60 CORDAGE FIBRES 



very essential. Rolling precedes sowing, so that clods may 

 be broken up and a fine seed-bed prepared. 



Good seed is essential to success. In Ireland Dutch seed 

 has been found the most suitable for heavy land, and Riga 

 seed for medium. Good seed is heavy, plump and glossy, and 

 weighs about 56 Ib. per bushel. 



About 2 bushels of seed are usually sown broadcast per 

 statute acre. The seed is then rolled in and with a favourable 

 temperature comes up in from seven to nine days. As the 

 plant approaches maturity, the stalks turn yellow, the seed 

 bolls change from green to a pale brown, the leaves begin to 

 fall off the lower part of the stem. The state of the seed 

 capsule is the best guide as to the proper time for pulling. 

 The seed capsule when cut across with a sharp knife should 

 show the contents to be of a green shade and firm. When 

 this stage of maturity has arrived there should be no delay in 

 pulling, as the seed will, with the heat of the sun, quickly draw 

 away from the stem the most nutritive substances, leaving the 

 fibre dry and husky. 



In Ireland retting is effected in dams, but is frequently 

 spoiled by unsuitable water, or by the admission of fresh water 

 while fermentation is in progress. The average cost of pro- 

 ducing an acre of flax in Ireland may be made up as follows : 



s. d. 



Rent and taxes i 14 6 



Seed i 5 o 



Preparing the land ... ... i 3 o 



Sowing ... ... ... ... o 7 6 



Weeding ... ... ... ... o 5 o 



Pulling ... ... ... ... oio 6 



Retting ... ... ... ... o 5 6 



Grassing ... ,.. ... ... 012 o 



Scutching ... ... ... ... i 13 o 



7 J 6 o 



