OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. 91 



imported. This is a ftrong faft, which proves two 

 things, the hardinefs of flax-feed, and that our own feed 

 is equal to that imported. Some perfons fow much 

 thicker, with the idea of making the flax finer. 



4th. Time of fonv'wg. As early as the feafon will 

 admit. It is an old faying, that March tow is as good 

 as April flax ; I need fcarcely obferve, that tow is the 

 fecond quality for fpinning, after the hackle. 



5th. Culture ivhilft growing. Very careful weeding, 

 not only of the larger but of the (mailer weeds; this 

 is generally performed, when the flax is about three 

 inches high, and after rain, as the weeds draw eafier 

 at that time, than when the ground is hard. 



6th. Harveft. Flax is generally pulled, when the 

 crop is only intended for fpinning, as foon as the boles 

 are grown to their full fize, rather before they begin, 

 to aflume a brownifh hue j but fometimes it i$ necefTary 

 to pull it before that period, when it begins, as it is 

 exprefled, to fire, that is, when there are oblong 

 blackifh fpots upon the {kin, which caufe the flax to 

 break off in the drefling at the place where they ap- 

 pear ; this is. moft frequent in wet feafons, and feems 

 to be the confequence of the leaves of the plant falling 

 upon the ftem, to which they adhere, and which is 

 rotted by this means. This accident is by mofl farmers 

 attributed to lightning. 



When the feed is intended to be faved, it is neceflary 

 !& allow the flax to ftand, until the boles arc com- 



N 2, letel 



