124 FLAX CULTURE AND PREPARATION 



spread. (See Fig. 65.) The fibre decomposes more than the 

 woody matter when on the grass, for which reason if it remains 

 too long in that situation it rots, especially in parts, if it is 

 unevenly spread. The flax should be carefully lifted and kept 

 straight with all the root ends square, immediately the drying 

 is complete. 



105. Gaiting. This method is illustrated at Fig. 73. The 

 flax is set up in small beets, at first, with their butt ends resting 

 on the ground, and spread out so as to form a cone shape, as 

 shown in the illustration. (See also Fig. 39.) If the weather 

 is unsettled this method is undoubtedly better than spreading. 



When the outside of the beet is fairly dry it should be turned, 

 sometimes the outsides of two adjacent beets are put together 

 when nearly dry. The period of drying depends chiefly on 

 the weather; it is essential that the beets should be kept in 

 their erect position. 



The flax is ready for taking from the field, after spreading 

 or gaiting, when the fibre rises from the stem. 



105a. Relative Equivalents of Fahrenheit and Centigrade 

 Temperature 



Freezing Point. Boiling Point. 



Fahrenheit . . 32 212 



Centigrade . . 100 



. ' . Divisions or degrees on the two thermometers 



F 180 9 F 



" c 100 "" 5~c 



p o 



also F == + 32 

 5 



and,C == (F-32)- 

 Example. Given 30 Centigrade convert it to Fahrenheit. 



OA vx Q 



Then F - X + 32 =*= 86 

 5 



and conversely C = (86 - 32) - =30. 



