On the Cultivation of Flax, 



455 



steeped. This test may be relied on^ and the trial should be 

 made twice a-day after the fermentation subsides, for the change 

 is then often very rapid. 



If^ notwithstanding every care, it should be found that the flax 

 has been taken out of steep a little too soon, the error may in 

 great measure be rectified by allowing it afterwards to remain a 

 little longer on the grass; but if permitted to remain too long in 

 steep, the evil is irremediable. 



The steeping-pool, if properly constructed and properly attended 

 to^ will answer nearly as well as the larger waters for flax of average 

 quality, although the best colour may not thereby be obtained. 

 It will, however, if rightly managed, be far preferable to steeping 

 in ditches, mingled with every kind of filth and impurity, as has 

 been the common practice in this country, thereby injuring the 

 texture of the flax, and making it of a dark and dingy hue, in- 

 stead of the soft yellow or light straw colour which is so much 

 prized by the manufacturer. 



Spreading or Grassing. — When sufficiently steeped, the flax 

 must be removed carefully from the water, without being broken 

 or crumpled by rough handling, and either set up on the root- 

 ends to drain for a short time, or it may be immediately spread ; 

 but it will soon heat if allowed to remain in a heap. If the 

 w^eather is rainy, it need not prevent the spreading, for which a 

 clean short pasture should be selected ; and the flax must be laid 

 evenly, in regular rows, and so thin that the grass may be seen 

 through the stalks. 



When it is not intended to grass the flax immediately that it is 

 taken out of steep, as is sometimes the case, the bundles are first 

 left an hour or tw^o to drain, and are then untied and formed into 

 w^hat are called caps, of a conical form, having the appearance of 

 very small tents. This is done wdth great rapidity after a little 

 practice ; and when they have stood some time, these caps are 

 turned inside out with like rapidity, in order that the whole of the 

 flax may be exposed to the sun and wind, and be thoroughly dried. 

 It may then be tied up in beets, and carried home, and stacked 

 or housed until it is wished to grass and prepare it for market. 



From 3 to 6 days, or longer, according to the state of the 

 weather and nature of the fibre, will be required for the flax to 

 remain on the grass, and whilst spread it must be repeatedly 

 turned, in order that every part may be equally bleached. The 

 turning is effected very rapidly, without disturbing the order of 

 the rows, by means of a rod about 8 feet long slipped under the 

 flax as it lies on the grass. W^herever the flax is spread, the grass 

 will be found to grow with great vigour. This is particularly the 

 case in the spring, and may be taken advantage of by the farmer 



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