These are shocks of flax set up to dry. This is the first step in a long process to obtain linen. We will also have seed for our next crop plus seed to use as feed or to extract oil from. Flax seed is 20% oil so that could yield a fair amount. The oil was traditionally used as a lamp oil as well as a furniture finish. The flax is pulled rather than cut in the traditional manner and then bundles are made. Each bundle is a handful and is tied with several stalks of flax as shown in the bottom pic.After there are 20-30 bundles made up they are stood, leaning against each, other to form the shock.
They will be left in these shocks to dry down. After they are dry the seed pods, each of which contain about 10 seeds, will be removed. Every plant has multiple seed pods. The pods then will be crushed and the chaff winnowed out. The bundles will then be retted to break down the "glue" that holds the fiber to the stalk. The fiber is about 10% of the stalks bulk. Removing it is a many step process that uses many specialized tools. I am in the process of building those tools now and should have some pics soon. So far I have the first tool we need done. It is
called a rippling comb and is used to remove the seed pods from the bundles of flax. I made mine with 22, 31/2 inch long nails brazed to a piece of angle iron. The nails are spaced about 1/4 inch apart. I attached it to a box to catch the seed pods. I will see if it actually works when the flax is dry. This is all learn as we go so you never know.
Hello Roger, I found your very nice photos of flax while searching for an image to use on a webpage about a man who was a flax merchant in Lithuania in the early 1900s. The page will be on this website in the "Memories" section: http://www.kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/troskunai/index.htm
ReplyDeleteWould you give me permission to use one or two of your photos? The website is noncommercial. It's just a way to preserve memories of people who came from one very small town. Thank you - Johanna (joko@pangolyn.com)