304 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



underground or surface water, good flax cannot thrive. Yet the soil ought 

 to be able to retain a moderate moisture. Light clays and alluvial soils 

 will also do well under proper management; but light sandy or gravelly 

 soil, and ver}' strong undrained clay, should be avoided. Flax should not 

 follow crops where much manuring has been done, as it produces many 

 weeds, and the flax fiber grows thin and poor upon the stalk. New grounds 

 produce a strong crop of flax. 



PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. 



The land should be well drained, the weeds carefully taken from it, and 

 the soil left in a fine, deep, clean state. Then the roots can penetrate into 

 the ground, and they will oftentimes to an extent equal to half the length 

 of the stem above ground. Plow in the autumn, immediately after harvest, 

 across the ridges; leave the land in this state till early spring, then plow 

 again; then give it a thorough harrowing, leaving it in a fine pulverized 

 state, taking care to remove stones and sods. Rolling is then advisable. 

 The surface should be left as smooth as possible, as the crop will then grow 

 more evenly. If the soil is very stifl", one more plowing than above named 

 may be resorted to. 



SEED AND SOWING. 



Sow seed that is plump, shining and heavy, and of the best brands. 

 Sift it clear of seeds of weeds, for by doing this a great amount of labor in 

 after weeding will be avoided. About two bushels of seed is a fair average 

 to sow per acre. It is better to sow too thick than too thin. The ground 

 being well prepared, sow the seed, giving the ground as equable a supply 

 as possible. After sowing, cover it with a seed harrow, going twice over 

 it — once up and down, and once crosswise; this spreads it more equally, 

 and avoids the small drills made by the teeth of the harrow. Finish with 

 the roller, which covers the seed about an inch; thus giving it a proper 

 depth, and insuring an even germination. Sow nothing with the flax. 



The earlier the seed is sown, the more slow and steady the growth, which 

 is desirable, as the fiber is in consequence finer. Later in the season 

 vegetation is more rapid ; the fiber grows quicker, and has not time to 

 become fine and mellow. 



CARE WHILE GROWING. 



Weeds must be carefully pulled when the plant is about three inches 

 high. If there is an appearance of a settled drought, the weeding should 

 be deferred till a later day, as by weeding then the tender roots of the 

 plant would be exposed. To get good seed for future sowing, allow some 

 to fully ripen for the purpose. 



MATURITY OF STALK. 



The fiber is in the best state before the seed is quite ripe. If it remains 

 longer uncut, the fiber is coarser. The best time for cutting is as the seeds 

 begin to change their color from a green to a pale brown color, and the 

 stalk becomes yellow for nearly or quite two-thirds of its height from the 

 ground, and to lose its leaves. If the fiber is cut too early, it is flimsy; 

 if too late, coarse. So long as the seed is in the husk it continues to ripen. 

 Cutting should only be done in dry weather. 



