as practised in Ireland and on the Continent. 
417 
removed from the surface by delicately passing it through the 
finger and thumb, it is an unmistakable indication that it is in 
a condition to leave the dam ; also bend them gently over the 
forefinger, and should the woody part freely separate from the 
fibre and start up, it is time to throw it out. The reed must be 
examined throughout its length, as it will be found softer at the 
root-end ; but if it yields to this test in the middle, it may be 
safely considered watered. Try both tests, and examine both 
coarse and fine reeds. The coarse will " water " before the fine, 
so an average of condition must be taken. The Dutch test is 
by taking a reed and holding 10 inches of the middle of it, and 
twisting with each hand in the reverse direction. If the fibre 
separates freely from the core, it is considered watered. This is 
by far the most critical operation in flax manipulation. Flax is 
most frequently under-watered, the farmer calculating on the 
grassing finishing the operation. Water well, and leave little 
more than drying necessary on the grass ; that is, do not remove 
the flax from the dam till the fibre separates easily from the core 
or woody matter. When you commence to examine, it must be 
done daily, and as it approaches being finished, it should be 
looked at twice each day. When you are satisfied that the flax 
is retted, take the stones off, and throw it out on the bank ; allow 
it to drain for an hour or two, and then cart to the spread- 
ground. A prevalent but very mistaken idea exists that 
" hard " flax will yield better at the mill. The reverse is the 
case. Properly watered flax Avill require less scutching ; but the 
very heavy scutching which is necessary to clean under-watered 
flax, reduces to tow much of what otherwise would remain flax. 
Grassing is the next operation. Grazing or stunted pasture 
is best for this purpose. Any tall weeds or grass should be cut 
down with a scythe before spreading. Distribute the beets at 
convenient distances for the spreaders, who should shake it out 
thin and evenly in rows across the field, letting the top of each 
row lap the root-end of the preceding one about two inches, 
which is a great protection if high winds happen. When on the 
grass, some object to overlap, as the flax has a tendency to entangle 
in the operation of lifting. Flax is sometimes turned while on 
the grass, which, no doubt, is an advantage, but a dangerous 
operation at the season when flax is spread in Ireland, as it 
loosens it on the grass, and the wind has more power over it ; 
however, if it is to be turned, it must not be overlapped. 
An inexperienced hand will feel alarmed on examining his 
flax the day after it is spread to find it quite " tight," and, with- 
out much rubbing, the fibre most unwilling to part from the 
woody core ; but if it has been properly watered, a day or two 
will remove all apprehension ; it will begin to " bow " — that is, 
