54 3TLA.X. 



" The only real difficulty connected with the cultiva- 

 tion, growth, and preparation of flax in Norfolk, has arisen 

 from the want of suitable steeping accommodation ; and, 

 consequently, much flax has been injured both in colour 

 and quantity, a difficulty which the Belgians obviate by 

 sending their flax to places adapted to this particular 

 branch of the business ; distance being immaterial com- 

 pared with the advantages derived. The water of the 

 river Lys, to the extent of many miles along its banks, is 

 the most celebrated depository for flax. Steeping is, to 

 hundreds of men, a regular trade. Two, or more, unite 

 in the possession of a number of crates, adapted to a given 

 expanse of water, for which they pay no rent, and are 

 protected by the Government from the interference of 

 shipping. The crates are about twelve feet long, eight 

 wide, and three deep. They are simply constructed, and 

 made of common poles. One of my men, Joseph Fieux, 

 was a joint owner of forty-five. He says that farmers 

 send their flax as far as forty miles by land to be steeped ; 

 some, by water, from Holland, even much longer distances. 

 The sheaves, tied with double, and oftener with triple, 

 bands, are placed erect in the crates. The root-ends of 

 one-half of a sheaf are tied to the boll-ends of the other, 

 in order to make the bundle even and convenient for 

 stowage in the crate, which, when filled, is floated into 

 deep water, and sunk with stones to about six inches 

 below the surface. After a short time, some of the stones 

 are removed, to prevent the crate from touching the 

 bottom of the river. 



" When ready to be removed, the bundles are placed 

 upon the banks a few hours, to drain. Afterwards they 

 are untied, and formed into what are called caps, not un- 

 like miniature soldiers' tents. The rapidity with which 

 this operation is performed is perfectly astonishing ; for 

 in a few minutes a whole field will assume the appearance 

 of a Liliputian camp. By this means, the stalks are 

 quickly dried, collected into bundles, and sent home. 



"Where the process of bleaching or grassing is con- 

 ducted by the owner at his leisure, that is to say, if not 



