The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-18
Will Benefit the Farmers from
the Start.
RYE STRAW MARKET.
Would Bring from 81 to IS at
the Factory.
NeOshO and Allen Counties Have
5000 Acres In.

Chanute, KS, July 1s.-Upon the
farming element in the vicinity of Cha
mute depends the locating of an indus
try which will benefit them alone to
the amount of probably $4,000 the first
year and double and treble that
amount later.
b. S. Summers and w. ]. Dibbens,
representing l. L. Summers & Co., OF
Chicago, arrived yesterday in charge Of
c. w. Cook, assistant general freight
agent of the Santa Fe, and will en-
deavor to interest the farmers in pro-
1ect whereby they may dispose of their
fax straw at a price ranging from "a
TO So a ton. Only the fibre of the straw
which is of no nutritive value, will be
used, and the straw may be regained
by those who wish to use it as fodder.
The fibre will be consumed in manufac-
turing binder Irvine and rope. Hereto
fore sisel. a foreign product obtained
principally from Yucatan, has been
used exclusively in Irvine manufacture.
The exorbitant prices demanded by
the Spanish growers for the material
has caused extensive manufactures to
donate much time in experimenting for
a less expensive material After an ex-
penditure Of $150,000 a satisfactory
manner of treating fax straw has been
discovered which will materially re-
duce the cost of twines and cordage.
The Yucatan producer has been re-
ceiving 9 cents for the raw product
which costs them only cents. and it
is a remarkable fact that there is not
a sisal grower in Yucatan who is not
a millionaire.
The Chicago gentlemen propose, if
the cooperation of the agricultural
interests can be obtained, to install
roughing machines in Chanute and
r1rIrrh1cn a flaw e fhaV r.
secure. The farmers dispose of the
raw material at a good price and buy
1t back in binding Irvine at a greatly
reduced figure. In order to receive a
high rate for their straw these con-
ditions must be carefully observed in
its preservation; The stalks must be
long and straight and the punches
must contain no weeds. Straw Is to
20 inches in length commands a price
of So a ton. double the price of the fin
est hay. In order to obtain stalks of
this length it will be necessary for the
farmer to cut his grain with a mower
instead of a binder. Then in thresh-
ing instead Of running the entire straw
through the machine only the heads
should go through. This can be ar
ranged by holding each bunch of straw
in the machine for a. moment while the
heads are threshed off and then drop
ping the straw to the ground. By this
manner of threshing FAX the stalks are
kept straight. In the north many
increasing It's length and adding from
81 to 81 q ton to it's. value for manu-
featuring purposes.
Neosho and Allen counties have an
nual acreage OF fax of about $4,000
acres. The new industry would con-
sumo 5000 tons the first year and 100,
600 per annum afterwards. This
means an increase of from $4,000 tc
5000 a year to the farmers income.
If an agreement can be entered into
between the Chicago parties and the
farming community, a iten-horse power
roughing machine, capable of cardina
10 tons of straw daily would be in
stalled here as soon as possible A
second would be sent by December 1st
and If conditions warranted q
third would be sent next summer
These immense machines remove the
fiber which forms the base of cordage
Sixty Der cent Of the waste of the
straw is removed by the process. which
materially reduces transportation
charges, besides leaving the fodder fol
the farmer. Branch buying stations
VIII be established at Humboldt and
walnut but Chanute will be the con,
centrative point.
Mr.. Summers returned to Chicago
today but Mr.. Dibbens will remain sew.
eral days longer and he will be pleased
10 explain the elements of the industry
to all Interested