UTILIZATION" OF AMERICAN FLAX STRAW. 23 



As a suggestion for consideration, farmers may find it advisable to 

 act cooperatively. For example, the farmers within a 5 -mile radius 

 might own and operate a tow mill of sufficient capacity to market the 

 entire quantity of straw within their area. Under this system the 

 farmer not only would benefit by the sale of his straw but would re- 

 ceive also a profit from the manufacture of the tow. 



From present indications it appears that different grades of tow 

 should be produced for the paper industry, depending on the grade 

 of paper to be manufactured. For example, a medium grade of tow 

 might answer the requirements of the board manufacturer, while a 

 fine or extra fine grade would be required by the wrapping-paper 

 manufacturer. Investigation doubtless will be continued along the 

 wrapping-paper and writing-paper lines, in order to develop a market 

 which will absorb an appreciable amount of this large and potentially 

 valuable crop waste. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



Should flax straw or tow prove to be of value to the paper or board 

 industry, the condition of the raw-material market at the present 

 time is such that the new supply would be very welcome to the trade. 

 Since this work was undertaken, many calls for information have 

 been received from the mills and many offers of cooperative help 

 have been extended, which show conclusively the attitude and needs 

 of the industry. 



If, as seems very probable, domestic flax straw or tow can replace 

 imported flax waste in the manufacture of counter boards, it should 

 open up a market for about 20,000 tons of straw, which, although a 

 small amount, is a step in the direction of the advancement of home 

 industry. 



Should the straw be able to compete successfully in the manufac- 

 ture of writing papers it should open up a market of between 200,000 

 and 400,000 tons of straw per annum, the sale of which would repre- 

 sent an added revenue to the flax region of $800,000 to $1,600,000. 

 This country is importing over $2,000,000 worth of rags per annum, 

 which are used largely in the manufacture of writing papers. 



The wrapping and bag paper lines offer like possibilities, which 

 are worth consideration in this general project. 



The flax crop, which furnishes normally $33,000,000 worth of flax 

 seed, yields about 1,400,000 tons of straw, which is put to no profitable 

 use and for the most part is burned in the fields. It is purely a waste 

 product and, moreover, one which is already assembled to a large 

 degree. It has always been a migratory crop, but increased knowl- 

 edge of its nature and proper methods of raising are beginning to 

 check this condition. Moreover, if the flax fanner who realizes $12 

 per acre for his seed can deliver his straw at tow mills or other cen- 

 tral point-, for, say, $4 per ton, he ls realizing an increased revenue 



