The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-08
Flax in the Northwest

1t would seem that there Is a great future for flax
in the Northwest, in view of the difficulties of growing
wheat for a surplus, while flax is in annual deficit. The
United States produces scarcely half the flax it needs 70
turn into linseed oil alone. The Northwest is the sole
region that includes flax in its Investigation. This
makes flax a subject Of vital concern to agriculture in
North Dakota.
The recent meeting at Minneapolis by which a num-
Der of interests were brought to join in a movement 70
increase the production Of this crop was, therefore, a
notable step not only as regards flax but in the entire
realm Of Northwest agriculture. It seems a rational
movement. this attempt to multiply the production of a
crop now q deficit but commanding a high price. IT
would seem rs q part Of the solution of the problem of
surplus wheat production. 1
The trouble is that flax growing has had to compete
with cheaper production in other flax countries, as Ar
gentina in South America. That would imply tariff pro-
lection to the industry. by which the difference in costs
Of production could be equalized and the Northwest
farmer given an even opportunity against the cheaper
Latin American producer.
Then there is another problem for the Northwestern
grower. The technique Of growing flax has not been alb
sorbed as it should be. The meeting at Minneapolis con-
coded that flax production was on a haphazard and
sipshod basis and that. commercially, it was necessary
to put a new foundation under this branch of Northwest
agriculture.
This the conference tried to supply by a union of va
rious elements back Of flax culture. Notably among
these were the Northwestern agricultural colleges, which
entered whole -heartedly into the venture of speeding up
flax as a Northwest crop. They will produce pamphlets
on flax culture In an effort to educate farmers to
grow II.
The Minneapolis Tribune, which has specialized on
the study of flax culture, asserts that 1.-THE proper pro-
tective tariff rate for faxseed should be 81 cents, with
a compensatory duty of Sos cents on linseed oil. The
present rate is Sc cents; the senate has tentatively moved
1t up to IS cents. Our agricultural economists, however
believe. 1t continues, that our Northwest farmers ability
to compete with the Argentine flax grower is not to be
definitely assured unless and until the rate is raised to
q cents. Hence the fight for a proper tariff rate OH
flaxseed must continue"
The Minneapolis paper also argues that "since We DO
not produce enough flax to meet even half our domestic
requirements. 1t is apparent that the acreage of flax
could be safely increased. and in generous proportions
But particular attention is to be given the far more
important matter of increasing the yield per individual
acre. Profit to the farmer, after all, is the key to tho
.holc situation it says.
The proposed movement Is undoubtedly q healthy one
says the Tribune. It continues by saying ut thoroughly
understands, but it does see the great value to the North
west in the diversion Of these millions of American dol
lars from the Argentine to our section of the country. 1t
also sees the value to the Northwest in throwing more
emphasis upon the production of under produced COM
modities and less emphasis upon the production OF over
produced commodities. In that way we even our whole
scale Of production and tend to ease the surplus problem.
The new movement Is backed by men of force and intel
ligencc, who are certain to tread warily and avoid the
and valuable a campaign is under way. and wish it every
success In the world"
A French mslc modis.e asserts the well-drcsscd man
needs 80 suits Of clothes. An American with that many
would open q store.