The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-11-18
HOW TO MAKE
GOOD FLAX FIBER
When to Harvest the Crops and Pre-
pare Them for the Mil.
THIRD CHAPTER ON THE FLAX
Interesting Details Of the Curing and
Preparation OF the Plant--Pull-
ing and Sleeping the Stalks.

Another chapter is added to the
methods Of cultivation Of the FAX plant.
that oldest of historical commercial
plants. The experiments TO be made
In Clhtsop mean much 10 the wealth
Of the future city should they prove
successful. and merchants and farmers
viii read the articles with interest. A
big spinning mill In Astoria viii be
a fortune 20 many. and a source OF
steady wages 10 hundreds. The Tex
tile Journal further says.
PULLING.
Having left the plant 20 mature after
the final wedding, the next operation is
10 describe the pulling. This is sim
pie process. but the time to carry Il
out is a difficult point TO determine;
and some confusion will arise II the
special object aimed At Is not kept care
fully In view. The system which meets
with practical support from the great
est number ~ one deserving attention.
We refer 10 the custom OF growing FAX
wholly for the hber. and this II where
all flax growers should begin. leaving
the more critical system. which com
blnes the production OF good ilber and
the saving OF seed. TO a time when
experience has created some skin and
Impaired confidence IN the cultlvator,
The system of preparing the flax straw
for the scutoh mills. without reference
to seed. Ia a remunsratlve method OF
dealing with the crop. or Il would not
have taken such hold upon fax grow
ers: and we would advocate this plan
for beginners; but Of course when the
seed can also be saved Il Is a decided
advantage We win describe first the
mode OF pulling and conveying the
straw direct 70 the dams. and after
wards direct attention 10 the other sys-
EN-. Having prepared The way for the
Important point-the time 20 pull-the
directions under this head will be more
easily understood. AS the plant ap-
proaches maturity, three or four
changes take place. which should be
carefully noted. Change Of color is
the first Indication OF readiness for
pulling-the stalks turn yellow, and
the seed-bolls turn from green to a pale
brown. Next the leaves begin 20 fall
on the lower part Of the stem. but
probably the surest guide is the state
Of the embryo seeds. The seed capsule,
when cut across with sharp knife,
shows the contents OF each at the ear
Her stages TO be white and soft. When
this substance assumes a green shade
and becomes firm, the time for pulling
has arrived; and there should be no
delay at this 1uncture, as the seed WILL
with the heat OF the sun. quickly draw
away from the stew the most nutritive
substances. leaving the fiber dry and
hasky. To pull the plant, n convenient
quantity OF the stalks should be firmly
grasped In the hand and with a sharp
pull. drawn from the ground; but, sim
pie as this is, experience will teach
some useful lessons. The flax must
be caught near the top, to be as free
AZ possible from stray weeds. and. in
the event OF double bralrding. or un-
even growth which sometimes occurs.
the tall tlaX is recommended to be
pulled by itself and the shorter portion
lflARxynYs1 aanh haft,a,
'or steeping,etc.; but this is trouble
some and not frequently attended to,
10 that generally the stems are Just
'aught at the best height to bring all
he fax from the ground The handfuls
ire laid together. the root ends being
Sept even, until sufficient is pulled to
orm convenient sheaf or beat for /
'teeping, which Is then tied up, gem
rally with rushes when II is ready
o so into the dam; and 1t Is desirable !
o put what is pulled each day into the {
water the same evening, as a partial |
to the sun win tend to dis S
or course. IL the straw is to
'e held over 1t would have to be
thoroughly dried but that Is different 5
natter from putting some into the |
Iater in a green state with that which '
lad been exposed TO the sun for some
ime, Care must also be taken not to 6
lie the beets too tightly, as the straw $
wells to some extent during fermenta- '
ion.
In the event Of any part of the crop /
'eing laid by heavy rains or strong :
Winds before pulling time, the stems $
re so brittle that they will not recov- a
r, and in that case the injured por- I
ions should be pulled and Immediately S
teeped, TO prevent complete loss. Any I
Tror from want of experience or care Il
assness in handling will most likely
ONE to light at the scutch mill, and c
hould b. noted by the grower for q
uture guidance. If the flax scutches Il
oft and is inclined to turn into tow, 4
may indicate that the pulling was n
on the other hand. II over !.
ipened, the fiber will be coarse and t
but taking everything into o
consideration, 1t Is safest to err on the