144 On the Growth and Preparation of Flax. 
grown for the fibre only, it should be pulled and tied-up in 
sheaves like oat-forage, and carried off immediately to be 
watered ; but when the seed is to be taken from the plant, 
it is pulled and laid in handfuls and left to dry. If fibre 
and seed are both required, this drying should not be longer 
than necessary. On the continent, the practice is to let the 
flax lie upon the ground for two or three days; although 
one day would be sufficient if the sun is very powerful, and 
the air dry. 
In the process of rippling, which is the next operation, a 
large cloth should be spread on a convenient spot ofground 
with the ripple placedin the middle of it. The pods contain 
ing the seeds are forced from the stalks by means of the iron 
comb called the ripple, fixed on ‘a beam of wood, on the 
ends of which two persons sit, who, by pulling the seed 
end of the flax repeatedly through this comb, execute the 
operation in a very complete manner. Many people in Scot- 
land who bestow much attention on the cultivation of flax, 
ripple off the seed where there is no intention of saving it; 
as it is found when flax is put into water without taking off 
the pods, the water soon becomes putrid, and the fibre is 
greatly injured thereby. The capsules obtained by rippling 
should be spread in the sun to dry; they are then broken, 
either by threshing or treading ; and the whole, capsules, 
seed, and refuse, must be carefully sifted, winnowed, and 
cleaned. When the seed is laid up, it must be frequently 
turned over and ventilated to prevent its taking any heat. 
In separating the fibre from the bark, it is necessary to 
accelerate the process of putrefaction, and this may be ac- 
complished in various ways; but the chief are steeping 
alone, and steeping and bleaching. In performing this 
operation the flax—whether it has been dried and rippled 
or pulled green without rippling—is loosely tied into small 
bundles (because then it is most equally watered) ; and 
these sheaves should be built in a pool in a reclining up- 
right position, so that the weight placed above may keep 
the whole firmly down. The weights made use of are 
commonly stones placed on planks, or directly on the flax 
itself. The most certain rule by which to judge when flax 
is sufficiently watered is, when the boon becomes brittle 
and the harl separates easily from it. In warm weather, 
ten days of the watering process are sufficient, twelve days 
will answer in any moderate weather; but care must be 
taken not tosteep too it long at any time. The pools wherein 
flax is being steeped should always be looked to after a — 
