FLAX-STEM ANATOMY IN RELATION TO RETTING. 25 
Fig. 21.—Epidermis test in incompletely retted flax. The epidermis (e) is clinging to 
both nodes and internodes in large pieces, showing that the retting process is not 
complete. 
G) | 
ig. 22.—Epidermis test of flax fibers when retting is nearly complete. The fibers are 
well separated and of fine diameter. Pieces of cuticle (c) are clinging in spots. When 
. this stage of retting is reached it is necessary to swish the fibers to and fro in water 
in order to tell whether the epidermis is well loosened. 
SOO Oe 
| f° 
| CCS 
pee 
WV 
Fig. 23.—F Jax fibers at the completion of the epidermis test. Retting is at the same stage 
as that shown in Figure 22. The cortex is shown after it has been swished to and fro 
“s Mga Geo is almost complete, and the cuticle (c) is separated except at the 
eaf scars : 
— 
