SPREADING AND LIFTING FLAX. 33 



principle, if the matter were placed in proper hands ; scientific 

 men, such as Sir R. Kane, who have made the Flax plant 

 their study. 



GRASSING, OR SPREADING, AND LIFTING. 



After the Flax is removed from the steep, the next opera- 

 tion is that of Grassing, or Spreading, as some term it. 

 This process is not only requisite in order that the water may 

 be finally drained off and extracted from the plants by the 

 heat of the sun and current of air, but if the Flax be not 

 sufficiently watered, the damp grass (as it is generally on new 

 mown meadow or grass land, well cleaned, that it is spread), 

 and the dews at night will help to finally finish it ; and it will 

 be found to take from six to twelve days on the grass, ac- 

 cording as it has been watered before it was ready for lifting. 

 If spread on pasture ground all docks, thistles, ragweeds, &c., 

 should be mowed clean off, so that the Flax may be even and 

 thinly spread on the grass, as that will assist its being gathered 

 up evenly, and tied in sheaves when finished ; but, as the sun 

 changes the colour unless it gets to it all equally, it should be 

 turned every other day while on the grass with a rod about 

 seven or eight feet long, and one inch and a half round ; if it 

 be turned before rain (if rain should happen to be near) 

 all the better, as rain settles it on the grass, keeps it from 

 being blown about, and facilitates the finish of this process. 

 When it is ready for lifting the wood will easily break, and if 

 it separate from the fibre readily, leaving it unbroken, it has 

 had sufficient of the grass, sun, and air, but if near to a Flax 

 scutching mill, a sheaf should be cleaned before it is lifted, 

 unless a practical person has seen it, and is confident of its 

 being finished. 



