19 



The necessity of preventing entanglement of the straw involves its careful, even 

 spreading in straight rows on suitable hay stubble or meadow sod. Grass sod or hay 

 stubble, because of its comparative cleanness and capacity for holding the most 

 moisture, is the most suitable. Clovers have this objection that the upstanding heads 

 make thei;r way through the flax straw, create unevenness of moisture distribution, 

 and cause delay and confusion in later operations. 



As a crop of fibre flax requires about as much surface for dew-retting as it occupied 

 in growth, nearby farmers are usually relied on to allow or to offer the use of hay 

 medows. The same field may usually be occupied by two or three consecutive spread- 

 ings, depending on the favourableness of the season. Kun-out meadows appear to be 

 benefited by the residues left thereon during the retting process. An idea of the 

 amount of this nourishment may be had from the fact that during the progress of 

 dew-retting the straw loses between 20 and 30 per cent of its weight. In addition to 

 this, spread flax aids in conserving moisture for the shielded grass during dry autumns, 

 and protects the roots from the scorching says of the sun. 



70* 

 6" LONG 



T\VO VIEWS OF A LIFTING CROOK. 



Curvature of handle to right (or left) at right angles to direction of crook facilitates the 

 operation of lifting the flax from the spread row into the gather ami to form a sheaf. 

 The crook saves stooping and permits the lifter to gather his sheaf at almost a walking 

 pace. Moreover, it protects the fingers from thistles, stubble, etc. The above crook 

 is adapted to a man about 5' ] 1* in height. 



So variable are the factors that affect the retting process that no stated time 

 between a few days and several weeks can be fixed in advance for turning the rows 

 of spread flax with the long straight poles used for this purpose. Likewise only care- 

 ful watching can guide one as to the proper moments for lifting the flax and storing 



