452 



Oji the Cultivation of Flax. 



and if similarly treated, there can be no reason why our Enolish 

 flax should not be in all respects as good as is there produced. 



If steeping establishments under the charge of persons skilled 

 in that particular department, were formed in eligible situations, 

 the neighbouring farmers would bring their flax for steeping on 

 their own account, whenever they deemed this more advantageous 

 than selling it to a factor, as in some, if not in most cases, it pro- 

 bably would be. With reference to these stations, I must not 

 omit to state that it has been proved by experience, that fish are 

 not affected by the steeping of flax when it is freed from seed — a 

 fact of some importance to the owners of lakes and ornamental 

 waters, who may allow flax to be steeped therein, without danger 

 of injury to the fish. 



The value of an acre of standing flax has been variously esti- 

 mated. In Belgium it is said to be from 19Z. to 25Z. In Somer- 

 setshire, where most of our English flax has of late years been 

 grown, it is estimated at 21/.; and in Ireland as high as 27L 

 These estimates appear high, and are probably somewhat in 

 excess ; but it may on the whole, I think, be reasonably assumed, 

 that an acre of flax, if well grown and of fair medium quality, is 

 worth between 15Z. and 20Z. to the grower, including the seed. 

 What deduction should be made in dealing with a factor, in case 

 the farmer decides upon selling his crop standing, the factor 

 taking all the risk and expense of preparing it for market, must of 

 course depend very much upon local circumstances, and be a 

 matter of arrangement between the parties at the time.* 



2. Preparation of the Fibre. 



Assuming that the flax has been pulled as directed under the 

 last head, each handful being laid separate in rows on the ground, 

 the bolls of one handful by the roots of the other, and all kept 

 perfectly even at the root ends — the next thing to be done is 



Stooking. — In doing this, the long and the short flax must be 

 kept apart, in separate stooks. Women and children are employed 

 to carry the handfuls to the stooker, who sets them up in rows, 

 with the bolls resting against each other, and the root ends extend- 

 ing outwards in the form of the letter A. The stooks may be made 

 of any length most convenient, each end being strapped together 

 by a few stalks of the flax, t ) prevent their being blown down ; 

 and here the crop may remain secure from the wind and weather, 

 to dry and ripen in the field as long as is necessary. After it has 



* It is true that 30/., 40/., and even 50/. per acre are sometimes realised 

 in the best flax-growing districts, but such instances are comparatively 

 rare, and the return above estimated must be considered sufficiently remu- 

 nerative on an average of years. 



