312 CHAPTER XIX 



Peodcction. — Most of the flax grown for fibre is grown 

 in Russia, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Ireland, and other 

 European countries, Russia's share being nearly four-fifths of 

 the world's fibre output. 



1914 Linseed Crop. 



Argentine 39,171,000 bushels 



British India 15,440,000 



United States 13,749,000 



In South Africa production is limited entirely to linseed, 

 and as yet no census returns are available, the present output 

 being relatively small. As stable feeding, dairying, etc., 

 become more common, the grow^th of the crop, for linseed is 

 likely to become more important. 



Uses. — The fibre is used in cloth for wearing apparel 

 (linen), for matting, " crash " and towelling, w^hile the un- 

 retted flax is employed in the manufacture of binding twine. 



The linseed is very rich both in protein and oil. Oil- 

 cake, a by-product rich in protein, is left after the oil has 

 been extracted. It is a valuable concentrate for stock feed- 

 ing. The oil is very valuable, being used for varnishes in 

 the manufacture of linoleum, in patent leather, and medi- 

 cinally. 



The straw has little or no feeding value, and at times is 

 dangerous on account of the nature of the fibre, and the 

 prussic acid sometimes found in the growing plant. 



Composition. 



Flaxseed and Linseed Cake compared with Wheat 

 ( Montgomery) . 



Climate. — Generally speaking, our climatic conditions 

 are not suited for the production of good fibre, because of 

 our uncertain rainfall. Changing conditions of moisture affect 

 the uniformity of length, fineness, and spinning quality of the 



