The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-01-04
INTERNATIONAL FLAX TWlNE co.
to Garry on New Industry
Will Employ 1000 People

International Harvester Company,
whose general offices are in Chicago,
recently visited St. Paul, and while in
that city gave out the following inter-
view to the Pioneer Press:
"The International Flax Irvine
Company was organized under the
laws of the state of Minnesota for the
purpose Of engaging in the manufact-
ure of binder 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 independent and in no way
directly connected with any other firm,
corporation or company. The flax
twine company has acquired the pro-
perty Of the Minnie Harvester Com
pany, which was originally known as
the Walter A. Wood Harvester Com
pany, and is remodeling it and in
Sailing the machinery necessary to
carry on the business of manufacture
ing binder Irvine from flax.
"For several years the International
Harvester Company. and some of its
predecessors have been making ex-
haustive and expensive experiments
looking toward the production of a
satisfactory binder Irvine which could
be produced from material that would
be less expensive than what are known
as hard ibers, principally manila and
sisal, which since the advent of Irvine
binders have been drawn upon almost
exclusively for Irvine. The production
of these hard fibers has been limited
by circumstances and conditions,
while the increased consumption has
a demand which has resulted
in a marked increase in price.
MEANS CHEAP TWINE
at has long been the hope and de-
sire of manufacturers OF harvesting
machines that some substitute would
be found which would produce a sat-
isfactory article of Irvine at reduced
cost. The hope has been realized by
the invention OF special machinery
which produces from native grown fax
a Irvine which in working qualities is
equal to any which ever has been used
and which can be produced at a cost
considerably below the present price
of Irvine made from hard fibers. The
Development of this industry will
give the farmers of Minnesota and adj
joining states a 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 twine
at lower prices. 1t will have a marked
influence in reducing the price OF the
hard fiber, which will be advantageous
to every farmer and other consumer OF
Irvine and cordage. 1t will prove an
advantage to the manufacturers and
dealers in binder Irvine, as less capital
will be required to handlethe necessary
quantity to supply the trade. 1t will
also aid in the introduction and in
crease trade in twine binders in coun-
tries and localities where the high
price OF twine has been an ~impedient
to their sale.
TO HAVE OTHER PLANTS
at is the intention of this company
as rapidly as circumstances will per-
nit, to extend the manufacture and
sale Of flax twine to different parts
of the United States where a good
quality of flax for the purpose a be
obtained. The product OF the flax
Irvine plant will, for the year 1906 at
least, be sold by the International
Harvester Company of America.
Whether this method OF marketing the
product will be continued indefinitely,
has not been decided.
'sPart OF the machinery is now in