CHAPTER V 



PREPARATION OF THE LAND 



38. Preparation of the Land. 39. Conditions of Prepared Soil. 

 40. Ploughing and Grubbing. 41. Harrowing and Rolling. 42. 

 Methods of Procedure. 



38. Preparation of the Land. Manifestly it is impossible to 

 germinate the comparatively small flax seed in soil which is 

 hard and lumpy without materially reducing the germination 

 percentage of the flax seed. 



In the preparation of the land ploughing, cross-ploughing, 

 or alternatively grubbing followed by harrowing and rolling 

 are necessary. 



The attention devoted to this section of the work by the 

 cultivator will materially develop most of the food properties 

 that would otherwise lie dormant in the soil. A suitable 

 combination of the above operations should be made and 

 repeated until the ground is thoroughly pulverized into a 

 perfectly fine tilth. 



The rapidity of the growth of the flax plant involves 

 a corresponding and constant nourishment, otherwise the 

 development of the plant and fibre may be checked. When- 

 ever the plant is erratic in its growth the resultant fibre is 

 irregular and the yield of scutched material is reduced. 



39. Conditions of Prepared Soil. The prepared soil, in 

 addition to being sufficiently fine in texture, must also be firm 

 and sufficiently porous to allow of percolation or capillary 

 attraction, and impart strength and stability to the growing 

 plants. If the soil is loose and unstable the stem cannot stand 

 erect nor be able to offer an elastic resistance. When properly 

 worked, the roots of the individual plants penetrate deeply 

 and perpendicularly into the soil and thereby each plant is 

 in a position to receive its maximum food supply within its 

 limited area. 



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