42 FLAX CULTURE 



methods of cultivation. The United States 

 Government in its Agricultural Reports has 

 often described the best methods of flax 

 culture, and the substance of this sketch 

 is taken from the Agricultural Report for 

 1879. The report in this volume, cover- 

 ing over a hundred pages, is by Charles 

 R. Dodge. In his letter transmitting the 

 report he says, " The report has been pre- 

 pared particularly with a view of impress- 

 ing upon our farmers at this time the 

 importance of fibre cultivation as an ele- 

 ment of farm practice, in the hopes that 

 languishing industries may be revived, 

 and new ones established. The best prac- 

 tice in regard to cultivation and prepara- 

 tion of the fibre has been given." 



Flax is peculiarly susceptible to influ- 

 ences of climate and soil. It requires a 

 moist climate, and for that reason the low- 

 lands of Holland and Belgium are well 

 adapted to flax. A moist, deep, strong 

 loam forms the best soil. The flax plant 

 grows from two to five feet in height, and 

 het roots penetrate deep into the ground, 



