The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1884-10-24
A WORD TO FARMERs.
Flax Culture i'm the Northwest.

S''Aso w
manner of diversifcation. In some sections
he has already discovered in others he is rapid
ly learning, that exclusive devotion to single
crop is not winning policy. II bad years it
leaves him short as to amount of product; in
good seasons it makes him competitor in
market of ruinously low prices. This has been
the experience Of the great majority Of those
who yielded to the prevailing idea that the
Northwestern farmer could raise wheat and
nothing but wheat, But if there is to be
change, it is of no use to preach diversifcation
in general terms. What the farmer wants to
know is specifically to what he should devote
his attention and labors great deal has
been said about the advantages and profits of
stock raising and dairying, and great deal
more remains to he said. But if we are to
have diversified agriculture-and on no other
foundation can a solid, enduring, prosperous
agricultural interest be built up-we want
more items than this. We want good long
list OF occupations and of products among
which the labor of the farmer may be distrib-
uted with safety and profit. To point out some
Of these and the opportunities they have to
offer is to perform substantial service for the
farmer of the Northwest
In this connection it will be well for our ag-
riculturlsts to give little thought to the pro-
gress and profits Of flax culture; an industry
which has grown with extraordinary rapidity
in this section, and promises 10 occupy per-
manently all important place in our agricul-
ture. The growing of flax, if not itself carried
to extremes, offers to the farmer an avenue of
escape from the dangers which gather about
the reliance upon any one product Flax cul-
ture in the United States is a very recent inno-
vation. Up to about 1865, such mills for the
manufacture of linseed oil as existed in this
country were largely supplied with their raw
material by importations from England and
the East The flax industry began with the
efforts of the mill men to obtain domestic
supply, and for this purpose quantities of seed
were distributed among the farmers, and the
cultivation of the plant urged by every argyll
lnent that might be able to overcome their con-
stitutional conservatism. As Western mills
came into existence the same policy followed,
and loans or even gifts of seed were made to
farmers to induce them to assist in the enter
prise. 1t took but a few years to convince
them by money returns that they had found
profitable occupation, and the cultivation of
flax has annually covered wider area and
been more assiduously followed. The plant
has been found to flourish remarkably in the
rich, new soil Of the Northwestern states, and
| the productof seed has now reached proportions
which astonish those who have not made a
study Of the subject. Estimates of the entire
crop Of the United States vary widely 1t is
assumed, however, that last years yield aggre-
gated from $500, 600 TO 1881, 900 bushels and
| that the crop now being marketed will, by
reason Of an increased acreage of 25 per cent
and better average yield, reach from S,00O,-
900 to 9,000,0 900 bushels. But the most remark
able feature Of this production is that the crop
Of Minnesota and Dakota comprises probably
one-half the entire yield of the United States.
In Minnesota the crop is put at 2,0OO0 900 bush
els, while that of Southern Dakota alone will
reach from 100000 to 2, ,25O,0OO bushels. The
reasons for this sudden springing into promi-
nence lie very near the surface. In casting
about for some product by which to supply the
need of diversifying agriculture, farmers were
induced to make trial of flax. The results
were such as to encourage them to the utmost.
A feature Of peculiar adaptation to new
country in its culture is the fact that it can be
grown Immediately after breaking. Usually
the work of breaking ground is unproductive
except as preparation for the future, but it is
found that flax can he sown as breaking crop
with excellent results, the first years yield
frequently paying all expenses, and sometimes
leaving comfortable margin toward paying
for the land itself. The plant yields here more
abundantly than in the East, producing on all
average all equal or greater number Of bushels
to the acre than wheat. As the price this sea.
son has remained steady at from 81 to $1.1t
per bushel, with crop Of from fifteen to
eighteen bushels per acre, it is not to be won.
dered at that farmers who have tried the ex.
pertinent of flax culture are remarkably well
satisfied with the pecuniary results.
There is no reason why the culture of this
plant should not be much more universal than
it is. Our soil is exeellently adapted to it, il
thrives well in northern latitudes, producing
abundantly across our northern boundary, anG
it is even less subject than grain products tt
climatic dangers. About the only thing to bt
feared is an excessively wet harvest season
which ruins the seed by softeaing and decay
But this is less threatening than tile danger.
which MANAGE other products, while the pros
pect that there will be constant demand fol
fax seed at good-prces is excellent We still
import large Quantities of oil and seed which
n ia o;ho for our far,uaro tn produca Will.
it is probable that other portions Of the plan
will be more carefully utilized in the futur,
than at present. The fibre, elsewhere consid
cred the most valuable portion, is here allowed
to great extent to go to waste. A few mill
for manufacturing it into tow to be used fo
upholstering purposes exist in the Northwest
and the fibre for this purpose is worth from
$40 to $25 per ton. But there seems to be nj
reason why, with careful cultivation and har
, vesting, the same plant should not furnish til,
average quantity Of seed and also supply tin
long fbres that are used in the manufactur,
| of cordage. The residium Of the grain afte
the oil has been expressed was formerly ethe
discarded or exported for what it would bring
Its value for mixing is now beginning to b
appreciated by American feeders, and dairy
men are glad to purchase it for their stock
The whole product of the linseed oil mill at st
Paul is thus disposed Of in the dairying district
west Of Chicago. The facts Which expert
mental flax culture have disclosed are such a
to make it most important adjunct to the di
! versfcaton Of agriculture. Farmers of til
Northwest who are not altogether satisie
. with the results of exclusive devotion to Whea