DECORTICATION 71 



retting is done in either still or running water. Flax and 

 hemp steeped in rivers is usually of a nice yellow colour and 

 much appreciated by spinners. Flax and hemp steeped in 

 still water is of a darker colour, but of good spinning 

 quality if the water be soft and stagnant and free from 

 mineral salts in solution. The best results are obtained 

 when the straw or stems are protected from contact with 

 the earthy sides of the dam or from floating scum, by straw, 

 and placed in openwork crates or baskets. Ten to fifteen 

 days, according to the temperature, is required by the steeping 

 process. 



In the Courtrai district of Belgium, where the finest flax 

 which the world produces is steeped in the sluggish waters 

 of the River Lys, the factors prefer to steep their flax for 

 a comparatively short period the first year and then to dry 

 and store it until the following year, when they complete 

 the retting process. The greatest care is necessary lest the 

 retting process go on too long, as the fibre is thereby weakened. 

 When it is found that the fibre separates easily from the 

 woody matter, the stems are removed from the water and 

 spread out to dry upon the ground. 



In India, jute is steeped in a like manner either in running 

 water or in retting dams. Fermentation in this case occupies 

 about ten days, when the bundles of stalks are withdrawn. 

 Jute fibre can be separated from the stalk by hand at the 

 same time as it is being lifted from the dam. The natives, 

 standing waist deep in the water, strip off the bark, wash the 

 fibre, wring it out and hang it up to dry on lines. 



Dew-retting consists in spreading the freshly pulled flax 

 or hemp straw lightly over the field and allowing it to remain 

 there until the action of the sun, rain and dew has accom- 

 plished the partial dissolution of the gummy matter which 

 binds the fibre to the wood. 



Even when the straw is water- retted it should be"grassed," 

 or spread upon a meadow in a similar manner after it has 



