. Cyclopedia of farm crops. Farm produce; Agriculture. FLAX FLAX 297 pecks per acre, six pecks being generally considered best. If the flax is grown for seed, it is at the ex- pense of the quantity and quality of fiber, and conversely. The dift'erence is occasioned by the thickness of the seeding. The quantity of seed pro- duced depends on the number of branches that bear the seed-bolls. By sowing two to three pecks per acre, the plants are sufficiently far apart to permit of reasonable branching. Under .such conditions, the straw grows about thirty inches long. When six pecks per acre are see
. Cyclopedia of farm crops. Farm produce; Agriculture. FLAX FLAX 297 pecks per acre, six pecks being generally considered best. If the flax is grown for seed, it is at the ex- pense of the quantity and quality of fiber, and conversely. The dift'erence is occasioned by the thickness of the seeding. The quantity of seed pro- duced depends on the number of branches that bear the seed-bolls. By sowing two to three pecks per acre, the plants are sufficiently far apart to permit of reasonable branching. Under .such conditions, the straw grows about thirty inches long. When six pecks per acre are seeded, the plants are very close together, thus preventing the branching habit and forcing a taller and finer growth. At present, there are but two general methods of sowing, viz., with the so-called grain drill and with the ordinary broadcast seeder. With the former, the seeds are planted in parallel rows six to eight inches apart. All seeds are placed at an even depth and in a compact seed - bed. This method is pre- ferred for seed production, as the plants have a better chance to branch and to form seed - bolls. In broadcasting, the seeds are scat- tered promiscu- ously over the ground and cov- ered by the gangs of cultivating teeth following the seed spouts. By this method, a trifle more seed is needed per acre. For fiber purposes, the broadcast method is said to produce a better and more even quality. Any conditions which stimulate branching or coarseness are adverse to the making of a long, fine fiber. The drill rows permit of an uneven crowding which brings about an uneven growth of the plants (Fig. 407). Place in rotation.—Although flax is not a gross feeder and does not yield profitable returns if planted on the same land year after year, it is not exceptionally "hard" on the soil. It requires an abundance of organic matter in the soil, and for this reason follows corn (for which barnyard ma- nure has been applied), a clover sod, or a grass- ley to good advan
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