Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/334

302&#93; 3°0 FLA that it improves, when cultivated in a different soil and climate. — See also Linseed. In order to prevent the depre- dations of birds on this valuable seed, circumspect farmers sow it after sun-set on land well pulveriz- ed, and harrow it in early the next morning, before the sun rises. — ■ Thus the seed, being moistened by the night's dew, is easily enveloped with earth, and rendered invisible to birds. — Another great enemy to the prosperity of the flax-plant, is the parasitical weed called the Great- er Dodder (which see), or Cuscu- ta Eiiropcea,h. — Bechstein com- municates the following remedy, by which it may be easily and com- pletely extirpated : — To every bu- shel of linseed, take two drams of camphor reduced to powder, by adding fifteen drops of spirit of vine ; and mix it well With the seed on the evening when it is to be sown. As soon as the crop attains the height of four inches, it will be re- quisite to weed it ; an operation which ought to be performed with the greatest care, that the flax may not be trodden down. If it be al- lowed to grow longer, the stalks will be so much bent and broken, that they never regain their former straightness. When the weeds are carefully eradicated, they should be carried off the field, and on no ac- count be suffered to lie in the fur- rows, because they often strike root aenin, and thus injure the growth of the flax. This plant becomes ripe when it is in full blossom ; but, if it be in- tended to stand for seed, it will not attain to maturity till the milky juice which it affords is dried up ; at which time it is to be pulled, in order to be prepared for the manu- facturer. FLA The first process which flax urv» dergoes, is that of rating, or steep- ing it in water, to loosen and sepa- rate the rind from the stalk. The early flax is generally watered by laying it in bundles, in a pond or reservoir of soft water, where it is pressed down by stones, or other heavy bodies. In the course of a week, the rind will be sufficiently loosened, when the flax ought to be removed from the water, spread out in the air, and dried. Great skill and precaution are necessary in this part of the operation ; for should the flax be left too long in the water, the filaments or threads will become rotten and useless : it will therefore be preferable to take it out rather at an earlier period,- than to leave it too long in the pits. Another process is that of dew- r'tpening ; which is performed by spreading the flax on the grass, s6 that the joint action of the rain and dew produces an effect similar to' that of rating. In some parts of German)-, it is never steeped in water, but only exposed for several weeks to the air, rain, and sun j by which it is said to become finer and softer than by any other me- thod. To these operations may be add- ed that of rippling, namely, the. separating of the seed from the stalk, by passing the flax through a kind of comb before it is rated or watered. These combs are made of iron, the teeth of which are so - closely set together, that the heads cannot pass through, and conse- quently are pulled oft. Some cultivators, however, beat the seed out in the field where it grew, instead of rippling, by means of a heavy piece of wood fastened to a bundle > after which it is sifted clean into a large sheet. la