More Info →Flax hanks laid out to dry

Description

The hanks were collected by "paddockers" on horse and cart and taken to the fields where they were laid out on the ground in rows to dry and bleach by the action of the weather and the sunlight.

After three or four days when the upper side was sufficiently bleached, the fibre was turned over to bleach the other side.

After about 10 days the fibre if dry was banked up and either taken to the scutching shed or made into stacks.

If it had not dried sufficiently the fibre was hung on drying lines or fences.

Photo: Palmerston North Public Library - used in Bob Ayson's book Miranui.

Identification