On the Growth and Preparation of Flax. 145 
week. Grassing, or bleaching flax, may take place after 
the last operation of steeping if it be requisite; and in 
doing this, the fibre is spread very thinly on the ground, 
and in regular rows,—the one being made to overlap the 
other a few inches, with the object of preventing, as much 
as possible, its being scattered by the wind. Grassland, 
where the herbage does not grow to any great heighth, is 
the best for the purpose. The time for grassing is regulated 
by the state of the flax ; a few days only are ordimarily re- 
quisite; yet during this operation the flax should be re- 
peatedly examined, and when it is found that the boon has 
become very brittle, so that on being broken and rubbed 
between the hands, it freely parts from the harl, it is taken 
up, a dry day being chosen for the purpose; and being 
again bound in sheaves, is either sent directly to the mill, 
or broken and scutched at home by a machine for that 
purpose. 
The main dressing of flax consists of various operations, 
such as scutching, tracking, or breaking—by which the 
woody part is crushed, and heckling or combing—by which 
the fibre is separated from the woody portion, and sorted 
into lengths. This is all done by simple machines; one ton 
of fine flax being produced from four tons of stem. Any 
glutinous matter may be removed from the article after it 
has passed the machines by soap and water, if a very clean 
and white staple be required. Indeed, the value of flax de- 
pends much upon the care and skill with which the pro- 
cesses are conducted; and according to its quality, its 
value varies from about 404 to 180/ per ton. 
Probably the best system for cultivators to adopt is, 
merely to grow and tie up the flax, if fibre be the intention, 
leaving the rippling, scutching, tracking, and heckling to 
professed hecklers. 
Flax-cotton, very much used at the present time, is a 
eae prepared from flax, hemp, and other vegetable 
bres. 
NEW SERIES.—VOL, I. N 
