The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-05-17
EASTERN MONTANA FARMERS
ARE URGED TO PLANT FLAX

"How About Flax This Year," is
a question recently discussed by r.
B. Bowden, publicity director of the
Montana extension service, in a talk
over the radio for The Montana
Farmer, leading farm publication,
which is published at Great Falls.
Mr.. Bowden said:
I'm the spring the farmers fancy
lightly turns to thoughts of-well,
not always to flax. But at that, flax
insistently claims attention year after
year in Montana, and gets the atten-
ton it claims. Montana still holds
her rank among the four first states
in flax production in the United
States. Why production will be as
heavy this year in Montana (and in
dications are for an increased acre
age), is a story that will interest
the average farmer in more than one
half the counties of the state.
Flax Prices High
Without doubt many will turn to
flax because of the peculiar condi-
ton that now exists with wheat.
Where there is an over-production
nationally in wheat, there is a cor
responding under-production in flax.
Naturally the flax price is lei the
level of other commodity prices,
while the wheat price is off wool
gathering in far and distant places.
with little relationship to it's proper
price place.
"The United States looks with en-
couragement upon the planting of
flax. Because less than ~one-fourth
of the flax we use is produced at
home and because the flax that we
must import comes largely from far
away Argentine, it stands to reason
that the American, flax producer is at
an advantage. But congress has seen
fit to bless him wen more, and has
put a good tariff on imported flax.
$50 the Montana flax farmer is
assured of three things: First, that
here never can be an over-prOduc-
ion of flax at home; second, that he
las the market advantage over the
South American producer; third, he
S protected by a tariff on flax. (The
iuty that went into effect last fall
vas 20 to 80 cents or flax; 10 cents
! gallon on linseed oil). I
East Montana Best for Flax
'tFlax is a crop that must be plant
ID right, on the right kind of seed
BED, must be handled correctly and
harvested correctly. The farmer who
loes not like to farm well will not
ay up treasures with flax. But the
permanent dirt farmer who is will
ng to cooperate with nature and
Who does not waste time ordering
Ter about, will find attractive yields
ind profits in this great cash crop
If the northwest plains.
"The Montana experiment station
ZACH spring urges farmers to take adj
7antage of the opportunity that this
offers. There are bulletins and
circulars published by the experiment
at Bozeman on flax seed bed
preparation, planting and harvesting.
These bulletins are free for the ask
ng. County agents in Montana can
i've information to farmers who are
Interested.
cit must not be supposed that all
# Montana is flax country. The
rather naturally seems to 7
Re carried on mostly in that portion
# the state east of a line drawn
rom Havre to Hardin, with a few
lax areas west of the line, because
ere is the new land of Montana
griculture, and new breaking is and
lways will be ideal flax land.
"Not that new breaking is the only
and that will grow flax. Old land
proper condition, with the seed
properly prepared, will return
lax yields of fine profit. Old land
, apt to be more weedy and weeds
re the best means of insuring a flax
rop failure.
''There is flax seed available In
for spring planting. The
ype of seed for the farmers locality
!, important, and it will be wise tol~