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 farmer who realizes $12 
per acre for his seed can deliver his straw at tow mills or other cen- 
tral points for, say, $4 per ton, he is realizing an increased revenue 
