FIBHE CROPS. ^75 



and consists of the long straight lint called flax and 

 the short tangled fibre which separates in dressing 

 from the long lint, called tow. Coarse tow is made 

 by simply removing the remaining part of the stem, 

 and baling the tangled mass. It is used in upholster- 

 ing, in making twine, bagging, paper, etc. 



Flax is almost entirely raised in the United States 

 as a seed crop. * In localities favorably situated coarse 

 tow is produced. When not used in making tow the 

 straw is allowed to rot, is burned, or stacked and 

 eaten by stock. It is sometimes said to produce in- 

 jurious results, although large quantities are eaten by 

 stock without injury to them. 



Flax may be grown in any climate where wheat is 

 grown, but for the best production of fibre requires a 

 continuously moist but not excessively wet climate. 



In the United States it is a new land crop, especi- 

 ally in spring wheat regions, where corn is rela,tively 

 less productive. This production has been sufficient 

 to supply the somewhat limited demand for seed and 

 tow. Sandy loams are rather better than clay loams, 

 although any soil adapted to cereal crops will grow 

 flax. 



It has long been known that flax could not be grown 

 continuously on the same land in some localities. 

 This has recently been shown by Lugger to be due to 

 some active principle in the plant which upon being 

 absorbed into the soil is injurious to a succeeding 

 crop of flax. At least five years should elapse before 

 flax is again sown on the same land. 



Flax {Linum usitatissimum) \» a herbaceous plant, 

 generally two or three feet high, with alternate, stem- 

 less, entire leaves. The blue flowers are produced in 



