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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

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AMHERST

REPORT

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION

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Chicago, Illinois, February 25, 1886,

WITH THE

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT

Flax and Hemp Spinners and Growers' Association,

AND THE

REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.

BOSTON:
SMITH AND PORTER, PRINTERS,

Old South Chapel, Spring Lane,
1886.

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4

ADDRESS.

Geisttlemeist :

The object of the Flax and Hemp Association
is to advance the business in flax and hemp and their
products in the United States.

Since the formation of the Association in 1883,
we have on several occasions considered the matter
of the waste of the flax fibre in this country, and
also the question of the decline in the production of
American hemp. The result has been that we have
decided on the conference to which you are now
invited ; and we hope that a free exchange of views
will produce wise counsel, and that our action here
to-day may be productive of much good.

The history of flax is a most interesting study,
as it reaches back nearly four thousand years, and an
account of the origin and growth of this fibre and its
products stated in detail would be most attractive;
but we must at this time consider the conditions of
the industry as existing to-day, having in mind the
objects to be attained by this meeting.

Let us first consider the question of flax.

An estimate of the average crop of flax raised
in the world — outside of the United States — is

(3)

3,800,000 acres. Of this it is estimated that Kussia
cultivates 2,000,000 acres.

The acreage of 3,300,000 at an average of 336
pounds of fibre per acre would produce 495,000 tons
of flax, and this at an average of $250 per ton would
represent nearly $125,000,000. I believe this esti-
mate is a very conservative one.

Reports of the American flax-seed crop for the
year 1885 estimate the amount raised as 12,000,000
bushels, valued at $13,500,000. If the average were
twelve bushels to the acre, you must have planted
1,000,000 acres of flax. If this 1,000,000 acres had
been properly planted and cared for, and you had
saved 336 pounds of flax per acre, you would have
had 150,000 tons of fibre, which could have been
sold for a good round sum. Estimate it, if you
please, at $250 per ton, and you would have a total
of $37,500,000. You may wish to calculate upon a
little less production of seed, if you consider raising
flax for the fibre as well as for the seed, but a
liberal discount from the figures just named will
leave a sufficient amount to demonstrate the possible
increased value to be derived from the flax crop.

What have we to show for fibre on the immense
acreage of flax planted? Almost nothing.

If the estimate of 1,000,000 acres of flax is
correct, we stand second to Kussia in the acreage
planted; but in raising flax for the seed alone, we
have only India to keep us company.

We raise flax for the seed, we waste the fibre —
indeed, we even have to spend time and labor to
dispose of the straw containing the fibre, and then
perchance we wipe the sweat from our brows with a

linen towel made from fibre similar to that which we
labor to get rid of, — the cloth in the towel being
imported from Kussia, Ireland, or Scotland. Your
wheat crop commands a low price ; yon see the ac-
cumulation, and you talk of diversified crops and
look about to see what the future is to be, yet you
bind your sheaf of wheat with twine made from the
sisal of Central America or fi'om the manila of the
Philippine Islands, or of these fibres mixed, while
you throw away fibre suited to make good binder
twine.

I am, howeYcr, glad to state that there is some
binder twine used which is made from hemp and also
from flax, but I hope that in the near future the
twine for harvesting-machines may be made more
largely from American fibres.

It is said by many that flax exhausts the soil
more than other plants; but if this is so, your one
million acres of flax must be doing us great injury.
The exhaustion of the soil I understand to be com-
mon, and to apply to everything raised ; but it is the
rotation of crops and the renewal of the soil which
keep the land in prime condition. It is with pleas-
ure that I noticed in the Chicago Tribune, under
date of February 13, an article touching this point
by Mr. S. H. Stevens, Flax-seed Inspector of your
city, and I cannot do better than quote extracts from
his communication.

lie quotes from Tomlinson's Cyclopedia as
follows : —

" The great objection urged against the cultiva-
tion of flax is that it is an exhausting crop. And
this is quite true, for it abstracts a larger amount of

6

nitrogen from the soil than many other crops. But
under the new mode of management copied from the
careful systems of the Continent, this objection is
completely set aside. The restoration of the steep-
water, of the woody portions of the plant with the
husks of the seed to the soil, completely renovates
the soil, making it as well fitted to produce any crop
as before."

