The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-03-29
Flax Culture.

Flax Culture.
There being considerable interest mani
Tested by the farmers of the county, in the
culture of fax, mainly or wholly for the
seed, we make few extracts for their
benefit from Patent Office and Commission
er's Reports. Wheat being an unreliable
crop, for staple product, we have long
been convinced that farmers would be even
tually obliged to resort, either to wool grow
ing and stock raising as principal bust
ness or to the cultivation of greater vari-
ETY. of crops We are informed that there
were several thousand bushels of fax seed
raised in the county last season which
proved to be very remunerative crop,
yielding in many instances as high as $28
to $50 worth of marketable seed per acre
There will undoubtedly be much larger
breadth sown the coming season, and we
hope that at no distant day, there may be
ready market for the fibre.
SOIL.
Flax has wide range of soils. A great
deal of our prairie lands in the western
states, contains soil which is admirably
adapted to the growth of fax, and expert
ments which have been stimulated within a
few years by the high price of SEED, have
demonstr ated the admirable character and
adaptability to this object. of immense
tracts now lying in state Of nature, or
used for grazing only. The best soil for
fax is considered to be clay loan. or q
dry loain with clay subsoll. Our rich
al!uvions, however, are known to produce
abundantly, or any land that will produce
indian corn 1t also often does we'll on
soils light ana thin, where corn or other
crops would be poor. or on land which has
been hard run, by the long succession of
the same or similar crops, though good
land is always preferable. Soils containing
much potash and soda are especially favora
bic to fax.
PREPARATION.
Flax culture requires careful prepare
ton of the land thorough pulverization be-
fore sowing is very essential to SUCCESS. BY
this means 1t may be grown to advantage
on very indifferent soils. When the ground
has been properly prepared, SOW, and har-
row with a short tooth harrow, and roll
when convenient
DOES FLAX EXHAUST THE SOIL
Much has been said and written Oh both
sides of the subject. That fax ilnperiou-ly
demands rotation of crops is admitted by
all. Once in seven years, is the least that
can be recommended but rotation of this
extent, is recommended for all crops, to
prevent deterioration of the soil. On this
account flax has been called exhaustive, but
Professor Kane asserts that he has fully
proved by chemical experiments and analy-
BIS, that when used i'll judicious rotation
with other crops, it is less exhaustive than
oats or wheat and the most scientific Eng
lsh and Irish farmers claim, that when
used In a judicious rotation for seven years.
1t Is better for the soil than any other rota-
tlou without 1t. Use land clear of weeds
and follow with wheat, for which it is said
to be an excellent preparation. Some of
the most Intelligent farmers of Ohio, recon-
mend the flax crop to take the place of
naked summer, tallow as a preparation OF
the ground for wheat, clover is seldom
known to fail when sown with fax. When
flax is spread upon field To be rotted, it
will not produce fax the following season;
not because the land has been exhausted.
but on account of deposits incompatible
with the growth of that crop, nor is it advi-
sable to use fax chaf for manure for the
same crop.
Our western farmers who grow the crop
almost exclusively for the seed, sow but
half bushel per acre, or at most three
pecks, but in the eastern states, on poor err
soil, or where there is demand for the Fl
bre. more seed is used If thinly seeded,
the stalks will throw out innumerable
branches, and produce more flowers and
seed to each individual, than when crowded.
The proper amount to be used must be de-
cided i'll great measure. by the experience
OF the farmers in each section of the coun-
try. When the fibre is the main object,
two bushels or even more is frequently used.
Use clean seed, SOW evenly and as early az
the ground is in good condition, and COW
er lightly. The ground should be made
smooth and mellow before sowing in order
that the seed may not he covered too deep
to prevent vegetation
HARVESTING.
Harvest as soon as the seed begins to ri
pen. and the l.aks are turning yellow
Dry as rapidly as possible. aud allow the
crop to remain i'll the field no longer thar
, is necessary to become thoroughly dried,
when 1t should be removed to the barn, OF
! put up i'll stacks and covered with straw CT
hay, to protect it from the rain.