276 THE FLAX CKOP. 



of a globular form, with the top surface slightly drawn up 

 to a point. On opening them, from six to ten (more com- 

 monly the latter number) cellular divisions are seen, each 

 occupied by a seed, which at first is a colourless integu- 

 ment, enveloping a watery mucilaginous matter. On 

 examination in a day or two, it will be found to have 

 assumed a more solid consistence, and the seed to have 

 changed to a pale green colour. This is the first point to 

 be noticed, and not a day should now pass without ob- 

 serving the changes that take place, as these changes form 

 the criteria by which the period of harvesting the crop 

 should be regulated. In Belgium and we instance that 

 country, as the flax cultivation has a higher importance 

 there and receives far more attention than with us the 

 way they proceed is this: A full-grown plant is selected, 

 and the best matured and ripest capsule is taken. This 

 is cut across with a sharp knife, and the section of the 

 seeds examined. If they have become firm inside, and 

 the outside has assumed a good deep green colour, the 

 plant is considered fit for immediate pulling. At this 

 time the entire plant will exhibit signs of its approaching 

 maturity the bottom of the stalk will be seen to have 

 assumed a yellowish tint, and have become much harder 

 to the touch than it was before, good indications of an 

 interruption to the circulation of the juices of the plant. 

 If this altered condition be allowed to go on by the plant 

 remaining in the ground, the change of colour will rapidly 

 make its way up the stem until it reaches the capsules, 

 and then the seeds will be found to be fully matured, 

 quite hard, and to have assumed the dark colour with 

 which we are so familiar in the market samples. The 

 next stage of the plant would be the bursting of the seed- 

 vessels and disjection of their contents, and the decay of 

 the entire plant; but to preserve both seed and fibre, the 

 plant should be harvested at the earlier stage, at which 



