Smyrna times., 1920-12-22
FARMERS SHOW INTEREST
IN FLAX GROWING INDUSTRY
MEETING AT CENTURY CLUB
PROMISING OF GOOD RESULTS
Major William Ray Baldwin Talks To
Over 100 Progressive Farmers and
Shows Soil and Climate to be Ideal


Shows Soil and Climate to be Ideal
The meeting held last Wednesday,
December 18th to discuss the growing |
of flax in the vicinity of Smyrna was |
attended by over one hundred interest
ed men and women. After a short |
talk by Major VIM. Ray Baldwin, oil
Elk Mills, President of the Chesapeake
Flax and Linen Corporation a general
and very intelligent discussion was
entered into which established not on
ly the feasibility of planting flax sue
cessfully in this locality but the meth
ods to be followed were clearly ex-
planned by Major Baldwin. Among
the important facts brought forth
were: That the soil and climate here
are almost ideal for this crop. A
sandy loan of medium texture well
drained bring the best type of soil,
but any ground that would grow
wheat, oats or corn successfully, could
be planted. Flax planted SO as to sue
ceed pasture was the best procedure
but it could be introduced into the r..
ration at any time successfully owing
to it being a quick crop averaging
about 80 days, or 10 days shorter
or longer depending on the season.
The crop to be planted from April 10
to May 1st, or as soon as the danger
: of frost has passed. The harvesting
: should take place as soon as the beans
e along the stalk began to fall anc
e should be completed in as short time
Il as possible after that time. The cloT
9 needs only three days seasoning il
u good weather, before delivering tt
IL the company's stock yard.
Possible Three Tons to the Acre
n The average yield of flax per acr,
% in the United States as stated in tn,
= U. S. Department of Agriculture re
a ports is two tons but the maximum
q rnree and one-half tons has been OBJ
! tained. This yield sold at $40 per to-
% delivered to the stock yard probabl
y at Smyrna Landing makes the neV
:. crop a most attractive and proftabl
,o one to the farmer who at this tim
IL cannot see much profit in the usua
!" field crops for reasons that are so ia
miliar as to need no explanation.
addition, if flax growing is taken u
:, here at this time will inevitably mea
"a new industry mat may mean muc
III to the country and to Smyrna in pal
n ticular. For Smyrna being anon
U the first to develop this industry an
-, being so conveniently situated as n
~ CARDS water transportation in COZ
i junction with ideal condition of SO
~ and climate should soon be an impor
~ ant if not the important flax and line
w. fibre centre of 3 world industry.
10 Rent an Office, Main Street, Smyrl
The Chesapeake Flax and Line
n.y. Corporation have established an off
=. in charge of Mr.. Theo. P. Haughe
ir- resident manager, in the building
,eL Main street formerly used as an off
nm by the late MIR. David J. Cummi1
an Mr.. Haughey will be glad to give a
IA information regarding flax and wish
.en to see anyone interested. A planti
of of not more than 1000 acres is desir
vas by the company this year but incre;
ion ing to 5000 or even 10000 in 10.
Il Every farmer and business man in I
r;z- community should get behind this n
tbe industry and help encourage the co
nm pany 20 make it possible.