FLAX. 181 



believed to be adequate to the instruction even of tliosc who 

 have never seen a crop of growing flax. 



Some farmers may be deterred from trying this experiment, 

 by the apprehension that they may not be able to dispose of 

 their crop at maturity. I am authorized, however, by a leading 

 manufacturing firm in Worcester County, to state that they will 

 engage to take the whole product, whether of seed or straw, at 

 the market price, whatever it may be, delivered in Worcester. 

 The farmer may thus, if he desires it, avoid the whole process 

 of rotting, and save a large share of the expense of harvesting. 



It is estimated that either crop, seed or fibre, will pay for the 

 whole expense of raising and curing, thus leaving the other a 

 clear profit. 



Altliough the premiums offered contemplate an experiment 

 on not less than half an acre, the committee will be authorized 

 to recommend gratuities for experiments on less surface, which 

 shall appear worthy of such notice. Yours truly, 



John D. Washburn, Secretary. 



Selection and Preparation of the Soil. 



Like many plants, flax will grow upon most soils not absolutely 

 barren, the most favorable being a strong gravel, and it may 

 be laid down as a general statement, that any ground that will 

 grow a good crop of corn, barley, oats, or potatoes, will grow a 

 good crop. of flax. Select a piece of land upon which corn or 

 potatoes was grown the preceding year ; it should be in good 

 tilth, well ploughed and finely harrowed, as though intending 

 to seed down to grass ; after harrowing it would be well to brush 

 lightly, in order to get a level surface ; if the ground has been 

 laid off without ridges, it should be marked off into divisions 

 six to ten feet broad, in order that the seed may be put on 

 equally. 



Seed. — Care should be used in the selection of seed to pro- 

 cure a large, well-filled and shining berry, perfectly free from 

 all weed or other foreign seed ; if foreign seed should be found 

 mixed with the flax, the farmer can usually separate them with 

 a hand sieve, twelve meshes to the inch. To get the best 

 results in both seed and stem, sow five pecks per acre, but if 

 seed alone is desired, sow three pecks ; if the farmer is looking 



