Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1889 — NEW AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. [ARTICLE]

NEW AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

The Growing of Flax to Supersede - That of Whea—Linen Manufacture. : i- WWiams, the assiatant secretary of agriculture.hadnnder feonsideration a letter from Ireland which, he thinks, may offer a solution of the economic problem: “What shall take the place bt wheat on farms where it cannot longer be raised ata profit 0 ” The writer, who has been familiar with flaxgrowing and linen manufacturing since 1840, says in his interesting communication: “There are only two establishments weaving—one at Webster, Mass., and the other at Appleton, Wis., the latter doing but little and neither weaving anything finer than crash. There is nothing in the climate or soil connecting with the assertion that just as good flax and linen may be produced in every State in the American Union- air~ig~ any country. Germany now spins and weaves the finest linen,' and she has nd essentially different climate from America. Many things become successful in America from the facility with which, the people take up improved processes and appliances, and this may be the salvation of the linen industry,©! the importance of which there is no question. There s every reason why American farmers should produce 1,000,000 acres of flax for both seed and fiber over and above what is now produced, which would give twelve-mil-lion to fifteen million bushels of seed, worth as many millions of dollars, and 2,500,000 tons of flax straw worth $50,000,000, and from which 500,000 tons of flax fiber would be obtained, worth $100,000,000. Once established, American invention would, as in all other industries, soon build up an industry to consume this material. I wish the state department would start experimental farms to grow a small amount in each state and such private farmers as are disposed to do the same. The flax should be shown upon any good, mellow soil which has been well manured the past year, or active chemical fertilizers may be employed to a reasonable extent. The seed should be sown at the rate of two and a half bushels on an acre of land, brushed in, and no other attention is needed, excepting that any large weeds may be removed until the flax has “turned” for half its length, when it should be pulled, cured and cared for to keep it bright, in the same manner as is done with hay. The seed may be taken off by “rippling’ or by ‘doller thrashing’ and there would be a market for all flax straw thus grown at S2O per ton. The crop should give two and a half tons of straw to an acre and twelve to fifteen bushels of seed. The cost of pulling is, in Canada, $5 an acre.” Prof. Willetts has informed the sender that The subject of Bis letter would be earnestly considered-by the department, which would lend its aid to any effort to increase or diversify the agricultural industry of the country.