"Quoting from Wilson's 'Rural Cyclopedia^:
'AH the fibrous portion of the plant is elaborated
out of the elements of air and water, so that the fibre
alone might year after year for ages be removed from
the soil, or the plant might for ages be cultivated on
the same field by always returning to it the seeds,
the scutching, and the steep-water, without occasion-
ing a particle of impoverishment. Even the seeds
contain a very small portion of inorganic matter, or
matter derived from the soil, compared with the
whole bulk; and when they are all used in cattle-
feeding on the farm, and their organic principles
afterward returned to the land as an item of farm-
yard manure, they too, as well as the fibre, may be
taken off* for ages without impoverishment.'

"Read what J. Forbes Royle says in his 'Fibrous
Plants of India': "There is, however, one striking
point of dissimilarity between the cultivation of
wheat and that of flax. And we are indebted to Sir
Robert Kane for having for the first time brought
this point under the notice of the farmer in a forcible
manner, — namely, that while the mineral ingredients
which we remove from our fields in wheat, or cereals
in general, become constituents of food and enter in
this manner into circulation, from which, under

favorable circumstances, they return to the soil after
the lapse of some time, the woody fibre of flax as a
necessary preliminary to its being used by man is
separated to a considerable extent from those very
mineral substances which are so essential for its suc-
cessful growth. This mineral matter, when econo-
mized in a proper manner by the farmer, may be
returned to his field to keep up the equilibrium of its
fertility. The inorganic substances taken up by the
plant are only instruments used in its production,
which should be as carefully preserved as tools in a
manufactory, and will then do further duty in pro-
moting the elaboration of futui-e crops."

"Spon's 'Encyclopedia of the Industrial Arts
and Manufactures,' says : ' Analysis of the flax plant
dried at 100° {212° F.) shows 3.2 per cent, of ash;
this ash contains 20.32 per cent of potash, 19.88 of
lime, 10.24 of phosphoric acid. It is estimated that
the flax grown on one acre of land extracts from
the soil about fifty pounds of alkalies (chiefly pot-
ash) and twenty-four pounds of phosphoric acid.
Almost the whole of this might be returned im-
mediately to the soil if the refuse of the plant and
the retting water were utilized.

"'The soil of the "Western prairies (in wide
reaches) is so surcharged with the very ingredients
required by the flax plant, as shown by the analysis,
that it is important that they be reduced rather than
increased. The reduction is practical through the
cultivation of the flax plant, which will grow in the
greatest luxuriance on soil so overburdened with
alkali as to hinder or entirely bar the cereals. The
equilibrium of the soil would be restored by sowing

8

flax on the sod, and the dreaded alkali would be
taken up and become a source of wealth.

" ' I will say in passing, that while the flax plant
is more rapid, it is no more sure in exhaustion than
the cereals. When either is cultivated, the ingredi-
ents withdrawn should be restored, if needed, for the
coming crop. This can be most readily accomplished
by the cultivator of flax-seed. The woody centre
and the gum which cements the fibre thereto, retain
nearly all the earthy matter taken up ; and the husk
holds the remainder, the fibre is elaborated from air
and water. The returning of the flax straw to the
field whence it comes makes nearly a complete resto-
ration. Should it not be needed on the identical
land, then it is no less valuable on land on which the
waste of previous years begins to tell. But it is
hardly necessary to return to earth this straw in its
raw and undecomposed state, for as a forage it is
superior, cattle accepting it to the exclusion of all
other fodder. Thus, with the addition of the oil-
cake (which every feeder should use), the Western
farmer has well in hand all this very exhausting
crop, and has withdrawn from the soil a fertilizer
without cost, more valuable to his land than any
known to commerce.

'"While it is so easy and practical for the cul-
tivator of flax to retain the equilibrium of his fields,
not so the producer of the cereals, as the mineral
ingredients of the soil taken up become constituents
of food which is sold to foreign lands, and thus the
real wealth of our country is borne away without
recall.' "

From this it will be seen that with proper hand-

9

ling flax may be made less exhaustive than wheat;
and yet we to-day have a possible surplus of wheat,
while we import the flax we use, and even the coun-
tries of Europe are troubled about their future sup-
ply of flax.

