472 



On the Cultivation of Flax, 



the fibre, separating it into short lengths, and converting a great portion 

 of it into tow in the after-process of manufacture. 



In selecting the seed, the flax-grower should be particular to obtain 

 that which has not grown in the same place more than three or four 

 years, or he will probably find that the plant will have considerably 

 degenerated from its general character. If the seed be good, the plant 

 •will grow erect and clean in the stalk; but if, on the contrary, the seed 

 be from a plant which is degenerate, the stalk will abound in small 

 branches, or become, as it is called, "sprigged." It is therefore ad- 

 visable to change the seed every three or four years ; but whether this 

 change be effected by the use of foreign seed, or by the use of English 

 seed from a distance, does not appear to be material. The seed most 

 preferred is that which has been sown one year in the place intended to 

 grow it. The seed should be thoroughly cleaned by the use of sieves 

 made for that purpose, and be sown broadcast at the rate of about 

 2 bushels to the acre. It is occasionally drilled, but there does not 

 appear to be much advantage in adopting that plan, as the ground should 

 be covered by the plants. The best time for sowing flax is between the 

 last week in March and the first week in April. It may, however, be 

 sown as early as the first week in March, or much later than the first 

 week in April; but the time first mentioned is to be preferred, if the 

 state of the land and the weather should permit. The plant is not 

 killed by moderate frosts; but if subjected to much of such weather, it 

 becomes too much checked in its growth to recover its proper strength. 



In considering the most proper time for harvesting a flax crop, it is 

 to be first determined whether the crop of fibre or of seed is to re- 

 ceive the most attention. If the former be the chief object, then the 

 plant cannot be pulled too young, if full grown ; but if the latter be 

 most required, then it should remain on the ground until perfectly ripe. 

 The custom in this county generally is, to secure as nearly as possible 

 an equal share of these two advantages ; and in order to do this, the 

 plant should be pulled when the leaves about the lower end of the 

 stalk begin to fall off, and this will take place about the second or 

 third week in July. It may, however, be necessary to harvest the plant 

 before this, as for instance if it be much laid, or if attacked by the rust 

 before alluded to. In the latter case it will always be desirable to pull 

 it early, and this is most likely to occur in damp places or in wet 

 seasons. 



The flax, having been harvested, is spread out to dry, the seed then 

 stamped out, and the flax subsequently spread out in order to prepare 

 it for the operation of swingling. The best land to spread the flax 

 upon is a stubble field ; grass-land is very commonly used, but in such 

 case the fibre is most likely to be injured by w^orms. Some experience 

 is required to determine when the flax is ready for the operation of 

 swingling. It should be in such a state that the skin will break 

 easily from the interior fibre. If it remains out too long in wet weather, 

 it is likely to rot and yield a disproportionate quantity of tow; but 

 if it does not remain out a sufficient time, the flax will not readily 

 separate from the outward coating. It would certainly be better to 

 thrash and spread it out in the long days, there being then a greater 



