74 On the Cultivation of the common Flax. 



they must be examined daily, taking especial care that they do 

 not lie too long. As soon as the fibres are sufficiently mace- 

 rated to separate from one another freely, spread the plants 

 out to dry upon a new mown meadow. Whendry, they must 

 be again collected into bundles, and either sent to the Flax- 

 dresser, or prepared for spinning at home. In many districts, 

 this operation is well understood, and if carefully performed, 

 homespun linen from such Flax will last twice the time of 

 most of the Irish linen which is now to be purchased in the 

 shops. 



I believe it is a great error to pull the Flax so green as is 

 commonly practised, and a still greater to soak it in water, 

 before it is previously dried : for the fibres in that case re- 

 quire twice the time to macerate sufficiently for separation in 

 the dressing ; and consequently are considerably weakened. 



