The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-09-06
Flax Culture.


A big return in the harvest time from
flax must, in the first place, be started
by putting the land i'll 81 proper condi-
ton to receive the seed. This is i'm
perative if the largest returns are eX-
pected.
The time for sowing should be as
early in the spring as the weather will
permit and the land dry enough. No
Injurious results will come from early
frosts, If the soil is warm and har-
owed Just before sowing the seed, the
lax will get an early and quick start,
taking the lead of the weeds and in
the end smother them under instead of
being outstripped by them in their rapid
growth. Opinions, as well as expert
ence, has proven that where the crop is
grown for the seed alone that about
three pecks to the acre, on average
soil, is necessary. On rich and clean
soil half a bushel is sufficient. If the
crop is being cultivated for the fibre a
much larger quantity is necessary-two
and three bushels per acre. In some
of the Western States, where, fortu>
nately, the farmer is beginning to
awaken to the value of the flax straw,
the crop is raised for seed and fibre.
one bushel to the acre will bring good
results in both seed and straw.
The flax forms a very attractive field
when in fall bloom, which occurs when
it has reached about two-thirds of its
growth. after which the bolls, containing
the seed, appear and with favorable
weather soon attain their growth in size
and color. When the lower leaves on
the plant begin to wilt and drop OFF, the
stalks turning to a light yellow, the seed
will be found. on examination of the
bolls, to have become slightly brown,
and rs there yet remains enough of the
nutriment in the stalks to finish the
ripening of the seed, the harvest should
begin at once. If the flax is not cut at
this time, the stalk will likely become
wiry, causing extra labor and loss of
seed in becoming too ripe.
This work, as all harvesting of grain
or other seeds, should be attended with
promptness and dispatch. If this is
done the crop requires no more work in
caring for than any other and may be
cut with a scythe or any of the standard
reapers or mowers. If the latter are
used they should be so adjusted as to
cut as close to the ground as possible in
order to secure the largest quantity of
fibre. The flax is bound in ordi-
nary sized sheaves or bundles and
is then stacked ready for thrsshing
The stacks should be built carefully,
and if convenient, especially where it is
intended the flax shall remain in stack
for time before thrashing, the same
should be topped out with hay as a pro-
lection from rains. In this condition
the flax goes through a sweating"
process very beneficial to the seed and
retains a bright rich color until
thrashed.
This is the important point in the flax
plant, and one which is too much
ignored because its value is not appre-
ciated by not only our farmers but by
the nation. There is not a greater or
larger field open for investigation and
profitable investment in this country
than we have now reached in the flax
plant. The fibre of the plant is entirely
ignored by us, the little use being made
Of it not being worthy of notice when
compared with the use and value of it
IN foreign lanus, IN lIS manufacture
into the finest linen fabric. Our mode
of thrashing it with the common
thrasher so completely eliminates the
value in the fibre, except in the making
of bagging, upholstering tow, twines,
ETC., as to reduce it to mere nominal
figure, say three to five dollars per ton,
as to locality, when with proper care
the same article could readily command
twenty to twenty-five dollars per ton.
N, Y Herald.