Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-05-24
UNITED@saTAsTS EPA AENT OF AGRICULTURE

M@gMHWashinFton ID C.. Maye.-The flax experts Of the Department of
AL So maximum this year, not only the dx seed is needed for the oil
60d resultant by-products are wanted for feeding to live stock, but be-
ScAusesnew land on which flax is grown this year will be available for
Increased production can can be obtained in Minnesota, the Dakotas,
sand Montana without interfering in any way with this years production
Nof food crops, las it can and should be grown on breaking.
III 1910 the United States produced 15y56o,O00 bushels of flax.
About 2o,oOO,0OO bushels are needed annually for linseed oil, paint and
tween our animal production and annual needs is made up by importa-
tons from Canada and Argentina but this year the Argentina crop was
almost a total failure, the yield being little more than enough for resow-
ing. There is thus every reason to believe that farmrrs will receive
high prices for all the flax that can possibly be grown in the United
States in 1912.
As lnseed is largely used in war materials, as in water prooing
tent canvass and shckers, in treating gunstocks, in painting and water
pro06ng ships, and in many other ways, this increased production may
be regarded in part as a war measure. Further, the linseed cake will
higher percentage ofthe wheat kernel into flour than is now customary.
The breaking of new land is urged as a measure of preparedness
Since this work can be made highly profitable if the land is sown to flax
and weather conditions are fairly favorable, farmers. should readily see
the advantage of prompt action.
Wherever land is not being utilized and especially where new land
10 available, breaking should be begun at once and the land prepared
and seeded to flax. An increase of so or even 100 per cent over last
years acreage in your county would be entirely reasonable. If the seed
for this increased acreage is not available locally, we urge that you
make arrangements to purchase it in carload lots from Minneapolis or
other points where it may be had.
detailed 9. Clark, flax specialist, to take active charge of the cam
paign. Mr.. Clark's headquarters will be 32o Flour Exchange, Minnea-
need for and the desrablity of increased production to the attention of
farmers, bankers and business men, and by aiding your county agent
IN furthering the movement. If you have faxseed suitable for sowing,
you are urged to clean 1t as we'll as your facilities permit and to sell it
TOR local seeding. If it is not needed locally, it may be desirable to ship
y to other localities for sowing. fl is not sold for seed, there is little
doubt that the market for it will be as good or even better after the
seeding season than it is now. Information should be sent to Mr.. Clark
regarding quantity, quality and price of stocks Of flax suitable for SOW
ing, so that any surplus can be utilized elsewhere, also regarding vour
needs for seed if your local supply is insufficient for a largely increased
acreage. Flax could be grown on 5000 additional acres in each flax
producing county in North Dakota and Montana and on largely increas-
this year below a figure which will be highly profitable to the farmer.
Very truly yours,