As before stated, Russia is the largest producer
of flax, and has in the past exported enormous quan-
tities of the fibre ; but mthin a few years her people
have been large purchasers of English flax machin-
ery, and are establishing factories in Russia, which
will in time take the place of the production of hand
spinning and hand weaving.

Evidently Russia intends to supply her home
market with linen goods, and also has an eye on the
business of the Eastern countries.

This manufacturing in their own country is tak-
ing the best of their flax, and as a result the poorer
grades are being shipped, while formerly the best
selections of their crop were obtainable.

As showing the condition of the foreign flax
business, I will give quotations from a Flax Report
issued from Dundee, December 31, 1885, concern-
ing the business of the past year and the prospect
for the future : —

"In the flax trade one of the main features of
the year has been the unsatisfactory nature of the
supply of nearly all the Russian flax from the crop
of 1884. The continued deterioration of the supplies
from Russia is unquestionably one of the most seri-
ous considerations which consumers in this country
have to face, l^o doubt, for a year or two back, the
character of the seasons has not been altogether
favorable for the growth of the flax; but apart from

10

this there is abundant evidence that the preparation
and assorting of the flax is not what it used to be ;
marks have ceased to have their former significance,
and frauds and adulterations are practised, which
were formerly rare if not altogether unknown. It is
to be regretted that spinners are to such an extent
powerless in the matter; the weakness of the
position seems to be in the succession of short
crops, and the competition there is in securing the
article from first hands. There has been little if any
reserve of stock of the raw material, so that con-
sumers have been prematurely forced into the mar-
ket ; and the narrowness of margin between supply
and demand has no doubt aided producers in practis-
ing the adulterations and deterioration of brack,,
which has caused such disappointment and loss to
consumers. In September last, a conference of spin-
ners from France, Belgium, and Great Britain was
held at Antwerp to consider the question of the
Russian flax supply, and resolutions addressed to the
Russian Government were passed; it remains to be
seen, however, whether any benefit will arise from
this. The flax which has perhaps given rise to most
disapjDointment is that from Archangel, which seems
somewhat singular, seeing it is the only port where
the Government brack is still in force. The quality
has been going down year after year, but what ha&
been received this year has proved, on the whole,
worse than at any time hitherto. Shipments are fall-
ing off greatly from this port, as a large portion
of the crop formerly sent hither now finds its way
to St. Petersburg by rail.

11

" From St. Petersburg there has been about an
average supply, and to this must be added unusually
large shipments during the winter of St. Petersburg
district flax via Peval. Quality has been various, but
on the whole, both in Slanitz and white flaxes,
somewhat similar to the early samples. The ship-
ments from Pernau have been on a much more liberal
scale than was expected, and have disproved the
early reports of a short supply from that district ; the
quality, although leaving so much to be desired, has
been better maintained than that of any other de-
scription, but the cleaning is greatly deficient. From
Riga the importations have also been large, but the
quality has been in many cases very unsatisfactory,
and, on the average, shows a great falling ofi!" com-
pared to the flax shipped a few years ago ; deficient
cleaning, irregularity of brack, damping and stufiing,
have been the chief complaints. So great is the
variety in the Riga flax of some marks that it is now
difiicult, if not impossible, to determine what is ' aver-
age quality ' ; hence that term has almost fallen into
disuse, and the flax is sold according to the char-
acter of the shipper of the district in which it is
collected.

" With regard to the prospective supply of flax,
we regret to report rather unfavorably. Taken as a
whole, the crop in Russia is not likely to prove more
abundant than in the preceding year, which was not
up to an average either in point of quantity or
quality. From the Archangel and St. Petersburg-
districts the reports are particularly unfavorable, and
the quantity to come from them is likely to be much
under the average. In some important districts the

12

orop is reported to be almost exhausted already. In
the districts sii23plying Riga a comparatively better
crop has been secured, and we look for quite as much
being shipped as this year, and, on the whole, of
rather better quality. In the Pernau districts the
quantity will probably fall a little short of last year,
but the quality is expected to be better, as the
steeping process was accomplished under favorable
conditions. In Ireland and on the Continent the
Jiax crops of this year have proved successful, and
this will, of course, to some extent make up for the
deficiency in the Russian crop.

