The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-11-17
THREE NEW FLAX
MILLS FOR STATE
INDUSTRY IN WHICH STATE
LEADS COUNTRY WILL BE
GREATLY EXPANDED.
Montana Advances From Fourth to
Third Place in Production Of Flax
for Seed; Yield, With Prices Soar
ing, Seventh That of United States,
HIGH LIGHTS OF STATES
PRODUCTION OF FLAX.


Montana is the only state in
which flax is grown for fiber.
Montana has, at Conrad, the
only flax fiber mill in the United
States.
Montana, formerly fourth, for
two years has been third among
all the states in the production
of flax for seed.
In 1900 not an acre of flax was
grown in Montana either for seed
or fiber.
This year Montana will pro-
duce one-seventh of the entire
flax output Of the United States.
Next year three more flax fiber
mills are to be erected in Mon
tana.
Montana has, at Baker, one of
the few upholstery tow mills in
the country.
Montana flax fiber has been
found by tests in England in the
presence of an American consul
to be stronger than fiber from
Russia, the leading flax country,
and is declared to be stronger
than fiber grown in any other
country Of Europe.
Montana flax fiber has been
imported into Ireland and utilized
in the manufacture of Irish lin
ems.
American Irvine and linen fac
tories now have given assurance
that they can utilize at the pre-
vailing high price all the flax fl
Der turned out by Montana mills,
thus making expectation, with it's
war risks, unnecessary.
The plant of the Northern Flax Fl
Der company at Conrad has been S,
successful this year in disposing of it,
product at an advantageous price tina
he company has decided to erect three
more factories in northern Montan;
he coming year. This is the only fla,
fiber mill in the United States ant
the 1000 acres planted to flax thi
year under contract with the Conrad
factory was the only acreage in tn
country, with the possible exception
Of few experimental tracts, devoted
to the production of flax for fiber
Montana has also, at Baker, in Fallol
county, one of the few upholstery toy
mills in the United States.
At present the Lewistown Chambe
of Commerce is investigating the up
holstery tow situation with the pros
pect that it will give its backing t.
the erection Of tow mill in that city
Havre is endeavoring to secure th
in it's vicinity of a mill t.
convert flax fiber into Irvine and 9th
II finished products.
Montana, meanwhile, has advanced
rom fourth to third place in the pro
luction of flaxseed and the state'
held this year is one seventh of thu
,ntire production of the United
States The price of flaxseed - a
$40 a bushels higher now thar
or many years. This consideration
ogether with the new possibilities fol
he utilization of flax waste in thu
paper and fibcr-board industry, il
likely to make the production of fla2
'or seed, which hitherto, as a pioneer
,rop, has been of a migratory nature
| permanent industry in Montana
This year many flax crops have pait
or the newly purchased land.
Demonstrations at English factories
lave proved that Montana flax fibel
s the strongest in the world, AMI
american Irvine and linen factorie
lave now given assurance that the.
will be able to utilize all the produc
# Montana fiber flax farms and fl
)er mills. The war has caused
marked falling off in the flax fibe
of every country of Eu
'ope, giving Montana a foothold fo
he establishment of an industr,
which alone could support many time
Ter present population.
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