Show Flax Is Pulled From Ground Flax is pulled from the ground not cut to preserve the full length of the fiber Harvested it is first seeded de-seeded and then soaked soaked retted retted in in large vats of water a process which rots the stalk from the fiber The retted flax is loaded and car car- carried carried carried ried back baek to the open field where it itis itis itis is to promote drying of the retted stalks Next comes the process in which machines ma ma- machines machines chines separate the woody material from the fiber The fiber is then combed or hackled ready for sale to spinning mills |