"For Spring shipment nothing has yet been
done; sellers have scarcely yet come forward with
offers, as the open winter in Russia has prevented
supplies coming forward freely. On the other hand,
consumers on this side are discouraged by the
wretched state of trade, and they will likely operate
very cautiously, unless prices open lower than pres-
ent appearances indicate.

" Tows. — The most noticeable feature in these
is the extraordinarily reduced state of stocks, and the
consequent sharp advance which has taken place in
prices during the year. At no period for many
years past have stocks, particularly of fine tows,
been so utterly cleaned out; and consumers who have
now to look for stocks will find it difficult, if not im-
possible, to procure them. The importations have
been falling off for several years back. Continental
buyers having operated more freely, especially in fine
Petersburg tows. Prices have now reached such a
point, however, that trade has become unprofitable
to spinners, and the demand may be expected to

13

diminish. The prospect of a liberal supply next
season is, unfortunately, not favorable, and con-
sequently the outlook for tow-spinners is not very
satisfactory."

With such an outlook for the production of flax
in Europe, may we not look forward to the time
when we can be exporters of flax?

Canada to-day sends us flax and tow, while our
conditions of soil and climate cannot be inferior to
theirs.

It is said you cannot raise seed and good fibre
at the same time, but this is not a fact. You must
sow your seed more thickly, must keep out the
weeds, must gather the stalks with care; and while
you will not get quite the quantity of seed per acre
which you would have if you sowed less seed and
had more branches to your plants, yet you will find
the fibre much more valuable than the seed.

Can the fibre be marketed if prepared?

The importations for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1885, are reported as follows : —

Tons. Value. Duty.
Flax, hackled, known

as dressed line . . 1,014 $599,453 |40,589
Flax, not hackled or

dressed .... 3,869 862,975 77,385

Tow of flax . . . 1,699 270,239 16,998

Total . . . . 6,582 $1,732,667 $134,972

134,972

$1,867,639

14

The 6,582 tons seems a small amount of fibre, if
we sow an acreage sufiicient to produce 150,000
tons of fibre, and it shows that if possible, we should
arrange to increase our consumption of flax.

Value. Duty.

The importations of brown

and bleached linens,
ducks, diapers, hand-
kerchiefs, etc. . . . 112,159,892 $4,255,962

4,255,962

Total ..... $16,415,854

Have we not a field for the extension of the
manufacture of linen piece goods in this country ; and
if an abundant supply of the raw material can be
furnished at a reasonable price, why cannot we do
more than we are now doing? Every efi'ort should
be made to have this class of goods produced in this
country as far as may be possible.

We cannot expect to manufacture at once the
full line of goods made from flax, but we should do
more than is now being done; and while our flax
may not be suited for the finest grades of linens, yet
we have a large field in the coarser grade of goods,
and when we can succeed in this, we can work to
accomplish the production of the finer grades. Some
persons would discourage the efforts to make linen
piece goods in this country, claiming that we cannot
successfully compete with the skill of the Old World;
but I do not agree with such opinions, as I believe
we can accomplish anything in this country, where
skill and enterprise are the bases of success.

15

The farmers in the West have shown a desire for
labor-saving machinery, and the care and preparation
of flax may in the past have seemed to be a tedious
operation, but it is expected the details of handling
flax will be simplified in the near future. Quite a
stir has been occasioned in the flax markets of the
world by a new scutching-machine, the invention of
a Frenchman. I quote from the United States Con-
sular Report as follows : —

" The new process consists in taking a handful
of stalks in a press similar to that of flax-combing
machines; these are received on a carriage, which
moves slowly on an endless chain, and are immedi-
ately pierced by steel pins, which move forward and
backward horizontally, and prick the outer surface
and divide it into small bits, which loosen themselves
and fall in particles. The fibre remains intact, and
none is perceptible among the heaps of chafl*.

" After this the stalks are nearly stripped of
skin, of which, nevertheless, some particles still ad-
here, which are entirely removed as they pass through
a mill, with fans. It then enters upon the third por-
tion of the machine, which is a combing-machine,
diflering from the ordinary combing-machines in
being arranged with fewer combs.

