VI CONTENTS. 



THE MELILOT CROP. 



PAGE 



Species and botanical characters, , . . . . . 249 



BIRDSFOOT-TREFOIL CROP. 

 Botanical characters of, .... .251 



THE COMFREY CROP. 



Cultivation and chemistry of, ..... 255 



THE FLAX CROP. 



Importance of special crops, . " . . . . . 257 



Early history of, . . ... . . 259 



Botany of flax, ........ 261 



Species cultivated, . . . . . . 263 



Perennial species recommended, . . . . .265 



Character of soils suitable, .... . . . 267 



Place in the rotation Examples, ..... 269 



Selection of the seed, . . . .. . 271 



Quantity of seed Time of sowing, . . . . .273 



Tillage treatment Time of harvesting, .... 275 



Mode of harvesting, . . . . . . .277 



Machine for pulling flax Mowing, &c., . . . .279 



Belgian mode of stacking, . . . . . .281 



Separation of the seed Rippling, . . . . . 283 



Processes of preparation discussed, ..... 287 



Belgian practice of steeping, . . . . 289 



Steeping process described, . . . . . .291 



Schenck's process described, . . . . . .293 



Application of chemical solvents, . . . . .295 



Steaming process described, . .... 297 



The hot-water process, . . . . . . 299 



Results of improved processes, ..... 301 



Process of breaking and scutching, ..... 303 



Treatment of green flax, . . . . . .305 



Diseases and injuries to which it is liable, .... 307 



Chemistry of crop, . . . . . . . 309 



Not an exhausting crop, . . . . . .311 



Preparation of oil-cake, . . . . . .313 



Composition of oil-cakes, . . . . . .315 



Feeding value of oil-cakes, ...... 317 



Consumption of linseed-cake, ...... 319 



Characteristics of good oil-cake, . . . . .321 



Detection of adulterations, . 323 



