SAVING THE FLAX SEED 81 



deseeding. Fig. 37 shows a photograph of a flax field in which 

 the beets are made of crossed handfuls and arranged in stocks 

 as just described. 



B. As a second and alternative method the handfuls of 

 pulled flax may be placed, without being tied into beets, in 

 an inclined position against a straight rod R, 9 to 12 ft. in 

 length and 1 to 1 J in. in thickness. This rod may be sup- 

 ported in a horizontal position . upon the tops of two stout 

 upright stakes, driven into the ground and notched at the top 

 so as to freely receive the horizontal rod which may be of wood 

 or iron ; when more convenient, strong ropes or wire are some- 

 times stretched between the upright posts. The handfuls of 

 green flax should be separately shaken or opened out when 

 being placed against the horizontal rod. The root ends of 

 the flax of each side should be about two feet apart. These 

 arrangements facilitate the free circulation of the air between 

 the flax stems. This method, which is sometimes denomin- 

 ated the " Long Gait," is illustrated by a pen and ink sketch 

 of the plants as they stand in the " gait," at Fig. 38. 



The foregoing arrangement necessitates the use of a con- 

 siderable number of stakes, rods, etc., but in favourable weather 

 the straw can be completely dried without having to be turned 

 and in unfavourable weather the gaits will resist well the 

 wind and rain. 



C. A third method is sometimes adopted by making large 

 beets and standing them up in the form of cones as illustrated 

 at Fig. 39. This method is denominated the " Round or 

 common gait." (See also Fig. 73.) The handfuls of flax are 

 spread out on the ground in an arc of a circle, with their heads 

 turned towards the centre. The stalks are then lifted from the 

 centre and formed around the worker's leg into the desired 

 cone shape with their root ends projecting at the base as 

 illustrated. The round gaits must be turned at least once, 

 and if blown down, they must be immediately lifted into their 

 standing position. 



Given moderately fine weather, the capsules and seeds for 



& (5259) 



