Book VI. FLAX. 915 



destroyed by this degree of putrefaction ; and if the putref ic- equally detrimental tu the flax. The practice adopted in some 



tion does not arise to such a degree as to destroy the cohcbion parts of Britany seems therefore mum more rational, wliich 



of this membrane, tlie fibres of the fl^ii will adhere so strongly is, to ripple the tlax after it has lain in the air two or tliree 



to the reed, that the force necessary in scutching will prove days ; but even one day will be sufficient, if the weather is dry. 



5899. In the process of rippliyig, which is the next operation, a large cloth should be 

 spread on a convenient spot of ground, with the ripple placed in the middle of it. 



5900. In performing this business, the pods containing the seeds are forced from the stalks by means of 

 the iron comb called a ripple, fixed on a beam of wood, on the ends of which two persons sit, who, by 

 pulling the seed end of the flax repeatedly through this comb, execute the operation in a very complete 

 manner. It is remarked by the author of The Present State of Husbandry in Great Britain, that " those 

 who bestow much attention on the cultivation of flax in Scotland generally ripple off' the seed, even when 

 there is no intention of saving it; as it is found, when flax is put into water without taking oflTthe pods, 

 the water soon becomes putrid, in consequence of which the flax is greatly injured." 



5901. The majiagement of the capsules, and the sejmration of the seed, form the next 

 operation. 



5902. The capsules obtained should be spread in the sun to dry, and those which separate from the pods 

 of their own accord, being the fullest and ripest, should be set apart for sowing, in case the precaution of 

 raising some flax purposely for seed has not been attended to. The capsules are then broken, either by 

 treading or by threshing, in order to get out the remaining seeds, the whole of which, as well as the others, 

 should be carefully sifted, winnowed, and cleaned. When the seed is laid up, it must be frequently stirred, 

 or ventilated, to prevent its heating. Even this second seed affords a considerable profit, by the oil which 

 it yields, and also by being used when broken for fattening of cattle. 



5903. To facilitate the separation of the fibre from the bark, it is necessary to accelerate 

 the process of decay or putrefaction. This may be done in different ways ; but the chief 

 are bleaching alone, and steeping and bleaching. 



5904. Bleaching is a tedious and laborious operation when it is intended as a substitute for steeping, 

 but it is less likely to injure the fibre, and may be adopted on a small scale when steeping places are not 

 at hand. In Dorsetshire, a:nd some other places, flax, instead of being steeped, is what is called dew- 

 retted ; that is, the stalks are allowed to arrive at that state in which the harl or woody parts separate 

 most easily from the boon, reed, or fibre, by a more gradual process, that of ripening by the action and 

 influc'nce of the dew. This is nothing more than exposing the flax to the influence of the weather for a 

 longer period than is necessary, when the operation of watering has been previously performed. Steep- 

 ing, however, is the most universal practice both in Britain and on the Continent. 



59()5 Steeping or tcatering, however, is and will be the general practice till flax-dressing machines come 

 into universal use. In performing this operation, the flax, whether it has been dried and rippled, or pulled 

 green, is loosely tied into small bundles, the smaller the better, because it is then most equally watered; 

 and these bundles are built in the pocl in a reclining upright posture, so that the weight placed above may 

 keep the whole firmly down. The weights made use of are commonly stones placed on planks, or directly 

 on the flax. 



5906. The Flemish mode of steeping flax, as described by Radcliff, is said to improve the quality of the 

 flax ; and greatly increase its whiteness. This mode differs from the common practice, in placing the 

 bundles in the steep vertically, instead of horizontally ; in immersing the flax by means of transverse 

 sticks, with that degree of weight annexed which shall not push it down to the bottom, but leave it 

 the power to descend spontaneously towards the conclusion of the steepage ; and in leaving at first a space 

 of at least half a foot between the bottom and the roots of the flax. The spontaneous descent of the flax 

 is an indication of its being sufficiently steeped ; and the strength and quality of the fibre are said to be 

 much better preserved by this mode, in which the temperature of the atmosphere acts with most force on 

 the upper part of the plant, which needs it most 



5907. The water most proper for steeping flax should be clear, soft, and in standing pools. Compared 

 with running water, pools occasion the flax to have a better colour, to be sooner ready for the grass, and 

 even to be of superior quality in every respect. When soft, clear, stagnating water cannot be obtained 

 without art, a pit or canal is commonly formed, adjoining to a river or stream, whence water can be easily 

 brought. 1 his pit or canal is filled with water for some time (a week or two) before it is proposed to pull 

 the flax ; by this means the water acquires a greater degree of warmth than river-water possesses, which 

 contributes greatly to facilitate the object farmers have in view in immersing green flax in water, namely, 

 to make the harl or flaxy substance part easily and completely from the boon or reed. 



5908. The period that flax ought to remain in the ivater, depends on various circumstances ; as the state 

 of ripeness in which it was pulled, the quality and temperature of the water, &c. The most certain rule 

 by which to judge when flax is suflSciently watered is, when the boon becomes brittle, and the harl 

 separates easily from it. In warm weather, ten days of the watering process are sufficient j but it is proper 

 to examine the pools regularly after the seventh day, lest the flax should putrefy or rot, which sometimes 

 happens in very warm weather. Twelve days will answer in any sort of weather; though it may be re- 

 marked, that it is better to give too little of the water, than too much, as any deficiency may be easily 

 made up by suffering it to lie longer on the grass, whereas an excess of water admits of no remedy. 

 (Brown.) 



5909. Grassing or bleaching flax is the next operation, the intention of which is to rectify any defect in 

 the watering process, and carry on the putrefactive process to that point when the fibre will separate from 

 the bark, boon, reed, or harl (as the woody part of the stem is called), with the greatest ease. In perform, 

 ing this operation, the flax is spread very thin on the ground, and in regular rows ; the one being made to 

 overlap the other a few inches, with a view of preventing, as much as possible, its being torn up and scat- 

 tered by gales of wind. Old grass ground, where the herbage does not grow to any great height, is the 

 best for the purpose ; as when the flax is covered by the grass or weeds, it is frequently rotted, or at least 

 greatly injured thereby. 



5910. The time allowed for grassing is regulated by the state of the flax, and seldom exceeds ten or 

 twelve days. During this time it is repeatedly examined ; and when it is found that the boon has become 

 very brittle, so that, on being broken, and rubbed between the hands, it easily and freely parts from the 

 harl, it is taken up, a dry day being chosen for the purpose, and, being bound in sheaves, is either sent 

 directly to the mill, which is the usual practice in the northern districts, or broken and scutched by a 

 machine or implement for the purpose. 



591 1. Steeping flax in hot water and soft soap (said to be the invention of Lee, and for which he was 

 granted by parliament a secret or unenroUed patent) is said to separate the fibre from the woody matter 

 better than steeping in water simply ; and this in the short space of two or three hours, and either with 

 green flax, or such as has been dried and stacked for months or years. When flax is to be separated by 

 this new mode, the gultivator has only to pull it in handfuls, dry it, bind it into sheaves or faggots, and 

 put it up in stacks like corn, till wanted by the manufacturer. 



5012. The dressing of flax consists of various operations, such as scutching, tracking, 



3 N 2 



