The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-04-10

FLAX CULTURE.
From the Chicago Tribune

From the Chicago Tribune
The numerous inquiries now being mad
upon the subject of fax culture, show tha
more general attention is being given to i
than ever before and in order to meet ant
answer these inquiries, the practical expe
rience of some hundreds of fax growers il
Illinois and the adjoining States. has bee,
obtained through series of questions sen
Iou. for written answers. and the substanc,
Iof them has been condensed for this paper
IL has been accomplished at no little expense
and we trust our country exchanges will
take pains to widen the circle of readers BY
free extracts or by publising the entire ar
ticle.
Flax prefers rich sandy soil; but will
do well on any ground that is suitable 70,
wheat or corn.
The rolling praries of the West are well
adapted to it, and in ordinarily dry seasons
it does finely on even our fac prairies. though
when such a wet season as the last occurs,
it will prove failure on them, unless the
that the land within forty miles of Chicago,
produce large crops of both seed and straw;
numerous fields having yielded from four
rolling country about Champaign, Decatur.
Bloomington, Wilmington. and almost the
Western Northwestern portion of this State,
as also large tracts in Wisconsin, Minnesota
and Iowa afford the best soil for fax.
PREPARATION OF SOIL.
All experienced farmers unite in stating
one thing as essential to success in growing
flax. 9. thorough preparation of the
ground by blowing and narrowing" In
most European countries it is sown as the
first or fallow crop. (where system of ro-
tation is adopted. and always followed by
wheat. When this is done the land should
be plowed the summer previous and then
reploughed as early in the spring the
weather will permit. and we'll narrowed be
fore sowing.
II heavy manuring is to be done. it will
be better to put on corn first, and then fol-
low that with fax, in which case the land
should be deeply ploughed in the fall. In
answer to our inquiries on this point, large
majority of farmers say, ''let it follow corn,
md but one objection is urged against it. !
which is that the old roots and stalks of the |
orn interfere with the close working of
machine in cutting it. If those are careful |
? removed. we should advise, in the words
4 our replies, 'let it follow corn,' with
eep fall blowing. and then narrowing be-
ore sowing, until the surface is thoroughly
'ulverized and made as smooth as possible.
SOWING.
As to the time of sowing il will of course
'ary with the latitude aud locality; but the
general may be stated in the precise Lam
,uage of several farmers-"as soon as the
,round will admit of it,
In the southern part Of this State most of
he seed is sown as early as March. In the
entral counties about the lst of April. while
n our northern districts. aud in Wisconsin
md Minnesota. from the 25th of April to
he 10th of May is early enough generally.
Having prepared the ground as before
tated, sow broadcast, taking pains to dis.
ribute the seed as evenly as possible The
aicker the seed gerninates and appears
bove the ground the better, and therefore
should be covered slightly with light
arrow or brush. and then rolled The lar
est crops raised in this State have been by
armers who never harrow after sowing, but
lerely roll it in. The rolling is an import
ut matter. as it will facilitate the operations
{ the reaper and enable you to secure a /
reater length of straw, which adds much to
s value.
The quantity Of seed per acre to be sown,
ill depend upon the leading object of the
'rmer in raising the crop. If the seed is
le main thing with him. then two pecks to
,e acre is the almost unanimous testimony
those who have grown it longest and the
ost extensively. If fibre is the object, of
purse the seeding should be heavier.DForl
le present. the safest rule for western farm-t
$ is from two to three pecks per acre. the
e leading idea being as yet to secure the
reatest amount of seed.
QUALITY OF SEED.
Too much pains cannot be taken to get
lat which is fully matured. and perfectly
from all foul seeds-both to Sc
Ire q good mercbantabIe crop, and to pre-
rive the land on which it is sowu from all
oublesome weeds. Farmers often expert
ice great difficulty in procuring such seed
no ordinary tanning mill will remove
me Of the worst enemies Of the farmer and
,od fax.