274 THE FLAX CROP. 



mustard, or rape, which not only occupies the ground pro- 

 fitably, but is an excellent preparation if the succeeding 

 crop be a cereal, or for getting in turnips or any other crop 

 that may be intended to follow it. 



Both in Ireland and in Belgium clover seeds are fre- 

 quently sown down with the flax, and in the latter 

 country carrots are also met with sown in the same man- 

 ner. This practice, though very commonly seen, even in 

 well-managed farms, is only admissible when both* the 

 land and the seed are perfectly clean and free from weeds. 

 Even then it cannot be recommended, as the two crops 

 thus sown together have to struggle for the food which 

 ought, under ordinary circumstances, to be devoted to only 

 one ; and as flax has to complete its growth long before 

 the other arrives at maturity, it must suffer the most, while 

 the operation of harvesting the flax cannot be effected 

 without injury to the crop left behind it in the soil. The 

 only attention the crop requires after it has been well got 

 in, is to be kept clear of weeds. This, where it has been 

 drilled, is done by hoeing carefully either by hand or the 

 expanding horse -hoe; where broadcasted, however, it 

 must either be left untouched or carried out in a different 

 manner. In this country it is generally left to take its 

 chance. In Belgium, where manual labour is far more 

 largely and commonly employed than with us in farm 

 work, and where the extravagance of our weed-growing 

 farmers is rarely to be seen, the operation of hand 

 weeding is never omitted, and is effected in a manner 

 peculiar to the crop. As soon as the plants have acquired 

 a certain growth, and the weeds begin to show themselves, 

 suitable weather of course being selected for the work, 

 children are sent on to the field for the purpose of clearing 

 it of all surface weeds. The work is done by them on 

 their knees, which are well padded, to prevent them from 

 crushing or injuring the young and tender plants ; a small 



