The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-04-01
SPEECH ON FLAX
STRAW EXPERIMENT BILL

I every year for the making of paper, 1t
would seem to be a wise policy for
us to determine and to find some
method or way by which the great
amount of fibrous plants are not now
being utilized might be made some
use of.
/ believe in conservation, n be-
lieve that were the flax straw of the
county utilized for the purpose OF
making paper that 1t would be the
means of saving an immense amount
of timber, as stated heretofore,
would use up a raw flaSstraw prod
uct which today is practically not
utilized at all and is simply wasted.
In North Dakota we grow flax for
for the seed alone, and the straw and
fiber, with the exception of a very
little of it, is burned in, the fields,
and so is an absolute waste.
The North Dakota Agricultural col
lege is making some experiments in
the use of flax straw. 1t has also
perhaps taken a more advanced po-
sition than any other agricultural col
lege in the country upon the methods
for the production of flax and also
for the prevention of the diseases to
which flax is peculiarly heir to. Prof.
II. l.. Bolley Of the North Dakota
Agricultural college, is a flax expert,
and is not only the greatest in his
line as a flax in this country, but in
fact in the whole world, and a few
years since was sent abroad by the
United States government for the
purpose Of investigating the use Of
flax, the production of flax, and it's
diseases in Russia and other Euro
pean countries.
AT the present time the department
OF agriculture here in Washington is
making experiments in the testing and
breeding of fibrous plants for paper
making, but almost entirely, as stated
in DIR. Galloway's letter, in the way
of making paper from cornstalks.
If this amendment which I have
offered prevails, then they will take
up in cooperation with the North
Dakota Agricultural college the propo-
sition of making experiments with flax
straw for making in my state and in
other states, with a view of stopping
this great waste of a splendid raw
material which is not utilized now as
it should and ought to be.
We are trying IN every way TO
make the farmers, who are the foun-
dation of this government, more pros
porous, and if some method can be
found to utilize the vast amount OF
material which they now produce and
which is wasted, as in the instance OF
a straw, then we are doing them
n the country a great service. IL
the farmer of North Dakota and else
where shall not only have a market for
the haxseed which he produces, but
shall also have q market for the flax
straw itself, then il would mean that
he would receive just that much more
compensation for the labor, toll and
expense which he gives for the pro-
duction of his flax crop, and thereby
make him just that much more pros.
porous.
Mr.. Chairman, this mendmen is a
Just one n one that Is in the inter-
ests OF the farmers and all the peo-
pie OF this country, and I hope that
it may prevail.
Mr.. Haugen. Just a brief statement.
Mr.. Chairman. While the bill under
consideration does not carry the item
suggested by the gentleman from
North Dakota (Mr. Hanna), the mat
ter was discussed in the COMMITTEES
and ! believe it was agreed that 4
point Of order would not be raised
against this amendment il offered On
the floor. But my impression Is that
the amount was fixed at $1,000. and r
believe the gentleman now proposes to
amend it by providing for $4,000
Mr.. Garner. Make it $12, 900.
Mr.. Hanna. 1t would increasa q
$7.42o. I viii, however, change II ~
all $12,5s0.
The chairman. The clerk viii re-
port the modification.
The clerk read as follows.
Strike out the word .sfifteena a,H
insert in lieu thereof the words .twel,,1
thousand five hundred and eighty
The chairman. The question Il =,
agreeing to the amendment offered bv
the gentleman from North Dakota
(Mr. HANNAH.
Inc question was taken. and the
amendment was agreed to.