466 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



FLAX. 



FLAX has been known and cultivated from time immemorial, being one of the oldest 

 agricultural plants of which history furnishes us any record. It was one of the lead 

 ing crops in this country, until cotton supplanted it by the introduction of the cot 

 ton-gin, which made the cultivation of that product so much more profitable, and 

 attended with less labor. But it is somewhat surprising that the culture of flax should decline 

 in this country as rapidly as it has during the last twenty years, while other nations find it so 

 profitable. About a century ago, flax and wool were the principal materials from which the 

 common fabrics of the American people were made, and large quantities of flax were spun 

 and woven by American women for the bedding and clothing of their families. Much labor 

 was involved under the old system, both in its cultivation and manufacture, but under the 

 new system, with improved machinery, its culture is comparatively easy. 



An increased interest in the cultivation and manufacture of this product in the United 

 States, would not only largely extend our mechanical industries, but result in retaining at 

 home vast sums of money that are now annually sent to foreign countries for the linen which 

 can, at present, be obtained nowhere else. 



In addition to the great importance of its fiber, the seed of flax is of much value for the 

 oil it supplies, and the food it furnishes to farm stock especially cattle. What is termed 

 &quot; oil-cake,&quot; consists of the seeds after the oil has been expressed, and is an excellent article of 

 food for young calves and lambs, as well as other farm stock. 



The plant is an annual of quick growth, and attains the height of from one to three feet. 

 The leaves grow alternate upon the stems and branches, which are straight and slender. The 

 flowers are blue, about an inch in diameter, and contain five petals. The petals drop within 

 a few hours after the flowers open, and the seed-vessels grow rapidly, being nearly round in 

 form. The fiber is long and silky. In this country, flax is at present grown principally for 

 the seed, but little attention being paid to the quality of the fiber. 



The varieties of flax are not sufficiently marked to require special notice. 



Cultivation for Fiber. Flax will grow in almost every variety of climate from the 

 torrid to the frigid zone. Its successful culture requires a good soil, well tilled. A dry, 

 deep, loamy soil is one of the best for this product, although any other of sufficient fertility 

 that is not too wet will answer the purpose. Lands intended for the culture of flax and con 

 taining a surplus of moisture should therefore be first thoroughly underdrained. The under- 

 draining should be done a year or two before the flax crop is grown, in order to render it 

 sufficiently dry. It is a somewhat exhausting crop, and should not be grown on the same 

 soil oftener than once in five or six years. A good wheat soil is generally considered a good 

 one for flax. The land should also be well enriched for previous crops before this is repeated. 

 Fresh manure is very objectionable as a fertilizer, owing to the quantity of weed and grass 

 seeds it contains. &quot;When stable manure is used, it should be either applied liberally to the 

 crop that precedes it, or should first be well composted. Salt, guano, ashes, and plaster are 

 also valuable. Lime is thought to be injurious to the quality of the fibre. Salt and ashes 

 are generally applied at the time of sowing the seed. When the plants have nearly attained 

 their growth, a sprinkling of plaster is often highly beneficial, not only as a fertilizer, but 

 it also destroys worms and insects that feed upon the tender plants. 



The best rotation for the fiber is thought to be after wheat, where the soil is quite fertile; 

 but where the soil is of moderate fertility, potatoes are considered a good crop to precede 

 flax. A corn crop that has been heavily manured also leaves the soil in a good condition for 

 it. Clean culture should always precede it, in order to obviate the danger of trouble with 

 weeds. 



