INFLUENCE ON LINSEED OIL OF SOURCE OF FLAX, ETC. 15 



With regard to the physical properties of the oils it will be seen that 

 in most cases the station averages differ considerably from year to 

 year. 



A relationship appears to exist between specific gravity and color, 

 the oils with the highest specific gravity being invariably lighter in 

 color. 



No relationship appears to exist between the acid value of the oils 

 and the station at which they are produced. This is to be expected 

 when it is considered that the acidity of an oil is due perhaps more 

 to conditions of harvesting, handling, and storage of the seed than 

 to agricultural factors. 



The iodin values as well as the drying tests of the oils, from the 

 standpoint of the stations, bear about the same relationship as the 

 specific gravities. Since the iodin value is due to certain constituents 

 in the oil, this particular property is doubtless influenced very much 

 by the growth of the plants, which in turn is affected by the location 

 of stations and changed climatic conditions. 



The yields of oil from the different flax varieties varied consider- 

 ably. Some varieties maintained comparatively high average yields 

 during the two seasons under observation. The variability of the 

 oil yields may be attributed to varietal differences in the plants in 

 conjunction with conditions of growth and season. 



It appears that certain of the Cereal Investigations numbers, such 

 as Nos. 19 and 3, grown at the several stations during two successive 

 seasons yielded constantly high percentages of oil. The other varie- 

 ties, Nos. 12 and 13, show constantly low yields of oil. 



Distinct differences are also noted in the specific gravities of the 

 oils from the several varieties under consideration. Nos. 13 and 3 

 averaged higher than Nos. 12 and 19. 



A marked fluctuation in acidity is noticed among the various 

 Cereal Investigations numbers, no apparent relationship existing be- 

 tween them. The iodin values, on the other hand, bear a definite 

 relationship to the Cereal Investigations numbers. Nos. 12 and 13 

 maintained high average iodin values, while Nos. 3 and 19 averaged 

 somewhat lower from year to year. In the drying tests the varieties 

 which show a tendency to dry rapidly or slowly are dependent to a 

 large extent upon a combination of high iodin value with high specific 

 gravity or high acid value. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



In conclusion, it may be stated that the results of the investiga- 

 tion show that varieties of flax possessing agronomic differences also 

 differ in both the physical and chemical properties of the oils. Va- 

 rieties possessing certain properties maintain these properties to a 

 marked degree from season to season. From these results it may 



