Bast is the inner bark of exogenous trees, especially of thel ime or linden, consisting of several layers of fibres. The manufacture of bast into mats, ropes, shoes, etc, was in some districts of Russia a considerable branch of industry, bast mate, used for packing- furniture, covering' plants in gardens, etc, being exported in large quantities during the 19th century. Though the term is usually restricted, many of the most important fibres of former commerce, such as hemp, flax, jute, etc, were the products of bast or liber. Research Bast
Canvas is a coarse, unbleached cloth made from hemp or flax and used for sails, tents, etc. When prepared for portrait-painting it is classed as kit-cat, 28 by 36 inches, three-quarters, 25 by 30; half-length, 40 by 50; bishop's half-length, 44 or 45 by 56;
bishop's whole length, 58 by 94. Research Canvas
In agriculture. Drilling is the plan of sowing seeds in parallel rows as distinguished from sowing them broadcast. The drilling method of sowing was introduced into England by Jethro Tull, who published a work on the subject in 1731. The crops which are now generally drilled are turnips, potatoes, beans, pease, carrots, clover, cereals, flax, etc. The first form of drill was of very simple construction, and was only adapted for sowing one row at a time, but now a great variety of improved implements are in use. Among the principal advantages of drilling over broadcast sowing we may mention that a considerable saving of seed is effected in the sowing of grain crops, but the great advantage is that in the case of green crops it enables the farmer more readily to clean the land both by the hand and by mechanised hoes. To keep the soil stirred and pulverized, which can only be properly done when the crops have been drilled, favours the retention and absorption of the moisture. Research Drilling
A hackle is a board set with sharp steel spikes for combing or pulling out hemp or flax to dispose the fibres in parallelism and to separate the long and the short threads. Research Hackle
Tarpaulin is a heavy weather-proof cloth manufactured chiefly in Scotland and used for protecting goods and seaman's hats and similar defences against the weather. Tarpaulin is made from hemp, flax, cotton or jute treated with tar or similar substances. Research Tarpaulin
Dodder (Cuscuta) is a genus of parasitic plants belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, with branched, climbing, cord-like stems, no leaves, and globular heads of wax-like flowers. The seeds germinate in the ground, and the young plants climb the stems of the adjoining plants, and when they have taken root in them lose their connection with the ground. Dodders inhabit all the temperate and warmer regions of the globe. Two species are natives of England (Cuscuta europoea), with reddish stems and yellowish flowers, found on nettles, vetches, etc, and Cuscuta Epithymum found on furze, thyme, heather, clover, etc. Several exotic species have been introduced with cultivated seeds, as flax and clover. Research Dodder
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Bast
