On Wednesday 19 December 2001 15:03, Sharon Gordon wrote: > The flax can be retted standing up or in a stream. Apparently > if done in a stream it damages the water quality and the stench > is right up there with sewer or paper plants.
A related quote: After tying the stalks into bundles, we set it in artificial pools or dams to decay the cores. It remained in the water for a forthnight and, as the cores rotted, it set up a stink that would chase a banshee across the Irish Sea. --Leon Uris, Trinity > I have read some descriptions of tools that help to process the fiber. If > you can get a book on this, it could be helpful to create them. Julie has spun and woven flax so that part will be easy for us. The retting and cleaning part is definitely a problem. I found several old quotes saying it was "woman's" work but Julie contends todays women are liberated <grin>. I did find a good book on flax: The Magic of Linen (Flax seed to woven cloth) by: Linda Heinrich Also i found some early pioneer stories about growing flax in this area. One lady survived by growing flax and trading the woven cloth to local natives. At first they thought she was crazy dumping her crop into the water. Then the smell confirmed her insanity. When she begain trading cloth her status changed quickly. jeff
