118 FLAX CULTURE AND PREPARATION 



straw, the hinged gates, H, H 1 , H 2 and H 3 , are lowered on to 

 the tops of the beets and their free ends are securely fastened 

 by means of the plates and rod K. All the exit valves are 

 then closed and the warm water from the canal, C, is admitted 

 by opening the valves, M, and a small, constant flow of warm 

 water is admitted into the tank during the retting period. 

 The warm water enters near the surface and is drawn down- 

 wards by the releasing of one of the plugs, N, at the front and 

 bottom of the tank which designedly allows the escapement 

 of an equal volume of colder water. The water in the warm 

 reservoir canal, C, is maintained at its maximum height by 

 opening the valves, L, as required. 



Usually the retting process is completed in about six days. 



102. Legrand's Warm Water Retting. This method of retting 

 was devised and patented by M. Lucien Legrand, Mariaburg- 

 Eckeren, Belgium. It consists essentially of a retting vat, 

 constructed with concrete walls, 7 to 8 ft. deep and 6 in. 

 thick. It is normally made with four separate divisions but 

 is capable of considerable extension. 



The flax beets are placed into the chambers, two or three 

 tiers in height, and here maintained between a lower per- 

 forated grating, free from accumulation of acid solution, 

 sediment, and products of fermentation, and an upper wooden 

 grating adjusted and fixed at a convenient height to prevent 

 the flax rising above the surface of the water. 



Placed immediately above the retting vats is a reservoir tank 

 of warm water, from which the vats are filled and kept supplied 

 at an even temperature. This reservoir tank is in constant 

 communication with a heating apparatus or boiler which, in 

 turn, receives its supply of fresh or cold water from a higher 

 storage tank. 



The period of retting varies with the temperature, which 

 may reach 32 C. and the retting may be completed in five days. 



The chief features of the apparatus and its construction are 

 illustrated by the following line diagrams- 

 Fig. 68 illustrates a suggestive method of water and heat 

 supply. 



