St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-19
Remarkable Results Produced
in Belgium by Intelligent
AgrieulturistS.
ireland Produces Only One
Quarter the Fiber Used
in Belfast Alone.
A Report That Confirms the
Statements Of ex-Repre-
sentative Bell.
Special to the Globe.

ingS of the legislature Of 1891 will re-
member the efforts of Hon. Charles n.
Bell, of Ramsey county, 10 stimulate an
interest throughout the state in fax
culture for the fiber and not solely for
the seed as at present. He collected
large amount Of information III regard
to the cultivation of flax in Ireland.
Scotland and other European countries.
and demonstrated by the actual results
of intelligent production at Newport. III
Washington county. by a man who had
learned the details in Belgium what can
be done in Minnesota. Whether much
has been accomplished in Minnesota as
a result of
MIR. Bells Work
or not it is certain that he was right in
urging the matter upon the attention Of
the farmers of the Northwest, and that
if his suggestions are acted upon and
carried out a new and profitable field
will be opened to the tillerS OF the soil
i'll that section of. the country. Or
course, all are aware that the farmers
in a large portion of Minnesota have not
been able during the past two years.
even were they so inclined, to engage in
any elaborate or costly experiments, but
still those who grow flax can afford for
once to throw off their proverbial con-
ServatiSn and gave at least portion OF
the fiber that they have been accustomed
to throw away.
European Flax Culture.
In this connection a report on the III
tivation of flax i'll European countries
which has just been made by james d.
Reid, United States commercial agent
at Dumfermlne, to the state depart
ment, although Lot as full an complete
as could be wished. will prove interest
ing to the farmers as well as all other
citizens OF Minnesota and the North
west in general. Contrary TO what has
been supposed Mr.. Reid finds that Great
Britain is largely dependent on other
countries for fax fiber.
Even Ireland" says Mr.. Reid, does
not raise fax enough; although $4,000
acres Of productive land were given tn
one-fourth of the demand made by
the single city of Belfast"
After explaining that the low prices
now prevailing for general farm prod
uce has given an impetus 10 max 7eul.
ture Ill Scotland, Mr.. Reid gives the
following interesting and valuable lnfor-
nation regarding the subject:
Where Flax is Grown.
There are many varieties or the flax
plant. and one or more of these varle-
ties are cultivated by almost all coun-
tries in the world The common species
is Indigenous to Europe, Asia and
Egypt. Scotland derives her chief
supply from Russia, where it is. grown
more extensively than i'll any country
in the world. In Russia, however, the
culture of the plant is conducted with
less care, and the preparation OF the
fiber receives less attention than
in any other flax producing country.
1t is soWed thiniy, to give the
plant greater strength and speed. This
results in Il coarse fiber, and also Ill an
inferior yield. Nor does the crop i'll
Russia receive. i'll the early stages Of its
development, that care which Is essen
tial to valuable product.
Germany, Austria and France come
next to Russia as flaX-producing couu-
tries. In each OF these an average area
of 200. 900 acres is devoted to this crop.
In Holland flax is raised
Chiefly for the Seed.
Its cultivation is regulated with this
in view. The quality of the ibtr is thus
injured; but the seed commands a high
price. and for agricultural purposes has
secured worldwide reputation. 1t is
the seed chiefly used i'll Great Britain
wherever flax cultivation Is attempted.
In Belgium flax is found III the high
est state of cultivation. Nothing is
there neglected which can Increase the
quantity as well as the quality of the
crop. Rotation, superior ti.lage, and
liberal manuiing are all followed with
that persistent care which has earned
for the Belgians the reputation OF being
the most successful of all agrlculturists
Throughout the country the fields re-
semble highly cultivated gardens. Here
is raised the very
Finest Qualify OF Flax
such as is used in the manufacture of
Brussels lace. This care has ample re-
ward, as the product brings i'll the mar
ket from $500 TO $1,000 per ton. indeed,
the sale OF single crop of flax VIII
sometimes secure higher price than
would the land OH which it had grown.
So fine has been the product that Bel
gian pound of the raw material has
been spun into thread 1000 miles
| long.
| land aud Ireland are supposed to be
equally favorable for the raising of flax.
| vet it has reached its highest develop
| ment i'll Ireland. Irish flax, because of
| superior culture. commands twice the
! price of the Russian article. A guam
| tity of dressed flax grown last year i'll
| the consular district Of Fife brought
| $3.50 per ton. No other product OF the
! farmer in these days Can show better
return.
A New Mode of Production
To stimulate the cultivation of fax in
| Scotland all enterprising conpany-has
| offered to purchase the product de
ivered at the nearest railway station in
the state as taken from the field with
| out the separation from the fiber. This
| Civ eS the farmer a quicker sale and
| avoids the difficulty and the labor of
retting, which requires intelligent and
! patient care. Small patches aggregat-
| ing about 100 acres are thus used in
| Fifeshire for this mode of production.
Cost of Production.
The average cost of producing an acre
/ of flax in Ireland is between $40 and
S45, which includes the cost OF rettlDg
and scutching. OF course. in Ireland
|
and his family working the land. The
return of an English farmer gives 1.-The
total expenses connected with growing
an acre of fax as $40. which realized, as
taken off the field, $50. Scotland show:
| a similar result.
An experiment was made in the NORTH
of Scotland on two acres of very stiff
clay land with an easterly exposure
This test of the profitable nature of The
crop was severe one, the season being
very unfavorable and the land of thu
poorest. The total cost of production
including rent and twenty loads 0
manure, was S65; and the crop was solt
green at the nearest railway station TO
500, leaving profit of $3.50 per acre
In 1856. 1887 aud 1888 experiment
were made by Perth bleachers with al
average return of $50 per acre. 0
course, this was for the unprepare
crop as hauled from the field. Tn
SAME crop properly scutched would .
course, command, as in Ireland, gfos
income from $3.50 to 5000 per acre.
The Climate Needed.
OF course, an American reading thi
will at once ask, us the United States