THE FLAX PLANT AND FIBRE 5 



and ropes. In the manufacture of woven fabrics, flax, when 

 prepared and spun into yarns, enters into the composition of 

 lawns, cambrics, handkerchiefs, canvases, pillow cases, sheets, 

 blouses, dress linens, aprons, shirtings, collars, cuffs, surgical 

 bandages, hollands, crashes, interlinings, balloon and aero- 

 plane fabrics, and plain brown linens in all varieties of weight 

 and fineness. Large quantities of material are required for 

 the trades engaged in hemstitching, embroidery, and drawn 

 thread work, including tray and sideboard cloths. 



Towels hand and roller, include the well-known huckaback 

 and honeycomb structural standards. Bath and other towels 

 of the " Terry " or loop class, when woven with linen yarns, 

 have no compeer for drying purposes. 



Toilet cloths of superior fineness and quality of material 

 are produced in diaper and huckaback patterns. 



Decorative or woven figured fabrics include damask table 

 covers, " table tops," carving cloths, serviettes and d'oyleys 

 of the white series, but many serviceable and beautiful tapestry, 

 upholstery and fancy vestings can be and are made wholly 

 of linen or in combination with silk, wool, or cotton in two or 

 more combinations of colour. 



The miscellaneous varieties include drills for riding breeches, 

 etc., ducks for tents and sail-cloths, also buckram, scrim, and 

 lingerie textures. Lace textures composed of linen thread 

 are produced in unending varieties. 



The fruit or seed of the plant may be saved for subsequent 

 sowings and propagation of its variety and species. The 

 linseed, as it is commonly denominated, may be used as a 

 fattening product for cattle when properly prepared and 

 judiciously given. The linseed oil is extensively used in the 

 mixing of paints and varnishes because it possesses con- 

 siderable natural drying properties. It is this oil that gives 

 the characteristic beauty to linoleum. When mixed with 

 white lead, linseed oil excels every other substance in pre- 

 serving wood. The oil-cake made from the refuse after the 

 extraction of the linseed oil, possesses considerable feeding 



