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The major fibre flax-producing countries are the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]], [[Poland]], [[France]], [[Belgium]] and the [[Czech Republic]].
The [[soil]]s most suitable for flax, besides the alluvial kind, are deep friable [[loam]]s, and such as contain a large proportion of [[organic matter]] in their composition. Strong [[clay]]s do not answer well, nor soils of a [[gravel]]ly or dry [[sand]]y nature. But whatever be the kind of soil, it ought neither to be in too poor nor too rich a condition because, in the latter case, the flax is apt to grow too luxuriant and produce a coarse sort and, in the former case, the plant affords only a small produce from growing weakly.
[[Image:BreakingFlax.jpeg|thumb|250px|left|Breaking flax]]
When [[grass]] land is intended for flax, it ought to be broken up as early in the season as possible, so that the soil may be duly mellowed by the [[winter]] [[frost]]s, and in good order for being reduced by the [[harrow]]s, when the seed process is attempted. If flax is to succeed a corn crop, the like care is required to procure the aid of frost, without which the surface cannot be rendered fine enough for receiving the seed. Less frost, however, will do in the last than in the first case, therefore the grass land ought always to be earliest [[plough]]ed. At seed time, harrow the land well before the seed is distributed, then cover the seed to a sufficient depth by giving a close double time of the harrows. Waterfurrow the land, and remove any stones and roots that may remain on the surface, which finishes the seed process.
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