as practised in Ireland and on the Continent. 
413 
be tracked out into lands to guide the sower. This is not to be 
done with a plough, but the ground should be merely measured 
and traced with a man's foot, or poles put up as guides. As to 
the time for sowing, much depends on the situation. Near the 
sea-coast it will be safe to sow early ; inland, too early sowing 
is hazardous, for fear of the late spring frosts, which do material 
damage, frequently causing injury to the tender plant, and 
thereby making it branch — one of the greatest misfortunes that 
can befall the crop. The object of an early sowing is to have 
an early pulling, but this is not always attained, as so much 
depends on the weather during the summer. Late sowing will 
often produce a heavy crop. Notwithstanding the dread of late 
spring frost, it would be, however, advisable to have sowing 
completed before the last week in April, so as to have the flax 
abraird by the 1st of May. 
The kind of seed depends on the ground. On heavy soil, 
or after green crop, Dutch seed would be the most suitable ; on 
light or medium soil, Riga seed will answer best ; as to the quan- 
tity of seed much depends on the kind sown, quality of seed, 
and the description of fibre wanted. Dutch seed produces a 
finer fibre than Riga, but the class is also affected by the quantity 
sown ; thickly-sown seed produces a finer fibre than that sown 
thin. With good seed, about 2 bushels will sow a statute acre, 
2^ bushels a Cunningham acre, and 3 j bushels an Irish acre ; 
but a man who understands sowing (and no other should be 
employed) need not be confined to a specific quantity ; expe- 
rience will have taught him how properly to distribute the seed, 
having ascertained the wishes of the grower as to the nature of 
the flax he is desirous to produce. Riga seed should be cleaned 
with a flax sieve previous to sowing, to get rid of the weed-seeds : 
this will save expense and labour when weeding-time comes 
round. Dutch seed, being much better cleaned, will seldom 
require this operation. Flax sieves of perforated zinc are made 
expressly for this purpose, and can be purchased for 2s. 6f/. 
each. After sowing, harrow-in with a seed-harrow ; two strokes 
will usually do. 
Ground intended to be laid down in clover and perennial rye- 
grass should be sown immediately after the flax, and before it is 
harrowed-in. No Italian rye-grass should be sown with flax, as its 
vigorous growth causes it to injure the lower portion of the reed 
of the flax, particularly in wet seasons. If Italian is wanted, 
let it be sown on the surface after pulling, choosing a wet day. 
If dry, roll at once across the field, not up and down ; on 
potato land, extra rolling will be required. The best chance for 
a good crop of flax is rain coming immediately after sowing is 
completed, it makes a strong and even braird ; but if any weak 
