The operation of scutching necessarily causes a waste of fibre, because, however much care be used, some of the fibre is broken by the action of the scutching blade, and also by adhesion to por tions of the woody part of the straw. This waste is called " scutching - tow," or " cedilla "; " tow " proper results from the sub sequent operation of hackling. Al though less valuable than the original fibre, it has considerable worth, being used according to its quality, for spinning yarns for twines, sackings, canvas, linen, and similar purposes. The cedilla drops to the ground behind the partitions, and contains a large quantity of boon, which must be separated. This is done in the first instance by rough handshaking; as, however, it is impossible to get all the boon out in this manner, it is afterwards passed through a " shake-willow," very similar to the " rag-willow," described under the bead of Rags, with certain modifications to adapt it to this special work. In this machine, almost all the boon is taken out of the cedilla, which is then packed in bales ready for sale. The quality depends on the quality of the flax, and its treatment. The great improvement that has taken place of late years in the construction of machines for preparing and spinning tows has caused them to rise very much in value. The principal point in scutching is to make as little tow as possible ; the next point is to send the latter into the market clean and free from boon, so as to ensure a high price for it.
As a rule, scutching-mills are worked by steam-power. It is a very important fact that, with properly constructed engine and boiler, the "boon " or woody matter separated from the flax-straw is quite sufficient fuel for generating the steam required.
(b) Machine-scutching, called also " barrel-scutching," in contradistinction to the scutching mill, which is an " arm-scutch," is effected by a revolving drum or cylinder a, placed in a cast-iron frame, and covered with sheet iron I, as seen in Figs. 677, 678. Around the periphery of the drum, and parallel with its axis, are fixed tough, flexible wooden blades, the leading edges c of which are sharpened ; at the back of each blade, is a row of semicircular metallic scrapers d, resembling finger nails ; and behind them, projecting metallic blades e. In front of the machine, are two iron stocks or face-boards f, pivoted at, the base, and adjustable by means of screws and lock-nuts. On the inner surface of the stocks, are fixed sheet-iron curved spring-plates g, also adjustable ; and, at each side of the machine, is an opening in the cast-iron frame, to allow the straw to enter. The opera tion is as follows :—The workman takes a streak of the straw, and inserts one end of it through the opening in the side of the stock, retaining the other end in his hands. The revolving blades strike the straw in the direction of its length. The metallic scrapers answer the purpose of human fingers, in separating the straw, and exposing new portions to the action of the blades. Meantime, the workman gradually slides the straw towards the centre of the machine, and withdraws it through the space between the two stocks. He then inserts the unscutched end to be similarly treated. Having thus rough•scutched the whole streak, he hands it to his neighbour, whose blades arc set more closely, and by him the scutching is finished. Each machine thus requires two work men—a " buffer," and a "finisher." The machines are placed in a row, side by side, but indepen dently in a room, and arc driven by a shaft and pulleys. The back of each machine is provided with a fan for drawing off the dust, boon, tow, &c., into a flue which delivers ontside the building. This plan is gradually going out of use.
The following illustrations of switching machinery are dne to Thomas Barraclough, Engineer, Manchester. As to the relative merits of the two systems, it may generally be assumed that in large establishments, with skilled labour, scutohing-mille are the better, because the cheaper in first cost ; for small establishments, where the labour is not so efficient, scutobing-machines are preferable.
There are now many advocates for brushing the flax before baling it for market. For this purpose, the brushing-machine described under Agave americana (p. 912) is used. It is said that 58.-10s. a ton expended on the brushing of the fibre will add 21.-41. a ton to its value.
Local Modifications.—The above-described methods of cultivating the flax-plant, and preparing its fibre, refer more particularly to the industry as conducted in Ireland, much of the information having been obtained through the kind services of Michael Andrews, the energetio Secretary of the Flax Supply Association, Belfast. For those who intend introducing the culture into new districts, interest will attach to the following brief description of the principal local deviation, as adopted by the chief flax-producing countries, taken in their alphabetical order.
Belgium.—Both white and blue blossom is grown ; the former yields a coarse, but abundant and strong, fibre, chiefly used in admixture with hemp ; the latter gives a finer, softer, and more valuable fibre. A north-east aspect is preferred; in sheltered spots, the fibre is weakened by the too vigorous growth of the etalk in warm (lamp weather. Sewage, and stimulating artificial manures are used, but are usually applied to the preceding crop. The finest and strongest flax is grown on loamy land ; but selection of soil is deemed second to good tillage and manuring ; sandy and cold clay soils, however, are objectionable. The land is ploughed in October-November, out of corn stubble, after pota toes, mangold, or beet. A month or two before sowing time, it is dressed with powdered colza cake, and watered with liquid manure. At sowing time (20th Feb. till end of March), it is harrowed and rolled, the seed is sown, and the land is rolled again ; seed used, about 7 bush. to 2i acres. In light land, the flax is hand-rolled when abraird. Pulling begins about 24th June ; when the reed is fine, it is left longer to ripen than when coarse ; when the best quality is required, it is pulled before the seed is ripe enough for sowing. The handfuls are etonked the same day, without being tied in beets, in the form shown in Fig. 679 ; the stooks are tied at each end. Here it remains till dry enough for tying into beets, which are built into " hedges." These are formed by laying two poles on the ground, and ranging the beets on them, about 8-10 beets high, the tops and butts reversed alternately, the length of the hedge depending upon the quantity ; one row is then laid lengthwise along one edge, and on this are placed the butt-ends of another row, forming a slanting surface ; the ends and top arc carefully straw-thatched, to keep out sun and rain, and two poles are driven into the ground at each end as a support. A hedge is seen in Fig. 680. The flax remains in hedge tin dry enough for storing or stacking-about 1 month in favourable weather,-being occasionally examined. If heating occurs, the hedge is taken down and rebuilt. When dry, the flax is removed to store or stack, there to await the retting process in the following spring. Before retting, the beets are placed on a floor, and the seed is threshed out with the mallet shown in Fig. 681. Two beets, with butts and tops reversed, are then tied together with 3 straw bands, forming " bundles," as seen in Fig. 682.