16 FLAX CULTURE. 



HOW MUCH TO SOW. 



The quantity of seed will depend on the object for which it is sown, the quality of seed, 

 and its kind. Of foreign seeds the Dutch produces a finer fiber than Russian, but it is also 

 affected by the quantity sown. A finer fiber is produced when thickly sown than if the 

 sowing be thin. The effect of this sowing is that the plants not being crowded branch 

 freely, and produce a greater quantity of flowers and seed to each individual plant than 

 when growing closer together. The yield per plant is unquestionably greater for thin 

 sowing, but the product per acre is the important thing, especially when the quality is con- 

 sidered, and also the largely increased quantity and value of the fiber. 



Our Western farmers who have been growing the crop, hitherto, exclusively for the seed, 

 sow but y^ bushel or at most 3^ bushel per acre; but in the eastern states, on poorer soils, 

 where the farmers desire to secure crops both of seed and fiber, it is found that they obtain 

 a much larger amount of seed per acre than the average ip the West, and this, too, of 

 superior quality. 



In Europe two bushels is an average allotment for seeding an acre, producing a fine 

 lint, and after harvesting from the crop 20 bushels of seed. It has been found that in 

 the thoroughly cultivated and highly manured fields of the Flax region of Belgium, the 

 largest quantities of seed often as much as 3^ bushels to the acre are sown with the 

 best results. In that country, as also in France, it is a common practice to sell the crop 

 standing in the field before harvesting, to the "Linier" or Flaxman, who relieves the 

 farmer of its further care when it has matured. 



I would, therefore, recommend that even where the production of seed is the only object 

 of cultivation, at least one bushel be sown per acre. This would tend toward the improve- 

 ment of Flax culture in the United States, especially in the West, and the results would be 

 immediately beneficial. 



WEEDING, 



Whatever weeding may be found necessary after the crop has come up, should be done 

 with as little treading upon the tender plants as possible. It is important that this be 

 attended to when the soil is not too dry, as there is risk of disturbing the roots to their 

 injury. It were better to leave the crop altogether un weeded, unless it can be done when 

 the ground is moist. 



WHEN TO HARVEST, 



When the lower part of the stems begin to turn yellow, and the leaves fall off 8 or 10 

 inches from the ground ; when the seed capsules are formed and the seeds begin to change 

 in color from green to pale brown ; then is the proper time for harvesting the crop. 



Discriminating judgment is required that no mistake be made on this point. If harvested 

 prematurely the fiber will be weak, and there will be loss both in quality and quantity. If 

 the Flax be left standing until the seed be fully ripe the fiber will be coarse, brittle and 

 diminished in quantity. As for the seed, experience has amply demonstrated that most seeds, 

 though not quite mature when gathered, ripen fully afterwards provided they are not 

 separated (until completely dry) from the plant, in which the sap still contributes to the 

 further nourishment and perfecting of the seed. 



If in sowing the crop the acreage has been divided by an interval of several days, as 

 has been recommended, harvesting in good condition will be easily accomplished, as that 

 portion which ripens first may be taken care of before the balance of the crop has matured, 

 and so no part of it will be over-ripe. 