" It is claimed that by this process the stalks of
flax will turn out as much combed flax per pound as
by the old process was produced of 23eeled flax. For
instance, with flax stalks weighing 100 kilograms,
which yielded formerly twenty kilograms of peeled
stalk and twelve kilograms of combed flax, this new
process would give twenty kilograms of combed
flax.

16

"From the best information attainable from sev-
eral spinners, the reduction of cost is estimated at
forty per cent per kilogram for the spun flax.

" The labor is trifling. Each pair of machines
emjDloys three boys, about the same as combing-
machines.

" Those in the trade comprehend the advantages
of these results, and attach great importance to them,
and are adapting their business to the new state of
afiairs.

" These machines can be erected wherever a sup-
ply of flax can be obtained. The stalks can be
peeled by this new machinery, and the fibre combed
and prepared for shipment to the linen manufacturer.

" ]^early all of the spinners who have seen the
new machines have ordered them. The maker has
orders now for the construction of 238 machines.

" The inventor of this machine is M. Jules
Cardon. He has been superintendent of combing in
the Union Linen Works of the N^orth, and was
awarded last year a prize by the Industrial Society
of the IsTorth for an improved comber. He has tried
for ten years to invent a peeler. The third attempt
seems to be successful."

As with all new machinery or methods, there
are those who doubt the success of that which is un-
tried; but as the machine appears to be in the hands
of competent makers of flax machinery, I think that
we may look forward to favorable results.

Let us all start anew and try to accomplish
something in the matter of the utilization of the
flax fibre in the United States; let sample lots be

17

worked out by the farmers until the desired quahty
be obtained j let the manufacturers pay the highest
market price, and in every way aid and encourage
the growth and preparation of the fibre. If the
individual farmers cannot attend to the retting and
scutching of the flax, then let skilled persons have
charge of a mill in each farming district, where the
crops for a large territory can be made ready for
market.

Europe is armed to the teeth; each nation has a
watchful eye on its neighbor, and war may not be
impossible at some future time. It would take but
the involving of a few countries in war to stop the
greater part of the world's supply of flax from being
marketed, and yet we rest here amid plenty, and
import our flax fibre and our linens. I can but use
the remark of a Scotchman brought up in the linen
business, who visited our Western country not long
ago ; when he saw the flax fibre and its lack of use,
he said, " What a waste of God's mercies ! "

Referring to American hemp, we find the crops,
according to the census reports, to be as follows : —

Census of . . 1850

. . 34,871 tons

. . 1860 .

. 74,493 "

. . 1870

. 12,746 "

. . 1880

5,025 "

Estimated crop, 1885

. . 6,000 "

18

The report of the imports of hemp (not includ-
ing manila or sisal) is as follows : —

Tons. Value. - Duty.

Hemp . . . .

, 4,917

$778,327

1122,945

Tow of hemp .

709

84,957

7,097

Hemp yarns

. 172

32,728

11,454

One reason for the decline in the demand for
American hemp is that now the bagging for covering
cotton is made largely from jnte, because of a claimed
absence of the shive, which was formerly found in
hemp and flax bagging. Another reason is that the
manila, sisal, and jute fibres have taken the place of
hemp in cordage, yarns, and similar goods, and the
low price of these fibres has had' the efi'ect to stim-
ulate their consumption.

Many persons have expressed to me their opin-
ion that the past legislation concerning the laws
afiecting the importation of jute, has proved a great
injury to the business in flax and hemp. We have
with us to-day representatives from the hemp-grow-
ing districts of Kentucky, who should express to
you fully their views as to the past and present con-
dition of their business, as well as indicate the pros-
pect for the future.

As showing the importations of jute, manila,
and sisal, I present the following for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1885 : —

19

Tons. Value. Duties.
Manila and other

like substitutes 25,408 |3,908,546 |634,217

Sisal grass . . . 31,736 2,245,020 476,048

Jute 14,922 785,507 157,101

Jute butts . . . 78,230 2,304,553 391,153

" yarns . . . 4,842 466,555 163,294

155,138 19,710,181 |1,821,813
1,821,813

111,531,994

These figures indicate the enormous proportions
to which the business in these fibres has been car-
ried; and whatever the errors of past legislation con-
cerning them, whereby American fibres may have
sufiered, the fact that these industries are now estab-
lished must be recognized at this time. You must
consider what is best for the promotion of the Amer-
ican hemp industry, and I trust you will be able to
give this matter due attention.

