USE OF PLANTS TO MAN 



365 



have been put through a long bleaching process and do 

 not wear as long as the cream-colored, unbleached linens. 

 Flax is also grown for its seed from which an oil is 

 extracted and used for making paint. This oil is known 

 on the market as "linseed oil.'' The inner bark of the 

 flax cannot be used to make linen after the seed is ripe. 



HARVESTING FLAX IN SOUTH DAKOTA 



Hemp and sea grass are used for making rough garments 

 and also for making summer hats and rugs. The straw 

 of wheat is used extensively for making hats. The 

 cellulose or wood fiber of trees is used for making arti- 

 ficial silk. The cellulose is dissolved and then forced 

 through very fine holes; this process makes a fine, lustrous 

 fiber that can be made into clothing. 



Jute is an East Indian plant used for making mats, 

 rugs, etc. 



249. Plants for Ropes and Twines. The common cord 

 used in stores is made of cotton fiber. The heavy brown 



