The Dutch avail themselves of this fact with regard to their Flax crops. After pulling the plants they stack them. The seeds by this means ripen, while the fibres are collected at the most favourable period of their growth. They thus obtain both of the valuable products of the plant. They are inodorous except when powdered, but the taste is mucilaginous and slightly unpleasant.
Linseed varies much in size and tint - a yellowish variety occurring in India.
Holland, Russia, the United States, Canada, the Argentine and India furnish the principal supplies. For medicinal purposes, English and Dutch seeds are preferred, on account of their freedom from weed-seeds and dirt. If containing more than 4 per cent of weedseeds, linseed may be said to be adulterated. Of English and Dutch seeds about twelve weigh 1 grain, but some of the Indian and Mediterranean varieties are twice as large and heavy. The envelope or testa of the seed contains about 15 per cent of mucilage.