380 



On the Cultivation of Flax, 



has grown of uneven lengths, each length, as before remarked, 

 should be kept separate, and steeped in a different pool, or a dif- 

 ferent part of the same pool. The flax must be covered from the 

 light by sods, with the grassy side underneath, or long wheaten 

 straw, kept down with stones or heavy logs of wood. The object 

 is to keep the flax entirely under the water, and yet not resting 

 on the bottom of the pool. When it begins to ferment, or " take 

 with the water," the latter becomes turbid and discoloured, and 

 gas is evolved with an unpleasant odour. This, although dis- 

 agreeable, is quite innoxious, and the Belgians even say that 

 during the ravages of the cholera the steeping districts suffered 

 least. The water poisons fish ; but in small quantities, or much 

 diluted, it cannot injure cattle, since they are often allowed to 

 drink in the Lys, at a time when it is filled with flax for miles in 

 extent. Alder-leaves are sometimes put in the flax-pools in 

 Holland, to give the flax a bluish tinge ; the Flemish frequently 

 cover the flax with the mud of the pits, which also gives a blue 

 colour. 



When the decomposition is general, some additional weights 

 must be placed on the flax as it rises and swells in the water ; a 

 thick scum appears on the surface, containing the grosser par- 

 ticles of the gummy matter, and this should, if practicable, be 

 gently floated away by a slight stream trickling over the pool. 



The time necessary for flax to remain in steep, so as thoroughly 

 to separate the fibres from the gum, and to arrest the putrefactive 

 fermentation before it injures their strength, is entirely dependent 

 on the nature of the flax, the state of the atmosphere, and the 

 quality of the water. Six days is the minimum, twenty the 

 maximum for this eff*ect. In sultry weather, especially if there 

 be occasional gentle rains, with a humid atmosphere, the decom- 

 position is rapid, and is greatly retarded by cold nights.* Fine 

 flax is more easily watered than coarse. When ready to take out 

 it will be observed to sink in the pool, but it requires a much 

 more careful examination from time to time. The test in Hol- 

 land is as follows : — A few stalks of average fineness are selected, 

 and are broken in two places a few inches apart ; if the inner 

 part or wood will then pull easily out with the fingers, and does 

 not break the fibre or drag any of it with it, the flax is considered 

 sufficiently watered; if allowed to remain longer, the fibre is 

 injured, and becomes weak and cottony; if taken out sooner than 



* A patent has been taken out by an American for steeping flax in 

 water placed in wooden vats, with false bottoms, which are perforated with 

 holes. Underneath is placed a coil of pipes, into which steam is intro- 

 duced, and the water heated. A medium temperature of 90° is maintained, 

 and the flax is sufficiently steeped in 50 to 70 hours. This advantage 

 arises from the avoidance of alterations in the temperature of the water. 



