154 CULTURE IN FLANDERS. 
to produce the best Flax. In such the plant springs up to a 
height of thirty or forty inches, in a straight, slender stem, with 
few or no branches, and only two or three seed-vessels to each 
stalk.” Thick sowing produces the same effect. 
So, also, Mr. Nichol: “ Flax will bear a good deal of mois- 
ture, and, in fact, thrives best in a moist climate. Hence the 
peculiar suitableness of England for its growth; our climate 
being generally more humid than that of the Continent, 
especially in the Western counties. Indeed, long-continued 
drought is the chief enemy the flax-grower has to dread.” 
(p. 447.) 
The hot summers of Russia and Egypt cause a dryness and 
brittleness of fibre, and prevent its retaining that elasticity, 
pliancy, and oiliness which characterise the Flaxes of Belgium, 
Holland, and Ireland. 
“In Egypt, though the plant attains great luxuriance in the 
rich alluvial soil of the Nile, yet the fibre does not attain fine- 
ness and softness, and, notwithstanding the efforts made to im- 
prove the culture and preparation, its value has not exceeded 
£A4 per ton.” . 
Culture—In connection with the climate we may notice 
peculiarities of culture in different countries. 
“In Flanders a great variety of crops are raised; the farms 
being for the most part small—the majority varying from eight 
or ten to twenty and thirty acres.” (p. 448.) ‘“ Every Belgian 
farmer, whether large or small, grows Flax sufficient to keep 
himself and his people employed when not at work on the 
land.” 
The cultivation of Flax in Flanders is conducted with the 
greatest care. The ground is well ploughed, rolled, enriched 
with liquid manure, harrowed, and when the seed is sown 
again harrowed in with a light harrow, and the surface rolled. 
The fields when thus accurately prepared display an extreme 
degree of neatness and smoothness. The liquid manure is 
prepared with considerable care. It consists of the urine of 
cattle in which rape-cake has been dissolved, and in which the 
cleansings of privies from the neighbouring towns and villages 
have been mixed; and is collected in subterranean vaults of 
brick work, About 2800 gallons (beer measure) are allowed to 
the English acre. 
