4 FLAX CULTURE AND PREPARATION 



It is rather intended in this work to give first a general sketch 

 of the present mode of cultivation, preparation, and manage- 

 ment of flax and subsequently to describe fully the details of 

 each operation. A regular system should be followed by those 

 who cultivate flax ; attention must be paid to the nature of 

 the soil, the necessity or otherwise of manure ; the kind and 

 quality of seed, and the preparation of the land and harvesting 

 of the crop. Every process connected with the cultivation, 

 growth and preparation of flax is comparatively simple, 

 requiring the activities of a practical hand, rather than an 

 ingenious head. 



3. Modern Flax-producing Countries. The flax plant is 

 indigenous to several countries. The suitability and climate 

 of Ireland for flax cultivation is proverbial. The flax plant 

 flourishes in cold as well as in temperate climates. The best 

 flax-producing districts lie between parallels 48 to 55 N. 



Flax grown for fibre purposes in warm climates, though it 

 flourishes and produces seed of superior quality, is consider- 

 ably improved in fineness and quality of fibre when removed 

 to more temperate and cooler climates. 



The chief flax fibre-producing countries in the world are : 

 Russia, Holland, Belgium, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, 

 Austria, Canada, America and Japan. 



4. The Uses of Flax and Seed. The sheaves of flax do not 

 differ much in appearance from the sheaves of wheat, oats, 

 barley, etc., but the possibilities associated with flax cultiva- 

 tion, harvesting, preparation of fibre and seed, and their uses 

 are very numerous. Flax is not only a remunerative crop, 

 but it can also be made to provide a greater variety of vocations 

 than any other farm crop. The great variety of yarns, threads, 

 and textile fabrics manufactured from the flax fibres have 

 ever been favourites and will undoubtedly continue to be so. 

 The following are a few of the chief products from the fibres 

 of the flax plant : Linen thread for tailors' and shoemakers' 

 use ; thread for embroidery ; twine for jacquard harness 

 mounting ; lines and nets for fishermen and all kinds of cords 



