Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-27
EXPERT REVIEWS
FLAX SITUATION
History and Prospects Of
New Industry Fully
Discussed

Nineteeu-fifteen apparently marks
the beginning of a new interest in
western Oregon in the flax crop. This
crop, so important in other states,
seems quite well suited to our con.
ditions The Oregon Agricultural
college began an extensive variety
trial OF flax for both seed and fiber,
in order to discover the best varieties
for Oregon and to begin improvement
work with these varieties. Already
very encouraging results have been
secured with both seed and fiber flax
and numerous, very promising selcc-
tons have been made In this same
year, the state of Oregon set aside
fifty thousand dollars to be used in
part in fiber flax production and in
the manufacture of fiber from the
flax straw. Arrangements were made
that the expensive nand operations in
the field and in the manufacturing of
the fiber should be cared for by the in.
mates Of the penitentiary. Over two
hundred acres were produced last year
with varying results as to yield and
quality of straw for fiber. Consider.
ing all things. however, such as soil.
time of planting, rate of seeding, etc,
the crop, in general was u success.
The next step TO be worked out is
the successful manufacturer of the
fiber, and while this is still in the
experimental state, the outlook is
promising where cheap labor can
procured
The flax committee of the Port.
land Chamber of Commerce has be.
come quite active and has taken steps
to establish a flax industry at some
point in the valley. With the expert
mental evidence gathered by the Ore.
gon Agricultural college and expert.
ment station on production and va.
hteties, together with the results of
the large experiment on the fiber in
dustry being conducted by the state
and the establishment Of a fiber flax
industry at some other point in the
Willamette valley through the efforts
of the Portland Chamber of Com.
merce, we should soon have all points
with reference TO the flax industry
cleared up and know definitely which
| phases Of it are possible and which
should be dropped. Evidence gathered
so far indicates that the crop may BE-
successfully produced. There is q
| well established market for flax srca
in the state at the present time The
son with dry period for harvest is
ideal for the production of either fiber
or seed flax. Flax is not deep rooted
and therefore requires soil rich ir
available fertility and in good physi.
cal condition. 1t thrives best on soils
that are loamy to slightly heavy in
texture. 1t is better suited to the
heavier than the lighter types of soils.
1t always thrives best where there l.
a good supply of organic matter. Bad
/ ly rundown soils incapable of pro-
ducing grain erous are not suited to
the culture of flax either for fiber or
/ for seed. Such soils produce short
straw and a small harvest of seed
/ Soils capable of producing good
crop will under most conditions, pro-
Linseed Oil Factory in Portland. | am
told, is able to run from one to two
days 4 year on Oregon flax and the
rest of the time is forced to purchase
flax seed from outside points.
With our ability to produce flc-
seed proved and q wen established
market for the seed, it would seem
that few can profitably engage in the
culture of that crop. From the fiber
point of view, we are able to produce
good quantity of fiber per acre
Fiber experts tell us that the quality
is of the highest Therefore, where
proper conditions are followed out
we need not fear about the production
end of the fiber industry.
The one part which has not beer
fully worked out is the feasibility OF
manufacturing the fiber from the
straw under western Oregon con
ditions.
Our long, cool, mu1st growing sea
ducc pretty good flax Land that ha.
been in clover and subsequently in ;
cultivated crop is usually in yer ygoot
condition for the culture of flax.
fine, firm seed bed is necessary L
prevent trouble with disease and tl
guard against seeding too deep. /
the seed bed Is too loose and mellow i
should be rolled previous to seeding.
The best results at the Agricultural
college for seed have been secured
with North Dakota Resistant No.l55
and for fiber purposes, with Riga fla,
secured from the Oregon penitentiar,
and similar variety from larg
manufacturer of Michigan. Will
these may not prove best in the lonl
run. the single years trial has indi
Gated the marked superiority of thes
varieties
Seed preparation is one Of the mos
vital points in successful flax pro
duction. All small and light seed
, should be eliminated by putting see,
through tanning mill. Only tn
] plump, heavy seeds are capable o
producing good big vigorous plant,
All seeds should be given the formoli
treatment before sowing, One poun
of formaln should be dissolved i
forty.fiye gallons Of water Not NOR
than five bushels of flax seed is treat
ed at one time. The solution
: sprayed on with hign pressure wit
q compressed air sprnyer which d,
! livcrs a fine spray. One person spray
, the solution while the other nkes III
! seed vigorously with a garden rak,
; This gets the seed thoroughly we
, without making it soak up too niue
, Of the liquid. Spraying the solutio
! is more effective in that il kills NOR
! of the disease aud prevents caking q
h, +Lo saod A. tho aon1 drioe - gtoul