62 FLAX CULTURE AND PREPARATION 



owing to the ravages of the flea beetle and also of an unrecog- 

 nised insect. One of the chief diseases which attacks the 

 flax plant during its growth is a fungus which causes yellowing, 

 and is known by that name. Other diseases denominated 

 flax wilt and flax rust are due to species of micro-organisms 

 which are probably the retting bacteria normally located in 

 the flax stem but prematurely active. 



