DESCRIPTION 



241 



Flaxseed is very rich in both protein and oil. After the oil is 

 extracted a by-product is left known as oil cake, very rich in protein. 

 Oil cake is highly prized as a rich stock feed. The following table 

 shows an average analysis of flaxseed and oil cake, compared with a 

 starchy grain like wheat : 



Flaxseed and Linseed Cake Compared with Wheat 



Flaxseed, Linseed cake, Wheat grain, 

 per cent per cent 



Water 9.1 10.1 



Ash 4.3 5.8 



Protein 22.6 33.2 



Crude fiber 7.1 9.5 



Nitrogen free extract . . . 23.2 38.4 



Fat (oil) 33.7 3.0 



per cent 

 10.5 



1.8 

 11.9 



1.8 

 71.9 



2.1 



Fia. 89. Distribution of flax production (seed) in United States. (From U. S. Census 



Report, 1910.) 



The oil is extracted by grinding fine, heating to 160 F. and 

 extracting by pressure (old process), or treating the meal in vats 

 with naphtha (new process). 



The fiber of flax comes from the stem. The stem is made up 

 of three distinct parts : The outer, called bark ; inside this a woody 

 layer made up of bast fiber, and the inner part or pith. 



The useful fiber comes from the bast layer. From twelve to 

 fifteen per cent of the flax straw is recovered as pure fiber. 



