SECRETARY'S REPORT. H 



tober 2d, 1862, and we take the liberty to make the following 

 extract from his letter : " We have memorialized Congress upon 

 the subject, and asked Congress to aid us by making an appropria- 

 tion to procure certain machinery to produce the desired result. 

 The Committee of Congress on Agriculture has the subject under 

 consideration, and may report at the next session. 



A meetiqg was held to-day, to discuss the subject of Flax pro- 

 duction and its manufacture. About thirty gentlemen were pres- 

 ent, with our Senator and Representative. The discussion was 

 animated and full, but no definite conclusions arrived at. 



I will answer your several questions : 



1st. ' The farmers of Maine would like to be informed in regard 

 to the probable price that flax straw may bear in market at tide- 

 water.' 



This question could not be answered satisfactorily. 



2d. ' Is such product lessened in market value by being ripen- 

 ed so as to mature the seed ? ' 



I think the crop would be required to be cut before the seed was 

 in full glaze. The largest oil manufacturers say the seed will pro- 

 duce more oil in this state than with seed fully ripened. 



3d. ' Must the crop be pulled and bundled, or may it be cut 

 with a scythe or cradle ? ' 



The crop may be cut or pulled, but must be kept in straight 

 layers. 



4th. ' May it be threshed and then baled, as hay for transporta- 

 tion ? ' 



It could not be used if the stubble is required to be cut in cer- 

 tain lengths before being separated from the woody portion of the 

 stubble, and the fibre exploded by chemicals or otherwise.* 



I don't think your farmers would be warranted in making a 

 change until further progress is made. The West has millions of 

 tons of stubble lying to waste, but of no use for this experimenting. 

 The crop must be grown and handled with care to be used success- 

 fully for the new process of manufacture. I think it will come to 

 be successfully used, but time must develop the subject." 



From the tone of the above communication, gentlemen of this 

 Board will conclude that we are not quite so near the beginning of 



* We have been accustomed to use the word dubbU as meaning that portion of the 

 straw or stalk below where it is severed by the harvesting implement. Our friend 

 applies it otherwise. , 



