394 



On the Cultivation of Flax. 



creased, that of the milk lessened, and finally dropped, as the 

 young anhnal increases in size. It is equally suitable, whether 

 the calf is intended for vealing or to be reared. 



In all cases where linseed is given, care should be taken to have 

 it perfectly crushed or ground into meal. The outer part or skin 

 of the seed contains a large quantity of mucilage, which water 

 causes to form in a jelly on the surface, and it becomes so slippery 

 that the animal finds it difficult to break it with the teeth, and 

 numbers of seeds are thus passed whole, the gastric juice having 

 only dissolved the gelatinous matter. For breaking the seed some 

 very efficient machines are made by the agricultural implement- 

 makers (^^5. 9, 10, and 11, p. 393) ; metal rollers, either smooth 

 or slightly grooved, being the general mode of crushing. It is bet- 

 ter, in giving the ground seed, to steep it in cold water for several 

 hours, since boiling renders it tough, while the former mode re- 

 duces the whole mass to a syrupy consistence, bursting the par- 

 ticles and thoroughly dissolving the mucilage. 



Having now finished a detailed account of the management of 

 flax both for fibre and seed, it may be advisable to present some 

 notes as to the average profits of the crop. 



It is very difficult to give a fair estimate for any kind of crop, 

 since the expenses and the proceeds are so much influenced by 

 the quality and composition of the soil, the value of labour in the 

 district, and the nature of the season ; and the difficulty is much 

 increased in the case of flax, by the extent to which the degree of 

 attention bestowed on the different operations in its management 

 influences the yield and the quality of the fibre. 



The annexed estimates, which are arranged from numerous 

 results in England and Ireland, may be taken as the average yield 

 in a favourable season, and at the average price of the fibre. 



I have thought it best to give two estimates. No. 1 being for an 

 acre, sown thinly, with a viev/ to having a large produce of seed, 

 which necessitates a coarser description of fibre, and No. 2 being 

 for an acre sown more thickly, producing less seed, but a finer 

 fibre : — 



No. 1 . Expenses on 1 Statute Acre of Flax. 



£. d. £. s. d. 

 Rent and taxes , . . . . . 1 10 0 

 Ploughing, harrowing, and rolhng . . .18 0 



2 bushels of seed, at 10^ 10 0 



Weeding, pulling, rippling, and steeping . .12 0 

 Taking from steep, spreading, turning, and lifting 112 6 

 Scutching 38 stones, at U. . . . . 1 18 0 

 Cleaning seed . . . . . .0100 



9 0 6 



