THE CRIMSON FLAX. 12 
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March, and in due time the plants must. be thinned to six 
inches apart. They require no support and no special 
attention, and dryness with heat will do them no harm 
if they have been assisted in the early stages to become 
well established. 
In common with most other plants, the crimson flax 
is greatly benefited by systematic removal of the flowers 
as their beauty declines, to prevent the growth of seed. 
But if seed be wanted, they must be allowed to run their 
course, and the round seed-pods must be gathered when 
nearly ripe, and be spread in the sun under cover to finish, 
when the seed may be shelled out, and stored away ina 
paper or linen bag. 
The common flax (Linum usitalissimum), although but 
little prized as a garden plant, is not wanting in beauty. 
Its extremely light and airy style of growth, and its 
comparatively large salver-shaped blue or white flowers, 
render it an interesting if not an attractive plant. Of 
its uses it would be almost idle to speak here, because 
we could not hope in a few words to convey to the reader 
anything that is not already well known. However, at 
the risk of retailing stale news, we will briefly record 
that we have seen flax fibre prepared for the workers 
in Brussels lace, and have experienced surprise at the 
excessive care bestowed upon the business, while all 
wonder as to the high prices of the best kinds of lace 
was by the same experience taken away. The flax is 
grown with great care at Hal and Rebecque, and the 
retting is conducted with scrupulous nicety, to secure 
clean fibre of great strength. The thread for the lace is 
spun in rooms kept nearly dark, to discipline the eye and 
the fingers to the delicate task of rejecting all that is 
