School: Cormeen (roll number 6821)

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1. Hand Scutching of Flax

   

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   The hand scutching of flax ceased to be carried on in this district about 40 years ago. Previous to that time it was all done by hand, there were no scutching mills as there are to day. First the flax had to be dried this was done by what was called a pipe kiln. The flax was placed on something like a bench about 4 feet high under this ran a pipe which was heated by a fire of shous at the front. In smaller holdings those who had not pipe kilns had what they called "flake kilns". These were similar to an iron gate placed on two hobs about 4 feet high above the fire. This held 16 or 18 beet of flax this they called a flake. The fire was made of coal or coke, made quite clear without a blaze before putting it up to dry. It was then kept turned until thoroughly dry. It was then given to men who beetled it. These men were called "beetlers". The beetle used was similar to the one used to the present day to pound

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Ellie Leary

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Lisnalee, Co. Monaghan

   Informant

   Mr P. Mc Entee

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   60

   Address

   Radrum, Co. Monaghan