Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-03-24
For the Fremont Journal.
FLAX AND IT'S CULTURE.

rHE KIND OF LAND BEST ADAPTED FOR Irs GROWTH.
The heavy dark loan in this locality, is prob
ably the best. Butloam mixed with black sand
or loan mixed with some clay, are good soils
on which to grow flax. Even the lighter kinds
of soil with an early spring, and supply of
rain to keep the ground properly moist. will
| give good crop.
The loan land should be ploughed deep, and
evenly, and if it is level, it should be elevated
into beds, or lands of not over two rods wide
After ploughing, the soil should be thorough
| ly pulverized with harrow.
| The loan and sandy land needs deep plough
ing but if there be considerable sand in the soil
it need not be made into lands less than three
rods wide, and once narrowing will be all that
is necessary.
Land in which their is considerable clay mixed
with loan, ought to be ploughed in the fall SO
that the frOsts of winter can act upon if, but if
it can be ploughed deep, and early in the spring,
and the Jumps thoroughly pulverized, good
crops of fax may be obtained.
The heavy clay lands in rather wet seasons,
when the preparation has been right will often
grow good crup. But such soil must have
so that the water will not stand upon it, and the
Jumps well broken with the harrow.
| Besides deep ploughing two other things are
always necessary for the growth of fax, on all
soils, except the lighter kinds, viz: making the
ground mellow before sowing and making
drains, or dead burrows, near enough together
and of sufficient depth 10 carry off all surface
water,
Time to SOW. This will of necessity vary
with the season. As general rule, better
crop can be obtained if it can be sowu from the
10th TO the 10Th of April, yet very good crops,
in late springs have been obtained when sown
as late as the middle of May.
rHE SEED SHOULD BE CLEAN.
From three pecks to a bushel should be sown
ON an acre. In some places in foreign countries
when the flax is grown for the straw OF fiber
| only, they SOW from one and half to two BUSH
| els to the acre.
! In this way they not only get larger quau-
tity, but far better quality of flax, and have
no doubt that ere long such system will be
followed in this country. But as the seed is a
profitable part of the crop and the farmer wish
es 10 make the most he can Of his seed, ON
strong and well prepared land a bushel is about
the right quantity, aud ON land of poorer quail
ty, and where the preparation has not been
quite as thorough three fourths or seven -eighths
of bushel will be enough. tft-f r4-
The seed should be sown with care, (the
morning is the best time TO SOW, and either a
| hight harrow, or bush, should be used to COW
er it. If the soil is mellow the bush is the best
and should be used.
A light roller passed over the land after sow
ing, is very desirable. By so doing, the soil is
pulverized snugly around the seed, causing it to
germinate sooner, as the fine sprouts, or roots
will come Immediately in contact with the soil
In closing it should be said, that flax should
be grown on land which has been well worked
so that the weeds have been well subdued Ii
is not unfrequently the case that seed is sown
on land only half prepared, and at an improper
time, and although the land may be good, vel
only partial crop is obtained. As with wheat
oats, DC, SO with flax. Sow good seed on good
ground, well prepared, and with the dews and
sunshine of heaven, the farmer may hope for q
good crop. NJ.
|