Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-04-12
The Culture of Flax.

AS the subject of substituting fax for cot
ton 10 the manufacture of cloth has been
brought prominently before the public by the
statements of S. M. Allen, Esq, some infor-
nation concerning the method of its cultva-
ton will doubtless interest our agricultural
readers. Flax grows TO the hight of two or
three feet, according to the productiveness of
the soil, but can be brought to full perfection
only in rich, deep, moist soil, of a loamy
nature, containing much vegetable matter in
its composition. Strong clay soils and dry
gravelly soils are unlavorable. If the soil is
made too rich coarse fibre is the result, and
if it be too poor the yield will be unremu-
nerative. Aluvial soils are peculiarly adap-
ted to its culture, and will grow the most val
liable crops, as is the case in Holland, where
the soil is nearly all of an alluvial formation.
Flax may be grown at great elevation above
the sea, if the soil be favorable. It should
be grown in the rotation Of cropping, soon
after the ground has been plowed from grass.
1t will not grow well more than one year in
seven on the same spot, even though manur-
ed. Sometimes it will do we'll as the first
crop after grass, particularly on clover field;
it may succeed oats if the land is in good cul-
tivation, devoid of weeds, &c. 1t does no
injury to the soil if cropped before going to
seed
When fax is preceded by grass, one plow-
ing will be sufficient for the land if it be
thoroughly narrowed before the seed. is sown:
after corn or oat CROP it is advisable to
pillow the field Immediately after the grain is
taken off in the fall, that it may be exposed
to the effects of frost, and pulverized thor
oughly for the reception of the seed-or two
plowngs and two borrowings in the spring
will effect this object. After the seed is
sown broadcast and narrowed and cross-har-
rowed, it is well to roll the ground with a
light roller. If grown for the fibre, it should
be sown thick, say three bushels to the acre,
when it will grow tall and produce fine f.
bre if for seed, SOW thin, when it will grow
low, and throw out side branches, yielding
large quantities of seed. The best seed is
that obtained from Holland, as it ripens soon
er and is most prolific.
A frequent change Of seed is necessary to
maintain high standard for the crop The
Hollanders are the best fax growers in the
world, and they renew the seed every three
or four years, usually obtaining it from Riga.
This seed grows coarse and bulky the first
year, consequently they allow it to perfect
seed, which is sown the second year and
yields the finest fax, worth twice as much as
tie first crop. Our agriculturists might i'm
port direct from Riga, and manage in the
same way. SEED proper for cultivation is
bright, smooth, and very slippery, and heavy
enough to sink in water. The interior, when
broken open, should present yellowish green
appearance, and taste sweet and oily. All
other seeds are unfit for sowing When the
plants are about four inches high, it will be
necessary to weed them thoroughly. II the
object is to produce seeds for sowing, or food
for animals, the plants should be allowed to
ripen perfectly if for fibre, the fax must be
gathered in a green state. If any portion
of the crop lodge before it is ripe, it should
be taken out Immediately and kept by itself.
Each portion of the field should be gathered
as it ripens sufficiently and the balance left
until ft With good soil and culture, six
hundred pounds of fax per acre is fair
yield, or ten bushels of seed.
The mode of preparing the fax for use has
hitherto been to bind it in small bundles after
being pulled, and deposit it in pond, bundle
upon bundle, until solid stratum of fax is
formed. The pile is then loaded with heavy
pieces of wood, until the whole is immersed.
1t is allowed to remain thus five to eight
days, when it is taken out and spread upon
grass land, the bundles being entirely separa-
ted, item by item. Here it remains for
several weeks, being frequently turned in the
interim when it is again gathered iuto bundles
and placed in dry store room until required
for use. The object Of the soaking process is
to render the fbres easily separabe from the
central core. The process of separation is
performed by mill, in which the stalks are
crushed. The crushed core is then separated
from the 6bres by beating the fax with an
instrument resembling a largo knife, called a
swingle. The soaking process may be &C.
complished in few hours by putting the fax
in water containing 48th part of soap in
solution and kept at temperature Of u Q
to 75e.
A few years ago, Mr.. Claussen, Europe
an, thought he had discovered process by
which flax could be proftaby spun on cotton
machinery, or mixed with cotton, silk, &c.,
but his expectations have not been realized
Our fellow-citizen, Mr.. Allen, is confident
that he hrs surmounted the obstacles which
have heretofore prevented fax from entering
into competition with cotton in the manulac.