86 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



the seed-bed may be prepared by disking and harrowing in a manner 

 similar to preparing the land for oats. In recent years a seed drill has 

 been used for seeding flax with good results. The seed should be covered 

 from one-half inch to an inch deep. 



Thin seeding encourages the branching of the plants and within 

 reasonable limits encourages large yields of seed. On land foul with weeds 

 it is better, however, to seed somewhat thicker to prevent weed develop- 



A'FiELD OF FLAX IN BLOOM. i 



ment. When flax is grown chiefly for the fiber one and a half to two 

 bushels of seed per acre are used. 



Harvesting and Threshing. Flax may be harvested either with the 

 self-rake reaper or self-binder. When harvested with the reaper the gavels 

 should be rolled and set upright. The heads become entangled in such a 

 way as to hold the rolled gavels together. The straw is frequently so short 

 that it is necessary to cut as close to the ground as possible, and this calls 

 for a level seed-bed that will facilitate close cutting with machinery. 

 When cut with the binder the bundles should be set in small, loose shocks 

 to facilitate drying. The highest quality of seed for market demands 

 threshing from the shock as soon as it can be safely done. 



Threshing is done with the ordinary threshing machine and necessi- 



1 Courtesy of Webb Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minn. From "Field Crops," by Wilson and 

 Warburton. 



