ing” process, or frolic, was a part of the social life of the community I will leave the description of it for the chapter on the social life of the settlers. '

The Flax Braking

The manufacture of flax into clothing was another great home industry. The flax, when mature, was pulled up roots and all,—not cut with a hook or scythe like grain. The first stage in the process of manufacture, was the braking. This was an amusement and an industry combined. It was a good way to work. While it was, for the most part, a home industry, it frequently was made a community affair. A rollicking good time was enjoyed at it. The flax had to be very dry before it could be broken; this drying was done by making a high table, the cover of which was composed of small poles laid a few inches apart; the flax was spread out on these poles and a moder- ate fire kept burning beneath it. This was done out-of-doors; a place was selected on the edge of the woods, near the house. This work was frequently carried on into the night. The fires of these drying kilns made a cheerful light. It was like gathering around a camp fire. The young peoples songs and shouts mingled with the sound of the brakes, and the scutch and the hackle. Occasionally accidents happened, or mischievous boys played tricks and caused trouble and loss. The dry flax which was very inflammable sometimes got knocked down into the fire, and broke out into a fierce flame. If it were not extinguished quickly it would mount up and set the bush on fire, and make a wild display of fireworks. The workers would snatch up what flax they could and the brakes and run for their lives. It was a dangerous ac- cident, or trick, and often caused severe burns to the workers, and loss of flax. If the one who played the trick were found. out he would not be allowed at a flax braking again, or severer punishment given him. The brake consisted of a long thick plank, or log, with long legs, like a high bench; this plank was sawn into thick boards, every other one of which was cut off so it could be lifted; these and the sta- tionary ones were sharpened like blunt knives. A strong bolt was put through one end of the two sets of blades; the upper ones could be lifted up by a handle at the other end. When this set was let down the blades fitted into the spaces below. The flax was taken in bunch- ,

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