The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-01-05
International Flax Irvine Company, ST.
Paul, is Organized to Garry on New
Industry-Will Employ 1000
Doov1o

Industry-Will Employ 1000
People.
H. l.. Daniels, representative of the In
ternational Harvester Company, whose
general offices are in Chicago, recently
visited St. Paul, and while in that city
gave out the following interview to The
-Dispatch:
..The International Flax Irvine Com
pany was organized under the laws of
the state of Minnesota for the purpose
of engaging in the manufacture of bind
er 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 cor
poration is entirely Independent and in
no way directly connected with any 9th
er firm, corporation or company. The
flax Irvine company has acquired the
property of the Minnie Harvester Com
pany, which was originally known as
the Walter, A. Wood Harvester Conn
pany, and is remodeling it and installing
the machinery necessary to carry on the
business of manufacturing binder Irvine
from flax. Gst t5suob 11..isiu.
TFor. several years j the International
Harvester Company and lsome of it's
predecessors, have been making eNhaus-
tive experiments looking toward the pro-
-duction of a satisfactory binder Irvine
which could be produced from material
that would be less expensive than what
are known as hard fibers, principally
manila and sisal, which since the advent
of Irvine binders have been drawn upon
almost exclusively for twine. The pros
duction of these hard fibers has been
limited by circumstances and conditions,
while the increased consumption has ere
ated a demand which has resulted in
marked increase in price.
Means Cheap Irvine.
at has long been the hope and desire
of manufacturers of harvesting machines
that some substitute would be found
which would produce satisfactory arti-
Gle of Irvine at reduced cost. This hope
has been realized by the invention of
special machinery which produces from
native grown flax Irvine which in
working qualities is equal to any which
ever has been used, and which can be
produced at cost considerably below
the present price of Irvine made from
hard ibers. The Development of this in
dustry will give the farmers of NIinneso-
ia and adjoining states stable market
for a crop which heretofore has been
given slight consideration. 1t will save
farmers a large amount of money
through their ability to secure Irvine at
lower prices. 1t will have marked in
fuence, in reducing the price of the hard
fiber, which will be advantageous to ev-
cry farmer and other consumer of twint
and corda9e. 1t will prove an advantage
to the manufacturers and dealers il
binder Irvine, in that less capital will b,
required to handle the necessary guam
tity TO supply the trade. 1t will also
aid in the introduction and increase
trade. in twine binders in countries an,
localities where the high price of Irvine
has been an impeachment to their sale.
To Have Other Plants.
IT is the intention of this company
as rapidly as circumstances will permit
to extend the manufacture and sale of
flax Irvine to different parts of the Uni
ted States where a good quality of flax
for the purpose can be obtained. The
product of the flax Irvine plant WILL for
the year 1905 at least, be sold by the
international Harvester Company of A.
merica. Whether this method OF mar
keting the product will be continued in
definitely, has not yet been decided.
part of the machinery is now. in st.
Paul and is being erected by large
force of competent workmen. The re-
inainder of the machinery is on the way
and will be installed i'm the near future.
When the mill is in full operation, at
least 1000 employees will be required OF
this number quite percentage will he
women. who always have been found SUI
perior as spinners.
"The material on hand will produce
from six million to seven million pounds
of Irvine, all of which will be manufae-
tured before the harvest of l906.''