FLAX. 467 



The plowing preparatory to receiving the seed should be rather deep, as the roots are 

 long, often penetrating the soil to a distance equaling one-half the length of the stalk. A 

 thorough harrowing should follow, to reduce the soil to a fine tilth. The ground, after har 

 rowing, should be left finely pulverized and level. This tillage should be early in the season, 

 and the ground left a week or two before sowing, in order to give the weed seeds that are in 

 the soil time to germinate. At the end of this period, the land should be again thoroughly 

 harrowed, in order to destroy the weeds and fit it for the reception of the seed for the crop. 



One of the great essentials in the culture of flax is to keep the soil free from weeds and 

 grass, a clean soil being more necessary for this crop than most others. The general rule for 

 flax-growing is, a rich, dry soil, finely and deeply pulverized, and free from weeds, and a 

 rotation that shall not repeat its growth on the same land oftener than once in five or six 

 years. 



Some roll the ground to consolidate and level the soil, and then lightly harrow again 

 before sowing the seed. This renders the surface of the land more level. The seed that is 

 plump, shining, and heavy should be selected for sowing. 



It should be thoroughly cleansed from all seeds of weeds, as this will save much trouble 

 in the after-culture. This may be done with a sieve or a seed-cleaning machine. Seed that 

 has not been produced on the soil is better, as a general rule. The quantity of seed to be 

 sown depends upon the purpose for which the crop is cultivated. 



When fiber is the object of the crop, a thick sowing is required. With thick sowing, 

 the stalks will be long and slender, with only one or two seed capsules at the top; hence the 

 fiber will be long and of a fine quality, and there will be but a comparatively small quantity 

 of seed; consequently it is better to sow too thick than too thin. With thin sowing the 

 plants have large branches of coarse growth, which produce many seed bolls that will be well 

 filled with seed, but the fiber will be of a coarse, inferior quality. Therefore when fiber is 

 the object to be attained in the crop, and the soil is rich, from one and a half to two bushels 

 or more per acre may be sown. Some farmers use three bushels per acre. Where the soil 

 is very rich, and the seed of the best quality, a less quantity will be required than where the 

 soil is of moderate fertility, or rather light, and the seed of second or third rate quality. 

 There is a great difference in seed. Where inferior seed is used, there will be many that will 

 not germinate at all, consequently a larger quantity will be required, to make allowance for 

 those that fail in this respect. 



The seed is sown broadcast. It was formerly the custom to sow the seed by hand ; but 

 this practice generally resulted in uneven sowing ; the seed is of such a nature that it slips 

 through the fingers easily, hence the quantity is not so well regulated ; besides, this is a slow 

 process where large crops are to be grown. 



A broadcast seed-sower is the best for this purpose, after which it should be highly har 

 rowed or brushed in, and rolled, in order to press the soil upon the seed, causing it to germin 

 ate more quickly. The time for sowing the seed is when the soil is warm. The usual time 

 in the Middle States is from the 15th of April to the 1st of May. In harrowing in the seed, 

 it is well to go over the field twice, once up and down, and then across at right angles, as 

 this mixes it more evenly in the soil, obviates the little drills made by the teeth of the harrow, 

 and prevents uneven growth and ripening. If properly harrowed and rolled, the seed will be 

 covered to the depth of about an inch. Seed should always be sown when the soil is rather 

 warm, and not too wet. Care must be taken not to roll when the land is so wet that the 

 earth will adhere to the roller. If the soil has been properly prepared and made clean of 

 weed seeds, there will be little trouble with weeds after sowing the crop. 



When weeds make their appearance, however, they must be carefully pulled by hand so 

 as not to injure the young plants. The first weeding should be when the plants are three or 

 four inches high. Boys are often employed to perform this work, and either go barefoot or 



