Milford chronicle., 1930-07-18
GLENDALE
Scenes OF Long AgO-NO. 5


farmers always had their fields oi
fax.
This was essential as in those
days the farmers wives had to de-
pend on the growing of fax to Sc
cure the necessary material for
making of sheets, table cloths, cloth
ing and many other useful articles.
The growing of fax in the old
days took some one with Il know
ledge of what was needed in grow
ing this plant, and to bring it to that
point where it was ready for the
weaver.
1t was important that the ground
selected should be of that nature as
would grow the largest crops of
fax and it was also necessary that
the seed selected should be of the
very best.
After the soil had been prepared
and put in ample condition to re-
ceive the seed, which were at once
broadcasted, it was left, without
further cultivation or work, until
the reaping time had come.
When the fax had arrived at ma
turity it was necessary to reap by
pulling up roots and all by hand, as
using any kind of a reaper would
cause a loss of some of the most i'm
portant part of the fax.
1t was then spread thinly upon
the ground and left in that position
until the dews had completely rotted
the outside cover and which was
necessary before the inside fibre
through breaking and scutching
was ready for the spinning wheel.
After being dew rOtted it was
hauled to the barn and put through
a process of breaking, in which a
home made instrument was used,
which completely broke the outside
cover into small pieces and exposed
the inside fibre; then through a fur
ther process called scutching the
outside hull or cover was beaten
from the pant and it was ready to
be spun.
The fibre which was entirely clear
of the hulls was used in the manu-
facture of tier linen and that which
contained some of the bark or out
side hulls was made into a material
called tow linen.
The better class of linen or what
was called tier, was made into suits
for both young and old men and in
those days, a man who was able to
own one of these suits had somc-
thing which would last for q life
time and at the same time to be in
in n n n dofo nd esfN
lish form of dress.
The ladies also came in for their |
share of these goods which were
made into frocks, which were very
cool, pretty and at that date called |
very dressy. Ten to twelve yards |
were used in making an up TO date |
dress.
Table cloths, sheets, and towels |
were made from the best fax and |
only used when entertaining COM
pany; at other times tow linen or |
other material less costly, were US
ed.
Tow linen for every day wear was !
used by all. The people Cf the low |
classes, boys and slaves, used this |
cheaper class material for summer |
wear, and towels for general use |
were made from this material en-
tirely. Those of the early days who
had to pass through the ordeal Of
wearing a tow linen suit or trousers
before being washed, have had an
experience worth relating. Under
wear, except those worn by the rich
men were scarcely worn by the peo-
pie of the early days and when the
body came into contact with shirt
or trousers made of tow linen, the
language used is far from that which
we learn in the Sunday school.
This scratching which the rough
texture produced, was almost equal
to that which is suffered by those
who are afflicted with the so-called
seven year itch.
The towels were very rough and
person had to be careful in wiping
their faces or the skin would come
off with the dirt.
But when washed a few times they
became soft and pliable, equal to
those made frim tier linen.
The weaving of linen on the old
fashioned hand looms was the only
mode in the far away days and the
and women hired for
the purpose were the weavers.
A woman was employed for a dol
lar a week and board, to weave lin
en- and she worked from the rising
of the sun until the setting of it, and
a general days work with this slow
process was less than two yards of
linen.
What would women think in these ;
days to he asked to work for a dol /
lar week and board?
The writer remembers when quite ]
a small boy going to an out house
where the DOM was generally set up ;
and taking the shuttle run it
the warp in many ways, S
making a mess of the whole thing '
and causing the weaver lot of
trouble in getting the matter in s
proper shape again. G
For my trouble my father gave ]
me something 1 would not soon for t
get, neither would l likely again g
neddle with the work a weaver was {
loing. q
The ladies in the early times were
he makers of both their own dress G
IS and the suits of clothes worn by \
he men. They were very apt and t
.urned out some work which was
equal in every way with the work a
lone by the tailors. S
The writer has in his possession e
.wo pair of trousers made of tier II
innn Thncn frnncnrs n1fh rrIn nrrnr. 4