EUROPEAN FLAX.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2072, 14 October 1880, Page 3

EUROPEAN FLAX.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PBESS. Sib, —In your issue of the 9th instant Mr M. Murphy’s letter on the growth of flax (Linum proprium) as a native industry was certainly most interesting and instructive. He refers to me as a successful grower. I must here remind your readers that I am no authority except as a seed grower, the high opinion I have formed of utilising the straw being based on many years’ conversation with experienced North of Ireland neighbors, &o. The growth of seed alone is open to considerable comment re most suitable soil, tillage of same, quantity of seed per acre, seed time, harvesting, &0., &o. At intervals during the past seventeen years I have grown it in this district, on soils varying from the light sandy alluvial to the heaviest loam on clay subsoil, with satisfactory results; but my last crop, yielding forty bushels per acre, was grown on land of excellent quality and of medium strength, being part of “ Green Hayes Estate," the property of John Hayhurst, Esq. In early days seed was very scarce and dear, and every pound was economised to cover as much ground as possible. By this means a larger return of seed for weight sown was made, and that of superior quality; but the straw would have been quite useless, being extremely coarse and brittle. 1 found (when land became more valuable and yield per acre had to be studied), that I must bo more liberal with my seed, and where I grew forty bushels per acre, I think I drilled about 301 bof seed per acre. I think I may be safe in stating if we grow flax for seed and fibre (viz,, the “Oourtrai” system mentioned by Mr M. Murphy), that considerably more seed could be sown to advantage, rendering the straw fine and more suitable for production of fibre, without being so thick as to materially injure the crop of seed. I quite agree with Mr Murphy in his suggestions re seed bed—viz., fine tilth and rolling before and after drilling, which insures a regular depth in deposit of seed, and a level surface to allow close reaping. I have sown linseed from September to November with most satisfactory results, but should certainly recommend all operations to be completed this month. It is a seed which germinates very quickly, and the plant is developed very fast, harvest frequently commencing thirteen weeks from seed time.

It is a crop that can be grown to advantage as a last wherewith to lay down clovers and grasses, while the same land (exhausted by injudicious white straw cropping) would be comparatively worthless. Trusting lam not trespassing too far on your valuable space, I am, &0., Edw. Pilbeow. Temnka, October 13th, 1880.