FLAX SEED 19 



Also the amount of regain on the absolute 

 dry weight required to restore it to its 



9-2 X 100 



original weight = . = 10' 1% 



yu o 



18. Sources of Supply and Varieties of Seed. Russia and 



Holland, until the year 1914, were the two chief countries in 

 the world which grew and prepared flax fibre seed. Irish 

 cultivators of the flax fibre plant, in sympathy with other 

 flax growing countries did not, generally, attempt to save 

 their flax seed for subsequent sowing or exportation. 



19. Russian Seed. The Russian seed was a collection from 

 the numerous flax growing districts in the Baltic provinces of 

 that country. The seed was purchased and sent by dealers 

 to Riga. Here it was classified according to colour, size, 

 weight, germination, and purity, and eventually shipped to 

 its respective destinations, under the generic name of Riga 

 Seed, the chief variety of which was Pernau Crown and which 

 was formerly the most sought after. 



Very little authentic knowledge is available of the pedigree 

 and methods adopted for saving and preparing the varieties 

 of Russian seed. It is variously reported that portions of 

 Russian seed are dried by the wind and sun, and that other 

 portions are dried by artificial heat. 



The seed should always be subjected to a series of exhaustive 

 tests before purchase or sowing. 



20. Dutch Seed. Holland imports from Russia the bulk of 

 the flax seed which she sows and cultivates. Riga seed is 

 first sown in the heavier soils. The seed of this crop is 

 carefully harvested, the bolls crushed, the seed cleaned and 

 denominated " Riga Child." 



In the second year a portion of the Riga Child seed is sown 

 on lighter soils the greater balance of this seed is exported. 

 Large quantities come to Ireland and are indiscriminately 

 called " Dutch Seed" The seed saved from the third crop 

 of the original Riga seed is classed in Holland as Riga 



