The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-10
Attention, Farmers!
why Not Pay More Attention to
6he Culture or FIax?-Some OF
the Many Advantas es.
Outw1ttiDg the Binding Twine
MOnopOly-The System of
Culture I'm Europe.

interest to the farmers OF this coun
try. Ii deals with the fax and heml
culture in Europe, as well as the pres
ent status OF the same industry in th'
United States. The author OF the re
port is Charles r. Dodge, special agen
OF the agricultural department.
During the season OF 1880 Mr.. Dodg
spent some six months in Europe
where, among other things, he studiet
the methods OF fibre culture there pre-
vailing, more especially fax and hemp
He also gave particular attention tt
the machines used in the manufactur,
Of fabrics.
Upon his return 30 his native coun
try he entered upon q similar limo O
investigation with view OF bringing
about O knowledge OF the progres.
and present status OF the fibre indus
try on both sides OF the Atlantic ur
to date.
During Mr.. Dodge's investigation ir
Europe he found that the finest fIas
was grown in western Belgium, mainly
IN the valley OF the river Lys, tn,
town OF Courtrai being the center o.
the industry. Here is produced that
creamv Flemish fax, from which the
most delicate fabrics are made, owine
It's color to the famed stream, the
Golden Lys," in which the Courtrai
fax is always reted.
Mr.. Dodge was informed in Europe
that fax succeeded best when sown in
deep, well cultivated soil that is not
too heavy, experience proving that in
dry chalkly soil the stalk remains
short, while in heavy, clayey soil it
grows very long, although it's fiber is
not so fine. The ground is plowed or
spaded in the fail or spring, for q great
deal OF fax land is turned over with
the spade. The work may be begun in
November, sometimes a little earlier,
or it may be put of until February or
the first OF March. Mr.. Dodge was
told that each method had it's advo.
Gates and opponents, and that either
way may be advantageous or disad.
N6nuhKoous, sCCoEuiuk W Guc kiuu vi
winter following or..preceding. In the
matter OF enriching the soil there is no
halfway work or turning short cor.
ners. Where stable manure Is used II
is generally put on before winter sets
in. Then, in spring, before sowing
time, the ground is heavily treated
with fertilizers or night soil in solution
is poured over it. Stable manures
are used in connection with chemical
fertilizers. Ot the latter it is com.
mon to employ from 600 or 500 kilo.
grams per hectare. or, roughly, from
500 to TOO pounds per acre, and to
60 over the ground with the night soil
in addition. But the Belgian fax
grower does not depend on careful fer
tilizirg or cultivation alone to put the
soil into proper condition. q careful
system ofcrop probation forming very
important part OF his care and atten.
ton.
Mr. Dodge also investigated fax cul.
ture in France and Ireland. In both
OF these countries he found the farm
ers not as careful "a those in Belgium:
yet the success in France and Ireland
is only obtained by close skill and at
tention to details.
United States he says that it is prop.
er In the very outset to look the facts
squarsly in the face. There 10 at pres
ent produced in this country very lit.
tie fine fax that would compete with
the fine line fax imported for manu-.
facture into the higher grades OF yarn.
He says that il is equally true that
the farmers in this country do not
now, nor have they for many year, il
ever, followed the careful methods in
culture, treatment, harvesting and
retting the straw, practiced in the
prominent fax growing countries oil
Europe. As there are degrees OF skill
In growing flax there are grades IN its
manufacture. Therefore, 1t must not
be assumed that because we cannot
at once produce a quality fit for table.
domestic or linen thread that we can.
not produce q fibre At for any form oil
manufacture from fax. Mr.. Dodge is
persuaded that, with proper ..encour.
agement, fine fax can be produced in
this country. There is no reason why
hemp culture should not be extended
over dozen states and the product
used in manufactures which now con
sumo thousands OF tons OF imported
fibres.
In the manufacture of binder twint
alone there IL an outlet for 90, ,OOO
tonslof hemp annually. The twine,
as now made from MANILA and sisal
chiefly is unsatisfactory. the first ma.
terial being no better than hemp and
the last quite inferior. American
hemp twine is said TO run 100 feet
more to the pound than that made oI
sisal, fye pounds OF the American
hemp twine, at the same price per
pound as sisal, going as Tar as six oI
siral, giving an advantage OF IT pei
cent in favor oil the use OF American
hemp.
When the market for binder twine
was first created American hemp fill
ed the deinand, the more carefully
prepared articles. straight or dressed
hemp, being employed. About 10
years aAo the demand increased be-
yond the supply of native hemp and
to meet the exiRency other fibers were
employed. Manila and sisal came
into use and as the consumption OF
binder twine grew to it's present
enormous proportions these fibers
held their position In the market and
hemp was relegated TO the back.
ground. The recent high price OF sisaI
and manila twine has again called
attention TO hemp. BIZ lessening the
cost OF production by the use OF labor
saving machinery in all operations oil
production. IL has been possible Ia
cheaper hemp and, with O little
present protection the foreign fibers
can be driven out OF the market and
farmers receive two.fold benefit from
the change.
The grain growers win be the home
producers and. In point OF fact. will
only take from their own pockets In
buying twine. what they got tor their
raw hemp, with the simple cost OF the
manufacture and dealers profits
added. IL is proposed as O relief ior
ths American farmer from the unwar.
ranted high price Of binder twine last