136 



FLAX CULTURE AND PREPARATION 



these are reduced and bevelled, on the striking side, to a much 

 finer edge ; the width is 6 to 7 in. but tapered to 3 or 4 ins. 

 at the point. 



The reductions and bevelling vary considerably, and are 



FIG. 89 



usually performed by the scutchers themselves, and in 

 accordance with their own ideas. 



The blades are adjusted to the stock, from f to \ in. for 

 buffing and 1 to 1 \ in. for finishing and cleaning, according to 

 the quality of the material. 



The Belgian scutch wheel is constructed with twelve blades, 

 each 27 in. long and projecting about 12 in. beyond the 

 periphery of the outer of two steel rings to which they are 

 adjusted and attached. These rings are riveted to an iron 



