209 SEPARATION AND PREPARATION 
mentation, which loosens the adherence of the constituents, or, 
at certain temperatures, by dissolving some of the constituents 
and setting free the others. Both methods are practised in 
India, in different parts; but the steeping so as to produce 
fermentation is that generally adopted, and, according to Mr. 
Deneef, well understood by the natives of India—who, indeed, 
must have long, as they now largely practise the art, from the 
quantities of Jute and of Sunnwhich they prepare by this method. 
Though not applicable in all points, especially in the time re- 
quired, from the difference of temperature, the instructions of 
the Royal Flax Society are so full, that we reprint them here, 
for comparison with the other directions. 
Watering.—This process requires the greatest care and attention. River 
water is the best. If spring water has to be used, let the pond be filled 
some weeks, or months, if possible, before the Flax is put in, that the sun 
and air may soften the water. That containing iron or other mineral sub- 
stances should never be used. If river water can be had, it need not be let 
into the pond sooner than the day before the Flax is to be steeped. The 
best size of a steep-pool is 12 to 18 feet broad, and 3} to 4 feet deep. Place 
the Flax loosely in the pool, in one layer, somewhat sloped, and in regular 
- rows, with the root end underneath; the tie of each row of sheaves to reach 
the roots of the previous one; cover with moss sods, or tough old lea sods, 
cut thin, laid perfectly close, the sheer of each fitted to the other. Before 
putting on the sods, a layer of rushes or ragweeds is recommended to be 
placed on the Flax, especially in new ponds (or packed in crates which are 
weighted down). As sods are not always at hand, a light covering of straw 
may do, with stones laid on it, so as to keep the Flax just under the water; 
and as the fermentation proceeds, additional weights should be laid on—to 
be removed as soon as the fermentation ceases, so as not to sink the Flax too 
much in the pool. Thus covered, it never sinks to the bottom, nor is 
affected by air or light. A small stream of water, allowed to run through a 
pool, has been found to improve its colour. In this case, if the pools are in 
a line, the stream should be conducted along the one side, and run into each 
pool separately, and the water of each pool run off, along the opposite side, 
ina similar manner. It will be sufficiently steeped, in an average time, 
from eight to fourteen days, according to the heat of the weather and the 
nature of the water. Every grower should learn to know when the Flax 
has had enough of the water, as a few hours too much may injure it. It is, 
however, much more frequently under-watered than over-watered. The 
best test is the following: Try some stalks of average thickness, by breaking 
the shove, or woody part, in two places, about six or eight inches apart, at 
the middle of the stalk ; catch the broken bit of wood, and if it will pull 
freely out, downwards, for that length, without breaking or tearing the fibre, 
and with none of the fibre adhering to it, it is ready to take out. Make this 
trial every six hours after fermentation subsides, for sometimes the change 
is rapid. Never lift the Flax roughly from the pool, with forks or grapes, 
but have it carefully handed out on the bank, by men standing in the water. 
Tt is advantageous to let the Flax drain twelve to twenty-four hours, after 
being taken from the pool, by placing the bundles on their root ends, close 
together, or on the flat, with the slope; but the heaps should not be too 
large, otherwise the Flax will be injured by heating. 
