RETTING IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM. 11 7 



already afforded. The system is the same, whether in England 

 or in Belgium; improvement being the only distinguishing 

 feature in favour of the foreigner. 



Every process, as I have elsewhere observed, connected with 

 the cultivation, growth, and preparation of flax is extremely 

 simple, requiring the activity of a practical hand more than 

 the efforts of an ingenious head. As an instance, Sir Charles 

 Burrell, Bart., the earliest and most consistent supporter of my 

 plans, sent a young man to Trimingham, who, in less than three 

 months, returned to Sussex competent to the management of 

 his master's crops. 



The only real difficulty has arisen from the want of suitable 

 steeping accommodation ; and, consequently, much flax has 

 been injured both in colour and quantity a difficulty which 

 the Belgians obviate by sending their flax to places adapted to 

 this particular branch of the business ; distance to them being 

 immaterial compared to the advantages derived. 



The water of the river Lys, to the extent of many miles along 

 its banks, is the most celebrated depository for flax. Steep- 

 ing is, to hundreds of men, a regular trade. Two, or more, 

 unite in the possession of a number of crates, adapted to a 

 given expanse of water, for which they pay no rent, and are 

 protected by government from the interference of shipping. 

 The crates are about twelve feet long, eight wide, and three 

 deep. They are simply constructed, and made of common poles. 

 One of rny men, Joseph Fieux, was a joint owner of thirty - 

 five. He says that farmers send their flax as far as forty miles 

 by land to be steeped; some, by water, from Holland, even 

 much longer distances. The sheaves, tied with double, and 

 oftener with triple, bands, are placed erect in the crates. The 

 root-ends of one-half of a heaf are tied to the boll-ends of the 

 other, in order to make the bundle even and convenient 

 for stowage in the crate, which, when filled, is floated into 

 deep water, and sunk with stones to about six inches 

 below the surface. After a short time some of the stones are 

 removed to prevent the crate from touching the bottom of the 

 river. 



When ready ^to be removed, the bundles are placed upon 

 the bank, a few hours, to drain. Afterwards they are untied, 



