AI.SIKI', CI.()\I':R 121 



aiul niacc-nitrd in still walcr, kcj)! l)cl<>\v llic surface by weights ti)r 

 about a ibrinii^hi. when ii apiK-ars lo he tUcayinn and hccoiiics soli. 

 It is then taken out and laid on ,L;i'ass for another lortnit^ht, dew and 

 heat helpinj;- the decay. When tlr\ il is tied up in huntlles and slacked 

 for nianutacture. 



It" it is not steeped it is simply laid on the ^rass, a process known as 

 dew-rettino-. Rut it has lailerly been sini])ly dried, bound, and slacked 

 like corn, ami the capsules and fibre separated b\- machinery, the librt; 

 being" much stronger by this process. li is bUached b\- ihe machine 

 process by steeping in soft soap. The crushed seed yields an oil, used 

 in poultices, for oilcake, and lor manui^e. 



The offensive nature of macerating it causetl an .\ct, 33 lien. \ 111, 

 c. 17, to be enacted in order to slop it: 



No person shall water any hemp or tlax in any river, running water, stream, brook 

 or other common pond where beasts are used to be watered, on pain of forfeiting for every 

 time so doing twenty shillings. 



Once hemp and flax grew in every garden. A i)remium was given 

 by Parliament in the eighteenth century to encourage the growing 

 of fla.N. 



After growing it on land it is necessary to manure the groimd well, 

 and to have a rotation of crops. 



Urit enini lini ranipum seges. 



ViRc.n., Georj^irs, i, 77. 



It is used as an emollient for coughs and lung trouljles. 



Essential Stecific Cii.\k.\ctkrs: — 



66. Liniim nsihi(issh?iii»i, L. — Stem tall, single, leaves broad, 

 distant, lanceolate, alternate, flowers large, blue, sepals ovate to lanceo- 

 late, petals notched. 



Alsike Clover (Trifolinm hyl)ridimi, L.) 



Like other Leguminosa- of (|uite modern date, the range of this 

 introduced plant is includetl in the \orth Temperate Zone, in pAirope, 

 Xorth Africa, and Western Asia. It is everywhere an introduction, 

 being found with other clovers, Sainfoin, Lucerne, (S:c., grown lor 

 fodder. 



As a fodder plant, too, Alsike Clover is a common companion of 

 the cultivated Red and White Clovers. It is also found in many corn- 

 fields, and where roots are grown. It is frequent in old brickyards and 

 some types of quarry, and on railway embankments. This may be due 



