290 1HE FLAX CROP. 



fastened down by cross pieces of stout wood at the top, 

 and the frame is sunk in the river to the depth of about 

 6 inches, by means of suitable weights attached. In a few 

 hours the straw has become well charged with moisture, 

 and a natural fermentation is immediately set up. In a 

 few days bubbles of gas begin to ascend and convey to the 

 surface a scum of decomposed matter, which, directly it 

 is seen, gives the operator notice that disorganization of 

 the tissues is proceeding, and that constant observation 

 and care are now needed lest it proceed too far and injure 

 or destroy the fibres of the flax, which it is the object to 

 obtain. As the process of fermentation and consequent 

 disorganization goes on, the swelling of the straw and 

 tendency of the mass to float gradually subsides, and the 

 crate or frame begins to sink deeper into the water. This 

 at once indicates that the decomposition has advanced 

 quite far enough, and that it must be arrested or injury 

 will ensue. To test this, the frame is raised and a few 

 straws withdrawn from the mass ; these are broken in two 

 places a short distance apart, and if the woody part will 

 then separate so as to be pulled out by the fingers with- 

 out breaking the fibres of the flax or drawing any of 

 them out with it, then the steeping has proceeded far 

 enough, and the flax should be at once withdrawn from 

 the frame or injury will ensue. If the steeping be allowed 

 to be carried too far, the fibre becomes weak and soft, arid 

 if it be not carried on far enough, the fibre is always harder 

 and less pliable, and a greater proportion is lost in the 

 process of scutching. This particular period is therefore 

 one of great anxiety to the operator, as upon his judgment 

 and care the quality and yield of the straw intrusted to 

 him materially depend. He watches the first indications 

 which experience has taught him to rely upon, and then 

 tests the progress of disorganization by drawing a sample 

 of the straw every four hours, until he finds that it has 



