On tho Cultivation of Flax. 



379 



It will therefore be necessary, in almost all cases, to have recourse 

 to the third method, viz. steeping in pools or pits filled with 

 water. 



In selecting a site for a steep-pool there are many points to be 

 taken into consideration. The first, of course, will bs its position 

 with respect to a supply of good water. Water fit for steeping 

 flax should be perfectly free from any ferruginous particles ; after 

 it has flowed over soil containing any metallic deposit, soluble in 

 water, it is quite unfitted for steeping flax, as it invariably dis- 

 colours the fibre, and the stain cannot be eifectually removed by 

 bleaching. Again, what contains carbonate of lime in quantity, or, 

 as it is familiarly term.ed, hard water, and spring water in general, 

 are unsuitable. The best description of water is such as has flowed 

 for some distance exposed to the action of the air, which mellows 

 it, and allows the impurities to subside. The pool should, there- 

 fore, be so placed that water can be admitted into it from a river, 

 brook, or small stream. As flax is improved by a very gentle 

 current flowing over it while in steep, so as merely to carry off 

 the scum v/hich rises to the surface, it is advisable to try to make 

 this available by a careful regulation of the source of supply. 

 Water which has flowed over peat, or has lain on peaty soil for 

 some time, is very good for rotting flax, the antiseptic properties 

 of the peat correcting the usual defects of stagnant water — that is, 

 provided no bog fir-resin exists in it, which is injurious. A pool 

 38 feet long, 3^ to 4 feet deep, and 10 feet broad, will contain 

 the produce of an acre of flax. The description of soil forming 

 the bottom of the pit influences the colour of the fibre. A clay 

 bottom gives a yellowish-white tinge, alluvial soil a bluish shade, 

 while peat often gives a very pure \^hite. If no river or other 

 running water be available, and spring water must be used, it 

 should be let into the pit six weeks before the flax is put in ; it 

 will then have time to fine and soften by the action of the air 

 and sun, and the deposition of any calcareous sediment. Running 

 water need not be let into the pit until a day or two previous to 

 the steeping. It is advisable to cut a small drain, at the distance 

 of a few feet from the pool on every side, and about 6 or 8 inches 

 deeper than it, to intercept any water which might filter from the 

 soil into the pool, and prove injurious to the flax. 



The flax, after rippling, should be immediately placed in the 

 steep-pool ; the sheaves are packed loosely, resting on their butt 

 ends, and a lircle sloped. It is considered best to put but one 

 layer in the pool, though two are often packed, for the convenience 

 of retting a larger quantity at a time. When a plentiful supply 

 of the best water is at hand, many persons pack the flax in the 

 pit before letting in the water ; the only advantage in this is, that 

 it enables the workers to place the flax more regularly. If the crop 



