Len has long been widely used in various fields of human life and activity. Every year, thousands of hectares of Belarusian fields are planted with this crop, tons of crops are harvested from the land, they are processed by factories, factories to create and offer consumers high-quality goods.
Plant description
Common flax is an annual or perennial plant from the flax family. The stem is smooth, branched to the apex, reaches a height of 125 cm. The flowers are located in the upper part of the stems, where they form paniculate inflorescences. The main place of growth is non-chernozemous, moist loamy soil of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Currently, more than two hundred species of plants are known, but in flax production one is used - ordinary.
Growing Features
Sowing flax is popularly called slate, flint and cultural. Sowing begins in the spring, in the month of April, and preparation - from the fall. Flax grows well on fertilized soil, which is why it is customary to plant it after potatoes or crops. After collecting flax, winter rye and oats are planted in the prepared soil, since flax seeds act as a field cleaner.
Use and use
The plant has found wide application in landscape design, lovers of delicate blue shades sow the garden with flaxen curls, and fans of red color plant a large-flowered look. Florists and decorators use curly linen boxes to make bouquets and compositions with dried flowers.
Flax seeds are used to make butter. Traditional medicine and homeopaths recommend eating grains in their natural form, adding to everyday food, because they contain important vitamins, fiber and vegetable proteins. It is proved that flax has a positive effect on brain activity, helps to increase immunity.
For medicinal purposes, only threshed seeds obtained during the harvest are used. Due to its useful properties, decoctions and infusions of flax are also useful in severe diseases and oncology.
For inflammatory infections of the throat and oral cavity, systematic rinsing with flax decoction is recommended. 3 grams of seeds are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and the boil is continued to boil for 15 minutes over low heat, insist 30 minutes. Then filter through cheesecloth and apply several times in knocks until the condition improves. However, one should not get carried away with the advice of traditional healers, unfortunately, there are contraindications to the use of plants. For example, patients with diarrhea or intestinal infections should not use flax.
Harvesting and harvesting
For flax harvesting in the Gomel region, in order to obtain a good harvest, exact harvest dates have been set, deviation from which is fraught with a decrease in the volume of production. Unfortunately, losses can occur under circumstances independent of the human factor: inappropriate weather conditions and temperature conditions.
Belarus is the main exporter of flax raw materials and products. In 2015, the percentage of flax harvesting in the Kormyansky district decreased significantly due to the heat, but, nevertheless, at the Godny Gomel region, they occupy a leading position in the country in planting and harvesting plants. Harvest preparation begins with improving access roads to fields, currents, mowing land, marking plots, etc. Agronomists set the order for picking according to the maturation of the plant on the field.
In the fall of 2017, flax harvesting in Gomel acquired a serious scale, hundreds of people were sent to the fields to help agricultural workers. They collected the plant by hand, tied it in sheaves and made it on the field, thanks to the responsiveness of the Gomel people it was possible to save the crop.
Basically, flax harvesting in the Gomel region is carried out using specialized agricultural equipment. At the stage of flax flaxing, separate and combine technologies are used. To prepare the flax trusts, the stalks that are worn out are left on the field for up to 40 days. In order to improve product quality, linen ribbons are recommended to be wrapped and fluffed. In the process of flax harvesting in Gomel and other regions of Belarus, two-line self-propelled haulers are used for separate collection and trailed flax harvesters for seed crops.
The main technology for harvesting flax trusts is roll, for this purpose balers of Belarusian production are used. After harvesting, products are delivered to storage sites, finished rolls are taken out of the field within 24 hours, and then distributed to plants and factories for further processing.
Use of procured material
Harvesting flax for processing into yarn begins in the phase of early ripeness, when the flax boxes are yellowish-green in color. For the production of costume or linen fabrics, a long one is selected and the combed flax fiber is modified. Short technical fibers are used for the manufacture of canvas and burlap. Flax processing is a process, the waste of which has found application in human life. Hard and short fibers are processed into tow and used as insulation, and the fire is used to generate heat during technical processes. The quality of the raw materials produced is regulated at the state level by special standards.
Oil and fabric production
The preparation of seeds for linseed oil is started when the green fruits remain in the minority and occupy up to five percent of the total crop. Three enterprises are engaged in oil production in Belarus. Special varieties are selected for the manufacture of the product, the grains are dried and pressed in a cold way. Waste goes to feed animals. The main volume of production is sold in the country, and the rest is exported to Russia, Poland and Ukraine.
Flax goes a long way before becoming a fabric. The raw material is subjected to several stages of processing, it is soaked, dried, creased and treble. After that, the material is pressed and sent to the spinning mill. Scissors, tow and long fiber are taken for the manufacture of textile products. Products made of linen fabrics have a pleasant appearance, do not cause allergies, are durable.
Harvesting and processing of raw materials in the old days
The knowledge about the properties of flax was passed down from generation to generation by our ancestors; from time immemorial, its beneficial properties saved from diseases, cold and hunger. Mostly women and girls went to the harvest, the sown plantations were divided, the flax was harvested manually. Harvesting was a difficult but enjoyable process, accompanied by folk songs, jokes and ditties.
“... Flax, flax, flax, flax blossoming all around.
And the one you like is not in love with me ... "
Flax sprouts were uprooted, tied into small sheaves and made up in dibs, resting them on top of each other. In the fall, the ligaments were left on the wintering field, and the following spring they were pulled apart and spread on a mown field to dry until autumn colds. In winter, the raw materials were collected and taken away for processing to the booths. To separate the grains from the stem, the sheaves were threshed by chains manually, then divided into bunches and crushed. Treated flax was cleaned of bones: kept on weight and beaten with rug. Then they started combing, at the first stage they received low-grade fiber, then they were treated with a fine brush, the remaining product was considered the best in quality.
Yarn
The raw materials were whipped and fluffed, then laid out on a flat surface, often on a table, moistened with water, so they got tow. Spinning art was taught from early childhood, so young children and adolescents took part in this process. The spinning wheels were made of linden or aspen, and the spindle was made of birch. From the threads weaved a cloth that was used for sewing clothes, towels and bed linen.
The work was usually accompanied by funny songs and ditties, and the result was sometimes put on public display, where the craftswomen could compete in skill with each other. Linen products were required in a chest with a dowry, and the bride had to make them herself.