The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-01-05
INTERNATIONAL FLAX
Irvine, COMPANY.
st. Paul, is Organized to Garry on
New Industry:.wiI| Employ
1000 People.


the International Harvester \Com-
pany, whose general officers are in
Chicago, recently vi-ited st. Paul.
and while IN that CITY gave out the
following interview to the Dispatch:
1.-The International Flax Irvine
Company was organized under tho
laws Ut the state of Minnesota for
the purl ose Of engaging in the
manufacture Of bin Ter Irvine from
home grown flax. Some of the
stockholders of the International
Harvester Company organized and
own the stock of the international
Flax Irvine Company, although the
latter corporation is entirely indie
pendent and in no way directly con-
nected with any other firm, corpor-
alton or company. The flax Irvine
company has acquired the property
of the Minnie Harvester Company,
which was originally known as the
Walter A. Wood Harvester Com
pany, and is remode!iug it and in
staJling the machinery necessary to
carry on the business of manufact
turing binder Irvine from flax.
"For several wears the lnterna-
tional Harvester Company and some
of it's predecessors have been max
ing exhaustive and expensive OK.
periments looking toward the pro-
of a satisfactory binder
Irvine which could be produced from
material that would be less expen-
sive than what are known as hard
fibers, principally manila and s;sal,
which since the advent of twine
binders have been drawn upon al
most exclusively for Irvine. The
of these hard fibers has
been limited by circumstances and
while the increased con-
has created a demand
which has resulted in a marked in
crease in price.
1T mas long been the hope and
desire of manufacturers of harvest
ing machines that some substitute
would be found which would pro-
duce satisfactory article of Irvine
at reduced cost. This hope has been
realized by the invention of special
machinery. which produces from
native grown flax twin which in
working qualities is equal to any
which ever az been used, and which
can be produced at a cost consider
ably below the present price of
wine made from hard fibers. The
development of its industry will
give the farmers of Minnesota and
state . stable market for
a crop which heretofore has been
given slight consideration. It will
save farmers large amount of
money through their ability to &C.
cure Irvine at lower prices. 1tlwil]
have marked influence in reduc-
ing the price Of the hard fiber,
which will be advantageous to every
farmer and other consumer of Irvine
and cordage. It will prove an ad-
vantage TO- the manufacturers and
dealers In binder twlne, in that less
capital will be required to handle
the necessary quantity to supply
the trade. 1t will also aid in the
introduction and increase trade in
Irvine binders in countries and To-
calities where the high price Of Irvine
has been an >impediment to their
sale.
ut is the intention Of this COM
pany, as rapidly as circumstances
will permit, to extend the manu-
facture and sale of fax twine to
different parts of the United States
where good quality of fax for the
purpose can be obtained. The pro-
duct of the fax Irvine plant will,
for the year 1906 at least, be sold by
the international Harvester CON-
pany of America, Whether this
method Of market in the product
will be continued Indefinitely,
has not yet been decided.
"Part of the machinery 10 now in
st. Paul and is being erected by a
large force of competent workmen.
The remainder of the machinery is
on the way and will be installed in
the near future. When the mill is
in full operation, at least 1000 en-
ploYea will be required. OF this
nhar nnite q nercentapo will h0