Can we not devise measures to promote the flax
and hemp industries? Can a stimulus be given to
the invention of new machinery to produce results
in less time and at less cost than by present methods ?
Can we not make a strong effort to utilize the flax
fibre we may raise? Can we not aid to bring
about an increased production and consumption of
American hemp?

These are questions of vital interest, and they
are now before you. Let us consider them carefully,
not expecting to accomplish the desired results in a
day, but rather to lay a sure foundation, and then

20

press forward to the building tip of industries which
shall be a credit to our country. I have tried to lay
before you facts rather than to attempt to solve the
problems which we are here to consider. This
meeting should throw light on the questions to be
considered, and the solution of the difficulties ought
to be determined after we have had a full inter-
change of views.

21

Copy of Notice calling the Convention,

SPINNERS AND GROWERS'
ASSOCIATION-

Boston, Februai-y 15, 1886.
Dear Sir : —

A meeting of the members of this Association, with flax and
hemp growei's and manufacturers, and all others interested in the
promotion of the flax and hemp industry in the United States, will
be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, on
Thursday, February 25, at 11 o'clock, a. m.

It is expected that manufacturers using flax and herup will
bring to the meeting samples of these fibres in various stages of
manufacture, that their requirements ma}^ be fully explained to
the growers. It is also expected that the growers of flax and
hemp will bring samples of what the}^ may have raised of these
fibres, in the straw, and of the same retted, scutched, or otherwise
prepared, to show the manufacturers what the growers are now
doing.

Please interest yourself and prepare samples to be submitted,
with statement of an}^ facts, statistics, or suggestions which would
be of value in connection therewith.

We trust you will attend and take an interest in this
movement for the advancement of the flax and hemp business in
America,

By order of the Board of Government,

F. A. J. SMITH, See'y, A. R. TURNER, Jr., Pres't,

P. 0. Box 2984, New York. P. 0. Box 5284, Boston.

You are requested to send notice of the meeting to any persons in
your vicinity who would be interested, and to recxuest their attendance.

22

ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS.

A meeting of the Flax and Hemp Spinners and
Growers' Association, with others interested in the
promotion of the flax and hemp industry, was held
at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, on Thursday
morning, February 25, 1886, at eleven o'clock.

The meeting was called to order ; and on motion
of Mr. Abram Bentley, of 'New Brighton, Pa., Mr.
A. P. Turner, Jr., of Boston, President of the Asso-
ciation, was elected to act as chairman and Mr. F.
A. J. Smith, of New York, Secretary of the Asso-
ciation, and Mr. "W. J. Loughridge, of Lexington,
Ky., as secretaries.

Mr. A. P. Turner, Jr., presented an address to
the Convention, and the address was ordered to be
printed.

The Secretary read most interesting communi-
cations on the growth, preparation, etc. of flax, from
Mr. J. H. Poss, of the Boston Thread and Twine
Company, Boston, Mass.; Mr. H. C. Plumley, of
the "Dakota Argus," Fargo, Dakota; and Mr. H.
C. Craig, of Walnut, Kansas.

A general discussion ensued on the practica-
bility of using hemp (Kentucky) and native-grown
flax for binder twine, in lieu of the manila and sisal

23

used at present, Mr. Bentley contending that it was
merely a matter of education (with regard to the
tension of the reaping-machines) of the farmers, and
that flax or hemp twine was superior to the manila
and sisal; Mr. C. S. Crane, of Chicago, controverting;
and Messrs. W. Jerome, of Champaign, 111., H. A.
Dement, of Dixon, 111., J. S. Mahan, of Champaign,
111., James Bojce, of Muncie, Ind., and others taking
part. Mr. John Hinde, of 'New York City, and Mr.
Bentley discussed matters relating to flax and flax
tow, and explained the preparation of the same for
fibre, for threads and twines and manufacturers'
uses, many questions being asked and answered on
the subject. It was stated by Rev. John P. Conkey,
of Dubuque, Iowa, that flax straw was valuable as
fodder, and that he spoke from experience, having
fed it to his cattle with great success.

