Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-05-22
rIBRILIA, or FLAX COTTON.
From the sorgo Journal.

20 upon the great textile staple /
has elevated prices TO terrific nj
titude. 80 that even hickory shirt
can not be purchased without a
grave consideration Of the state Of
the exchequer. and an indulgence
10 a first class under garment by a
man Of moderate income is almost
out Of the question We begin TO
reflect more seriously than ever
before upon the condition OF Fal- /
stats recruits. where there was
bat q shirt and a half TO regi-
ment Our wives and daughters.
% whom we have counselcd calico 4
these many years. now threaten 10
ruin Us by taking our advice and (
demanding the calico What il to
be donef Modern civilization,
MINIS muslin and calico, would be
like a clipper ship at sea without
sails. Something must be invent
ed or something discovered TO take
the place OF cotton until the enc /
my's line-which is, in an eminent
sense, q CLOTHES liue-is broken
The invention or discovery has al I
ready been made in the form of q /
textile substance called Fibfilia.
and here is what we condense from
an article in the Cincinnati Gaseife,
telling somebody about il. We
regard the cultivation Of flax for
Its seed and fiber rs much more
rational in this climate than the
desperate attempts some are max
ing to grow cotton.
Fibrilia i name given to q new article
for textile fabrics. procured bv new, pccu-
liar, aud patented processes. from various
kinds of long, fbrous. vegetable sub
stances. reduced 10 a short stapled fbril,
ike cotton and wool. 80 that the same
NAV be mixed with either of these, or can
be spun AMI woven separately, Oh either
cotton or wooden machinery.
The fax plant may be grown IN almost
any climate OF soil on the face of the
globe.
The districts where the temperature IS
most equable will be the most suitable for
the growth OF lax. Il will bear good
deal Of moisture and thrive best in moist
climates.
The best soil for fax is a sound, drv,
deep loan, with clay subsoil. The
laud should be- properly drained; for.
when IL is saturated with either under
ground or surface water, good fax can
not thrive.
Flax should not follow crops where
much nahuring has been done. as Il pro
duees many weeds, and the fax fiber
grows thin aud poor upon the stalk
New grounds produce stroug crop Of
fax.
The Land should be we'll drained. the
weeds carefully taken from il, and the
soil left IN fine, deep, clean state. Then
the roots can penetrate into the ground;
and they will. oftentimes. TO an extent
equal to half the length OF the stem above
ground.
Rolling IL advisable The surface
should be left A. smooth as possible, as
the crop will then grow more evenly.
Sow seed that is plump, shining and
heavy. and of the best brands. Siit IL
clear Of seeds OF weeds, for by doing this
great amount OF labor in after weedine
will be avoided. About two bushels OF
seed is fair averare TO SOW per acre 1t
u better 20 SOW too thick than too thin
The ground being well prepared, SOW the
seed, giving the ground a. cquable a sup
nly as possible. After sowing, cover 10
With a seed harrow, going twice over il
once up and down aud once crossWise.
This spreads il more equally and avoids
the small drills made bv the teeth Of the
harrow. Finish with the roller. which
covers the seed about an inch, thus CIV
ing IL proper depth and insuringan even
germination. Sow nothing with the flax
The earlier the seed is sown the more
Glow and steady the growth, which is
desirable, as the fiber i, ia consequence,
finer. Later IN the season vegetation Is
more rapid. The fiber grows quicl er and
has not time 20 become fine and mellow {.
The fiber is in the best state before the
seed Is quite ripe. II II remains longer
uncut the fiber is coarseT. The best
time for cutting Is as the seeds begin 70
change their color from green 90 u pale
brown color, and the stock becomes vel
low for nearly or quite two thirds of its
hight from the ground. and % lose its
leaves. Ii the fiber is cut too early 10 i
fimsy; u too late, coarse. SO long as
The seed is Ia the husk il continues 10
ripen. Cutting should only be done in
dry weather.
When properly ripened in the field the
fax NAV be cut with the ordinary scythc,
cradle or moving machine, ana should in
all respects be cured the same as hay. IL
should be placed in a harm. or in stacks in
The teld, as soon as dry enough after cut
ting. and should no; be exposed 20 con-
slant dews or rain. Ia nav be thrcshed
BY an ordinary threshiag machine, as the
tanging OF the straws - 10 injury 10 the
ther for making fbrilia. And, when the
seed Is thus removed, it may be broken
on the farm hy the brake, needing less
power than the threshing machine, or il
may be hauled like hay q designated de.
pots IA the neighborhood. where brake
may De permanently worked aud the TOW
thus cleaned and scutchcd may be sent
90 market. 10 be c0ttonized ~ tho factories
where used. The usual crop Of aax per
acre ~ from one 90 two tuns Of unrottcI
straw. and from fifteen 10 twcntv.fve
bushels Of seed.
The tax straw should be thoroughly
dry when broken, and care should be "A
ken that the fiber and shives should be
kept separate. As soon as the fiber !.
properly broken and cleaned bv the ma.
chine il should De carefully baled, with
out being vet, and sent % market. where
u Il STEPPED, fbrilizei, and bleachei q,