FLAX SEED 



17 



The following abbreviated table of equivalents will be found 

 useful for reference. 



16. Testing Flax Seed for Moisture. To the average flax 

 grower the problem of accurately testing the flax seed for 

 moisture may appear too technical, nevertheless it is a subject 

 that should be thoroughly understood. 



Flax seed, like the flax fibre, yarns, and cloth and other 

 textile materials, possesses the property of absorbing from the 

 atmosphere and of retaining a normal or standard amount ot 

 moisture. 



As previously intimated air-dried flax seed, when stored in 

 a cool dry room, will retain or naturally absorb 10 to 10-25 per 

 cent, of moisture on the absolute dry weight of flax seed. 



When deseeded green or semi-ripe, flax seed should be air- 

 dried for fibre purposes or kiln-dried for feeding stuffs imme- 

 diately after deseeding, if fermentation or germination is to be 

 avoided. 



Small samples or quantities of capsules may be selected 

 from the bulk in store, crushed, and the seed cleaned, weighed, 

 and tested as follows 



17. Testing for Moisture in Hot Air. This method is simple, 

 effective and expeditious for small and laboratory tests. The 

 apparatus used consists of a small rectangular copper oven 

 (8f" x 8f " x 9) suitably mounted as to be capable of being 

 heated from a single or double gas ring. 



The oven is constructed with an aperture or chimney through 

 which the moisture may escape. It is also adapted to receive 

 a thermometer which may be adjusted so that the temperature 

 of the air in the oven may be read from without, on inspection. 

 The seed to be tested is carefully weighed against grain or 



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