarse fibre, but strong and of 

 a good colour, and in quantity inferior to that produced by the 

 steeping in stagnant pools. 



The "arriere rouissage" consists in stacking the bundles after 

 they have been taken out of the steeping-cages, and are free from 

 water. When once the flax is well dried it is again spread over 

 a field to whiten. 



The " factory," or American process, is already well known 

 in Ireland, under the name of " Schenk's Patent System for Steep- 

 ing Flax ; " it would be therefore superfluous to describe it. 



After steeping ("rouissage ") and stripping (" teillage "), which 

 is done by hand, or on pieces of wood with teeth like a saw 

 (called " broyoires "), the flax is divided into what is called 

 " brin," the finer portion, and tow, the coarser; the first named 

 being used for thread. 



Until lately the system of " rouissage " (steeping) practised on 

 the banks of the River Lys was considered the best in Belgium ; 



