where it remains motionless, pressing upward all the time more or 

 less. The outlet, and inlet are next regulated so as to insure the 

 water being suitably renewed and maintained approximately at 

 the same level. The changes which occur in the retted mas may be 

 set down as follows : The water surrounding the stalks dissolves 

 the various vegetable substances, some of which are naturally 

 soluble, while others become so successively under the action of 

 fermentation. Thin streams of heavy juice are thus formed which 

 flow down the stalks and slowly cross the layer of fresh water 

 below the retting mass, and this without mixing with it, owing to 

 the extreme slowness of their motion. On the bottom of the tank 

 these then form a layer of dirty and denser water, while at the 

 same time the fresh water of the upper layer works its way up 

 into the retting straw, also in the form of thin streamlets, which 

 take the place of the decending ones. Owing to the vertical posi- 

 tion of the stalks and the equal pressure all over the tank, these 



Flax Storage and Retting Ponds 



movements take place with equal facility throughout. As regards 

 textile straw, this system is therefore characterized by the vertical 

 circulation of the water under the influence of gravitation alone. 

 This circulation, consisting of the natural fall of the heavy juice 

 and the corresponding rise of the fresh water takes place uniform- 

 ly and to the exclusion of every other motion in all parts of the 

 retting mass. 



Some of the claims of merit put forth by the inventors, which 

 in a majority of cases are based on experience, may be enumer- 

 ated as follows: (1) The possibility of natural retting in run- 

 ning water. That is to say, the best possible retting in whatever 

 water is obtainable. (2) The greatest uniformity obtainable in 

 retting. (3) Larger yield of fiber. (4) Results certain and in- 

 variable. (5) The saving of labor. (6) Limits the water con- 



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