St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-14
An Experienced Man Puts
That Question to the In
dustrial Union.
Farmers May Make a Profit
in Growing Flax for
the Fiber.
Hon. D. w. LaWler Addresses
the Crusaders on the
Slave Trade,
And Honors All Churches
That Have United to
Stamp 1t Out.

Samuel Vogan, of 332 Rosabel street,
st. Paul, temporarily. is very much in
terested in the subject of local factories,
and is warm advocate of linen weav-
ing establishment, to be operated in
connection with an increased and i'm
proved culture of flax, especially for
tine fiber. He has recently returned
from Russia, where he was employed
in the instruction of the operatives of
an immense flax industry, and IS GER
tainly well posted. He writes the
GLOBE as follows:
1t has been very common of late to
see aired in the large dailies of the
country accounts of the distress that is
supposed to be rampant among the
farmers of the two DakotaS. There is
no room to doubt but that a great deal
of this distress is mythical, but it is
also true that many of these reports
cannot attempt to portray the real suf-
fering that exists in some portions of
Dakota as consequence OF the failure
of the crops.
The writer wishes in this communica-
ton to give few hints to capitalistic
grangers, and to those who so willingly
aided the distressed farmers in procur-
1IlS lHtIl stu tOI Liit. DICSCHG oCdoOIls
and it is his belief that if these hints
are given the consideration they de-
serve, it will be the means of Gvercom-
ing large amount of hardship to farm
ers in the future. L have been a
practical farmer all my life. and what
say here is no fanciful theory, but the
result of actual experience. The new
industry [ wish to suggest is the raising
of fax for the value of the finer, and not
for the seed alone. At present flax
straw, III America, is allowed to rot in
the field for its meager value as a fertil-
ize, or is used for fuel. This is
really waste of one of the
most valuable products of the
iaud. We import the larger part of our
collars and cuffs from foreign lands,
while the very material from which
these and all other linen articles are
made is going to waste in our fields.
The raising of fax fiber for the manu-
facture of linen has for years been one
of the staple industries OF Ireland, Hol-
land. Germany and France, and OF late
years, even the oppressed peasants of
czar-ridden Russia have found out the
value of this pursuit, and now raise as
much fax as wheat. AS 4 result OF this
the manufacturers of linen in Russia
are able to employ 10 advantage, thOuS-
ands Of men and women during the
winter and summer, and yet these mall
ufgcturers are unable to keep up with
the demand made for their linen. And
why is it not practicable to erect fac
tories here IN the Northwest
where shipping facilities for the recep-
ton of the raw material and distribu
ton of the finished article are abun-
dant? Linen can be made here just as
we'll as in Russia. We have the raw
material, and adj that is necessary is
et that some pushing capitalist will erect
the manufactures. There is big money
E in lit for the capitalist and the flax
raiser. Aside from this, it would give
profitable employment to large num-
Der of the working class, and would
greatly increase the volume of COM
merce in the Northwest particularly
and the country generally.
| have been practical flax raiser for
a number of years past. and have been
SO successful in that particular industry
that | was engaged for term of two
years TO instruct the employees of 900
acre farm in Jaroslave, Russia. 1t was
nv business to Superintend the cultiya-
ton OF the fax, and also its manufacture
afterwards into linen according to the
popular and approved Irish methed. l
therefore consider that know WHEREOF
speak when dealing with this subject.
Were | possessed of the capital myself,
would not for moment hesitate about
going into the manufacture OF liien
from our native flax fiber.
1t appears strange to me that the man.
ufacture of binding Irvine from flax
fiber is so greatly agitated, while no
thought or word is given to the more
profitable use of the fiber as material
for the manufacture OF the linen articles
we now import from foreign lands.
Speaking from the financial side of
the matter as regards the farmer, | can
state that at the lowest calculation he
can clear $472O on every acre of flax
raised; this is on the flax fiber alone,
and he still has his returns from the
fiaXSeed, which is also valuable.
do not wish at the present writing to
take up any more of your valuable
space, but shall be pleased to speak of
the matter in detail if you or your read
ers deem it worthy of further discus
sion. should be pleased to see this
matter brought to the attention of the
board of trade of this city, and would
be pleased to answer in person all queS-
lions of committee Of those interested.