The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1863-02-21
From the American Agriculsurisi.
Notes on Flax Culture.

Agriculturist Office from uilerent
sections, show that the attention Of
many cultivators is already turned to
this crop, which at present promises
to be a remuncrative one Tor the COM
ing year at least. The following in
formation derived from many sourccsl
will be of value 70 those inexperienced
ia growing flax, and we trust that any
difference Of treatment called for by
peculiar circumstances OF location and
soil, and additional suggestions from
those experienced in the business may
be communicated in time to be Of use
to our readers before putting in the
spring crops.
Flax prefers a rich sandy soil, but
grows well upon any land that will
Yield good corn. A fine deep filth Of
rich soil with good draining will give
the best crops, 1t is almost useless to
attempt the cultivation Of this plant
on wet field. 1t is essential that
the ground be free from weeds. In
Europe. where labor is cheap. the flax
fields are regularly weeded; here, the
process would be too expensive, and
hence the cleancst land should be
selected. Flax may well follow corn
or oats, or be sown directly upon .
clover sod. In the latter case especi-
ally, it would be better to pillow the
land the previous Autumn, leaving il
in ridges, to allow the vegetable mat
ter to decay and be more thoroughly
mingled with the coil by replowing
and narrowing in Spring. Heavy
manuring is beneficial in increasing
the yield Of seed, but it makes the
fiber coarscr and less valuable. Flax
will doubtless do well after any pre-
vious culture that has left the land lin
good heart and free from any trouble
some weeds.
The quantity Of seed per acre varies
with the purpose of cultivation. II
the object be to secure seed only, three
pecks per acre is ample. When sown
thus thinly the stalks throw out more
branches, and larger quantity Of
seed is produced. Where the crop is
grown for the fiber alone, from one
and half to two Bushels per acre il
used, according to the strength Of the
land. In some districts Of Europe
where the finest linens are produced,
as high as three bushels per acre arc
sown. 1t will probably pay best e
SOW with reference to raising both seed
and fiber; then one bushel, or on stronf
land, five pccks per acre will be the
proper quantity. The seed may b
obtained at almost any city seed store
That Of good quality will be smooth
slippery, and will sink in water. ]
should taste sweet when chewed, ans
being broken, should appear Of q ligh
yellowish green color, and very oily
Ii large quantities are required,
would be we'll to correspond with thos
in the trade at Cincinnati or st. Louis
which are commercial centers Of til
large flax growingdistricts, where tn
seed Is chiefly the object Of culture.
The time Of sowing, ofcourse, varie
with the latitude; the rule is to get il
the crop as early as can be done with
out, danger from frost. In Rene
s.lacr and Washington Co.'s, in \
York State, about latitude AZ, wher
large quantities are cultivated annr
ally it il usually sown from Ma
Isl to 10th. The seed is throw
broadcast and It requires COZ
siderable good care to scatter
evenly. Calm weather should
chosen for the work, or if that be M
possible, the sower should Away
work with the wind at his side, blow
ing alternately on his left hand and Q
his right as he PAGES up and down h
field. A more uniform Distribute
Of seed could be secured BY going ov'
the groun nd twice, and sowing halftt
amount Of seed each time. II
quicker the fax terminates and d
pears above ground, the better Il
crop is likely to turn ont. On th
account, it is . great advantage whs
the sowing can be done immediate
before q shower. If there be drou1
at the proper time for putting in see
its effects can be partially guard
against BY q deep thorough harrowiI
Immediately before sowing. The So
:. 81 -. harrorod IN 1i0htlv A the n