288 THE FLAX CEOP. 



practised by the Romans is the same in all essentials 

 as that of the best flax district of Belgium at the present 

 day; the only advance modern times have made is in the 

 substitution of an increased and regular temperature, for 

 the lower and irregular temperature of the pools or rivers 

 in which the steeping is commonly carried on. This system, 

 introduced by Schenck in 1846, was a great improvement 

 upon the old, as we are now able to effect the operation 

 at any and all periods of the year, in a one-tenth part of 

 the time formerly required, with far more certainty as to 

 the results, and, in most cases, with increased returns 

 from the straw operated upon. 



We must, however, describe the old process before a 

 correct estimate can be formed of the advantages offered 

 by the new. The old process of "steeping" is carried on 

 differently in different countries and in different districts. 

 The oldest is probably that called " dew-retting/' in 

 which the straw is spread out thinly on the grass, and 

 carefully and regularly watered, so as to supply sufficient 

 moisture to excite and support a fermentative action in the 

 tissues of the straw. This is a very tedious process, still, 

 however, more or less practised in all flax-growing coun- 

 tries, requiring several weeks for completion, and in dry 

 seasons not practicable at all. The other and more 

 usual method is to immerse the straw either in tanks or 

 pits constructed for the purpose, or in pools or slowly- 

 running streams. In Ireland pools and tanks are more 

 generally made use of; in Belgium the streams and smaller 

 rivers are always preferred for the purpose. There, 

 especially in West Flanders, the "steeping" is carried on 

 as a distinct and separate branch of the flax industry 

 very few of the growers themselves undertaking that pri- 

 mary act of preparation of the fibre, while many send 

 their produce from a considerable distance to be steeped 

 in some of the more renowned streams. Of these the river 



