On the Growth and Preparation of Flax. 143 
width to throw out laterial shoots and become bushy; but 
where flax is intended to be taken in its green state, the 
broad-cast plan is sufficient ; and from eight to ten pecks 
of seed to the acre, or six pecks, if sown in drill fashion. 
Thickly sown flax grows high, and produces a fine staple, 
soft and supple. 
The culture of the young crops consists principally in 
weeding ; which, if they have been sown in drills, can be 
readily done with the hoe, but, if sown broad-cast, the weed- 
ing must be managed by hand. Sometimes sheep may be 
turned upon the crops; they will eat the weeds, and not 
touch the flax plants. This, however, can only be done 
when the ground is ina dry state, and would be a cheap 
and expeditious mode of exterminating the weeds. There 
is sometimes a danger of crops becoming laid in wet and 
stormy seasons, particularly if they are thick and heavy; 
Cultivators in Ireland guard against this by running stakes 
and cords across the fields diagonally, yet this can scarcely 
be attempted here. Small crops should be put in from 
mid-October till the end of November, and much must be 
left to chance afterwards. 
The produce of flax fibre to the acre is not easily stated 
varying as it does from three or four hundredweights to 
halfaton. The produce of flax in seed is ordinarily from 
eight to twelve bushels an acre; but, in the former case, it 
must be borne in mind that the weightis given in the gross, 
before being prepared for sale. The average price of lin- 
seed in the English markets is generally from three shil- 
lings to four shillings a bushel. The seed is separated into 
three qualities; the first being retained for sowing, the 
- second for crushing for oil and cake, and the third or in- 
ferior description, for boiling for cattle food. The price of 
the fibre in England fluctuates so much, that it is not ad- 
visable to endeavour to arrive at an average. The London 
price currents of the day are the best guides. The annual 
importation of flax and hemp into Great Britain now 
amounts to about 100,000 tons. More than 180,000 lbs. of 
rough flax and hemp are used in the cordage of a first-rate 
man-of-war, including rigging and sails. 
To take in a crop of flax, it must be pulled by hand just 
as it comes into full flower, at least when fibre is the ob- 
ject; or before the seeds in the capsules become of a 
brownish colour, when fibre and seed are both required, or 
when seed only is the object ; and the operation of pulling 
differs according to the intention of the crop. When it is 
