Flax, 
Linum usitatissimum. Narurar Orver: Linacee —Flax Family. 
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POMPARED with plants not grown directly for food, the Flax 
is probably the most useful as well as the most ancient known 
to man. In various parts of the world it is grown in large 
quantities, forming the industry of a large population, furnish- 
ing employment both summer and winter in raising, gathering 
and caring for the crop, considerable attention being required 
in preparing the fiber for the manufacturing arts. The fields have a 
fine appearance when the Flax is in bloom, presenting an uninterrupted 
blue surface to the eye that is truly pleasing. There are some hand- 
Domestic Industry. 
HAT happiness the rural maid attends, 
In cheerful labor while each day she spends 
She gratefully receives what heaven has sent, 
And, rich in poverty, enjoys content. —Gay. 
EAT little housewife, so demure, No sound to break your gentle dream; 
Plying the needle swift and sure, Those lily hands from seam to seam 
In quiet places, Are ever stirring; 
What charm is in those darksome eyes, All hushed —as summer’s noonday hour, 
What magic in your beauty lies, When sleep the bee, and leaf, and flower— 
And lovely graces! Save pussy’s purring. 
WEETER and sweeter, Prettily plying 
Soft and low, Thread and song, 
Neat little nymph, Keeping them flying 
Thy numbers flow, Late and long, 
Urging thy thimble, Though the stitch linger, 
Thrift’s tidy symbol, Kissing thy finger, 
Busy and nimble, Quick —as it skips along. 
i To and fro; F. W. Palmer. 
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