Morris tribune., 1890-01-01
More About Flax Raising.

With the proper machinery for con-
verting the flax fiber into binding twine,
rope and cordage, there is no doubt that
an industry of the highest Importance
would be developed here in Minnesota,
as we'll as in other parts of the North
west. The very best quality of flax
straw is grown here, and all that is
needed is the right kind of machinery to
manufacture it into twine, sc.
At present the farmers have to, pay
from Is to 16 cents pound for MANILA
and sisal binding twine. For jute
twine, which is recent introduction,
the price is less. (We quite from the
Minneapolis JournaD. The MANILA and
sisal are imported fibers, and the price is
not likely to be reduced. When the
most excellent flax fiber can be raised at
home and manufactured cheaply the ad-
vantage to the farmer may readily be
perceived. There is fax binding
twine mill in New Jersey; but such an
establishment should be located in this
state, or rather several of them should
be established here, and the subject is
certainly worthy of the attention of the
people of the state. The demand for
good binding twine is very large and the
market is sure one.
J. Ii. Sherman, of Albert Lea, who is
in Canada investigating the flax mill in
dustry there, writes to the Albert Lea
Standard as follows from Baden:
The growing of flax is done by farm
ers in two different ways, and either
way will pay Freeborn county farmers
more than any other crop they are now
raising per acre. One way is, that a
farmer furnishes his own seed, labor,
etc., and sells the flax straw together
with seed to the mill at $40 per ton; one
acre will yield on an average two tons,
and sometimes more, making $40 per
acre and saving the cost of threshing
Another way is, that the mill rents from
the farmer plowed land at about $7 per
acre; the mill furnishes the seed and also
pays the farmer 50 per acre for pulling
the flax straw l learn that there are
many boys around here from IA to 16
years old, who easily pull an acre of flax
in four days, thus earning 81 rs per day
The more see of this flax business
the better can see the advantage of in
Producing it in Albert Lea, and | can
discover nothing that will prevent q
successful development of the flax fiber
industry IN Freeborn county. The
amount of wages that would have to be
paid to employees would support good
many families, and the farmers by rails
ing lax can make $50 per acre What
other grain or produce will give them
equal return?
The demand for fiber is practically un-
limited. While at Mr.. Livingston's
house got acquainted with gentle
man from New York, who represen cd a
large spinnery, which requires carload
of flax fiber per day, which is more than
Canada is now able to produce, and
there are number of other spinneries
which have to import fax from Russia,
France and other countries. which will be
glad TO get supplied at home.
Surely this Is suggestive of no little
profit for Minnesota farmers. Under
either of the methods suggested fax
growing, with contiguous mills, will
pay better than wheat. The main point.
therefore, is to get the spinneries located
right in the flax growing area, and that
area is right here in Minnesota and the
Dakotas.