New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-12-31
Flax Culture.

To the Editor of the New Ulm RE.
VIEW: There is a very general dispo-
sition among our farmers to greatly
increase the production of flax. The
crop was unusually excellent last season
and it has brought good price. Those
farmers who were fortunate enough
20 sow large amount of flax, find
themselves in easy condition, while
the wheat grower is severely pressed
to make both ends meet, and many
lose money on the wheat crop. 1t is
material, therefor, to increase the crop
that has been profitable.
Now do not wish to he understood
as proferring advise in this matter. l
have no more knowledge about it than
is accessible to everyone, but do wish
to offer some suggestions. No one will
be more pleased than myself to see our
farmers make money. Their interests
are mine, and no one can deny the
fact that my business depends wholly
upon the thrift and prosperity of the
farmer. II flax raising is profitable,
then most certainly want them to
raise fax, and l hall be most happy to
sell them tho necessary machinery for
it, and flax culture requires good deal
of machinery as we'll as wheat culture.
But it seems to me that the farmer
should consider most carefully before
he greatly increases his flax acreage
especially at time when everybody
seems strongly disposed to do the
same. While the crop was very profit
able this year, it might have been no
better or even worse than wheat if it
had been twice as great. It now looks
as if throughout this section and west
clear into Dakota, the farmers are pre-
pairing to SOW several times as much
fax as they did last year. The high
price as compared with other pro.
ducts will stimulate the production
everywhere.
Is it not, therefor, reasonable to
suppose that with fair crop the prlc.
es will be greatly reduced? The hard
times will prevent large building oper-
ations next year, and almost the only
use of fax seed being to make oil for
paints, and there being a smaller de.
mand for paints and an increased sup
ply of oil, is it not certain that the
prices must go downe It seems to me
that every one should consider very
carefully before he greatly increases
his flax production. Flax is hard on
land. The mustard that almost al
ways comes in flax is difficult weed
to get rid Of. Besides, flax takes a
good deal of costly machinery.
STOCK RAISING
Now while I offer only suggestions,
not advise, in regard to fax and
wheat culture, i'll regard to stock ! do
not hesitate to offer positive advise.
I have not, however, lost all faith in
wheat yet. It will not go out of fash
ion. The present low price will dis.
courage production, another year
wheat may bring pretty fair price.
1t seams to me that it would not be
wise to abandon wheat, although it
SHOULD not be raised so extensively as
heretofore. But l have noticed that
the farmer who gives his attention to
stock raising invariably does we'll. /
therefore do not hesitate moment to
advise every farmer to raise stock.
Cattle and horses now bring good
price, and we have not seen the prices
Of stock 80 low yet that the judicious
stock farmer did not make money. He
hires but little help, needs but little
machinery and the most important
item Of all is that he keeps his farm;
lin good prod uctiye condition, while
the wheat and. flax grower is all the
time exhausting his farm. This is a
stock country. We have excellent
lands for grass and hay. Our.
farmers have let the ever abundant
and certain grass crop, that costs
nothing. 60 to decay and destruction
when il could easily BY means Of