MANURES 33 



based on the fact that they have been very successful in securing 

 good results without ever resorting to the use of manures. 



Much better results are obtained by a generous treatment 

 of the soil during the period of crop rotation than by the 

 direct application of manures for the flax crop. 



Notwithstanding the deep-rooted idea that flax is a non- 

 manurial crop, numerous trials and experiments re manuring 

 or otherwise, have been carried out both for educational and 

 commercial purposes. 



Under favourable conditions of weather and soil the flax 

 seed germinates rapidly and the growth of the flax plant is 

 of comparatively short duration. Pliny, in his writings, 

 asserts that there is no vegetable production that grows with 

 greater facility. There are, however, many known vegetables 

 of more rapid growth. Generally the flax plant reaches the 

 limit of its growth in about nine or ten weeks, at which stage 

 " the lint is in the bell," (see Frontispiece). Soon after the 

 seed begins to form and the fibre to mature until the time of 

 pulling, which is usually thirteen weeks. 



The ideal flax plant develops at a uniform rate, any devia- 

 tion from this desired regularity of growth correspondingly 

 deteriorates the yield and quality of the resultant fibre. 



It is not unreasonable to assume that a knowledge obtained, 

 by either observation or analysis, of the soil, its possibilities 

 and deficiencies, together with a judicious application of 

 manures to neutralize these deficiencies, is the factor that will 

 materially contribute towards the desideratum of the equable 

 and continuous growth of the flax plant. 



The application of fertilizers containing only one element 

 of plant food at or before sowing time, or as a top dressing, 

 should only be given when the user has come to a complete 

 understanding with regard to the requirements of the par- 

 ticular soil with which he is dealing, otherwise these 

 applications are seldom successful. 



32. Nitrate of Soda. This gives the young plants a start in 

 dry weather and so obviates the natural and harmful tendency 



3 (5259) 



