9 . YORKSHIRE. 73 



the firft quality, the time of pulling is when 

 the feeds are fully formed, but not yet ripe. 

 If the/<*J be fuffered to mature, the quality 

 pf the flax is lowered ; the filaments are 

 harfh, and the cloth made from them will 

 not take a good colour in whitening. 



The " pulling" is done by taking the full- 

 fizejd plants near the top and drawing them 

 up, or rather breaking them off by the roots. 

 One hand is ufed in pulling, while the [other 

 is employed in receiving the handfuls, until 

 as much is collected as both hands can grafp.' 

 Some fhort underling plants are then ga- 

 thered for a band, and thus a Iheaflet is 

 formed. 



Thefe Iheaflcts are collected into heaps, 

 and immediately taken to the wtering-pit, in 

 which they are completely imaiergcd ; firft 

 by treading, and afterwards by loading them 

 with iods or other heavy materials. 



The immerfion is, or ought to be, care- 

 fully attended to; for that which happens to 

 be expofed above the furface of the water is 

 materially injured. 



The " fteeping" is continued a longer or 

 ihorter time, according to the weather and 



other 



