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PREFACE. FLAX culture and praparation, though ranking amongst the oldest of the worlds industries, is nevertheIess very imperfectIy supplied with any publications which present in seriatim a compIetc description of thc essential and possiblc methods connected wit, h the selection of sced, suitability of land anti its prcparatiori, harvesting and handling of flax crops, incltxding rcttir g, s cutching, preparing the flax for the market and the saving of seed for subscqueut sowings or fcotiing purposes. It was with a vicw of ncutralixing to some extent this cleficiency, that I consented to propare for publication in Foolr form t, Ile results of a long and enthrasiastic study of the pro blems associated with the ultivat io a n n d preparation of this national, csscritial and commerciaI commodity. Speaking generally, I have long been ardcntly interested, theoretically and practically, in flax cultivation and prbeparation. As a result of much study, numerous discussions with prodrlcers arid experimenters, observations and tabulated experiences, I have naturally formed some definite conclusions, even on such a subjcct as Flax, in any branch of which, every experimenter and obscrvcr has a different opinion to offer. The substance of thcsc cxpcricnces I have embodied in my lectures to the students at the Municipal Technical Institute, Belfast. These classes have recently been particularly wcll attended by successive groups of demobilized officers and men arid farmers sons who have gone, or are going out to British East Africa to grow flax, among other crops, for thornothcr country. This volume embodics not only the above-mentioned lectures, but also includes an exhaustive description of the .usual methods practised md the recent dcveloprnents and modem1 methods of httudling flax arid thc possiFiIitjes connected with flax cultivation from seed, to seed and fibre Tncidentally, the future of the Linen Irldustry depe ltls primariIy for its continued success and increase upon the supply of its raw rna, teriaI-flax, and it is hoped that this treatise will contribute to encourage many to grow flax who hitherb0 never a, ttempted to do so, pcrha. ps, from a lack of holdedge of the subjcct, its natural importance a, nd its rern nerat iivpeo ssibilities. At the sa, me time the work shoultl be helpful in its suggestions to a11 otllera interested in thc growth, preparation, spinning, weaving and distribution of lirleri rna, teriala. RIy tha, nks are due to Mr. A. R, ...
