TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION M. 769 
ordinary commercial linseed is quite unsuitable, owing to its mixed origin, 
impure condition, and low vitality. For linseed 14 to 2 bushels of seed—a good 
sample has a bushel weight of 56 lb.—according to the variety, is sufficient, as 
it is desirable to encourage the branching of the plants; while for flax more 
seed is sown to secure plants with stems free from branches. It is not yet 
certain whether an early-sown crop gives a better yield. For the present the 
period from the middle of April to the middle of May is recommended as the 
best time to sow linseed. ‘lhe seed may be broadcasted or drilled, preferably 
on a rolled surface, and should be lightly covered in. The breeding and selec- 
tion of suitable strains of linseed—that is, those rich in oil and of good yielding 
capacity—is an urgent necessity, and the question of change of seed and the 
treatment of the seed as a safeguard against diseases must be gone into. Weeds 
must be rigorously excluded, especially dodder and charlock, by sowing pure 
seed on clean land and by weeding, as owing to the limited range of the foliage 
of the crop they develop more rapidly than in the case of other crops. The ad- 
vantage of growing linseed after a ‘ root’ crop is quickly realised on ‘foul’ land. 
Linseed is unusually free from insect attacks, but the wireworm may do 
much damage to the young plants. Birds are often troublesome. The diseases 
known as ‘ yellowing’ and ‘ wilt,’ ascribed to various causes but most probably 
due to fungi, may do serious injury to the linseed crop, particularly the ‘ wilt,’ 
which is supposed to give rise to ‘flax-sick’ soil. The contention that linseed 
has a detrimental effect on crops which succeed it is as yet not borne out in 
practice. 
The ripening of linseed is indicated by the decaying of the leaves, the 
yellowing of the straw and capsules, and the gradual change in the colour of 
the seed, which should be bright, brown, and plump when ready for cutting. 
When ‘ dead’ ripe the crop is almost leafless, and has a dull dark brown appear- 
ance, while the seed is a glossy deep-brown colour and rattles in the capsules 
when the plant is shaken. The crop must be cut before the latter stage is 
reached, or much loss of seed occurs in harvesting. ‘The mode of cutting (if 
very short it may be best to pull the crop) depends on the length of straw, 
and whether the crop has ‘lodged’ or not. For small areas a hook or scythe 
may be used, but when the acreage of linseed is extensive the reaper will be 
employed. The crop must be thoroughly dried before being carried, as damp- 
ness is fatal to the quality of the linseed. 
The flail may be used for threshing small quantities of linseed, although a 
little seed is unavoidably left in the straw. The ordinary threshing machine is 
not efficient, and a special machine worked by a farm gas, oil, or petrol engine 
is to be tried this year. When clean, straight, undamaged linseed straw is 
required, the capsules may be removed by rippling, and crushed to extract the 
seed. The usual winnowing machine, provided with special screens, will free the 
linseed from refuse, and the clean seed must be stored in a cool dry place. 
Special care must be taken to secure dryness during storage, as linseed is 
damaged very easily by moisture. The linseed chaff may be fed to dairy cows 
and breeding ewes, but it is unsuitable for young stock. 
The disposal of the straw is the chief difficulty, but recent improvements 
in machinery have resulted in its use as a source of fibre for industrial pur- 
poses. It is a valuable packing and thatchiny material, and is useful as a 
bottom layer for stacks and covered stock-yards. 
The cost of production on a well-managed farm of medium land should not 
exceed 6/. to 7/. per acre, and a yield of 20 to 30 bushels of grain and 25 to 
35 cwt. of straw may be expected when a suitable variety is sown, which, having 
regard to the high price of linseed, linseed meal, and linseed cake, is a paying 
crop. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. The Value conferred on Dung by Cake Feeding. 
By A. D. Hatz, F.B.S. 
1913. 3D 