On motion of Mr. Bentley, it was voted that
" a committee of nine, consisting of three represent-
ing the flax-groAving interest, three the hemp-grow-
ing interest, and three manufacturers of these fibres,
be delegated to visit Washington, and petition
Congress to award a premium for the invention of
a machine for the improved handling of flax and
hemp fibres."

The meeting was then adjourned for an hour.

The meeting reconvened at three o'clock. Presi-
dent Turner in the chair.

Mr. Sparks, of Kicholasville, Ky., spoke at
length on the question of the tariff (with reference
to Mr. Bentley's motion), advocating a continuance
of the duty on hemp and flax, and claiming that
protection was more needed than new machinery.

24

Mr. Boyce, of Muncie, Ind., moved that Mr.
Bentley's motion be laid on the table. Lost.

Mr. Sparks moved an amendment to Mr. Bent-
ley's motion: '^That the same committee shall pro-
test against any reduction in the present tariif
relating to fibres, and shall fully represent the
affairs of the Convention before the proper Con-
gressional Committee." This amendment was ac-
cepted by Mr. Bentley, and the motion was further
amended by adding that the chairman appoint the
members of said committee before the close of the
convention. Seconded by Mr. Loughridge, of Lex-
ington, Ky., and carried unanimously.

Mr. Loughridge moved that " a committee
be appointed, consisting of Mr. Bentley, of l^ew
Brighton, Pa., Mr. R. W. McEery, of Frankfort,
Ky., and Mr. Crane, of Chicago, 111., to draft a set
of resolutions expressing the sense of the Associa-
tion in reference to tariff legislation, and any other
matters which they may deem of interest to parties
here represented." Carried.

On motion, the meeting adjourned until Feb-
ruary 26, at ten A. m.

Mr. Rogers, representing the Chicago Board of
Trade, extended an invitation to the members of the
Association to visit the Board of Trade. The invi-
tation was accepted, and twelve o'clock, February
26, was the time decided upon.

25
Febkuaby 26.

The meeting was promptly called to order at
ten A. M., President Turner in the chair.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as
follows : —

^^ Resolved, That we, as growers and manufac-
turers in convention assembled, agree to use every
endeavor to advance the interests of the flax and
hemp industry in the United States; that as growers
we will iise every effort to raise and prepare the fibre
with reference to the wants of the maniifacturers,
and that as manufacturers we will co-operate with
the growers and give preference to American flax
and hemp."

It was moved by Mr. Boyce, of Muncie, Ind.,
that the report be adopted, and seconded by Mr.
Loughridge. Carried.

The Committee further reported as follows : —

" Whereas, Any reduction of the tariff at this
time on foreign fibres, including jute, manila, sisal,
flax and hemp, would, in our opinion, be disastrous
to important domestic industries, both agricultural
and manufacturing : therefore, be it resolved by this
Convention, representing both producers and man-
ufacturers, that our Senators and Representatives in
Congress be respectfully urged to oppose any such
reduction, whether by direct legislation or indirectly
by reciprocity treaties, and that a memorial be pre-
pared and forwarded to every Senator and member
of Congress, and that we will individually urge the
matter upon their attention."

Moved adoption by Mr. Boyce, of Muncie, Ind.,
and seconded by Mr. Sparks. Carried.

26

The President appointed a committee to visit
Washington, to consist of the following: —

Hon. Henry D. Dement, Dixon, 111.
Mr. John F. Conkey, Dubuque, Iowa.
Mr. W. S. Benton, Minneapolis, Minn.
Mr. W. J. Loughridge, Lexington, Ky.
Mr. A. S. Winston, Lexington, Ky.
Mr. B. A. Mellen, St. Louis, Mo.
Mr. Abram Bentley, ^N'ew Brighton, Pa.
Mr. William Barbour, Paterson, ]N". J.
Mr. Wm. Allen, :N'ew York, ]^. Y.

On motion of Mr. Bentley, the President, Mr.
Turner, was added to and named as chairman of the
above committee. Discussion then ensued in regard
to the best method of reaching the farmers, with in-
formation as to the method of growing and prepar-
ing flax for fibre.

Mr. Bentley moved " That the President's
address be printed, together with an account of the
proceedings of the Association at this meeting, and
also that a pamphlet setting forth the manner of the
planting, preparing, etc. of flax be issued under the
direction of the Board of Government." Seconded
by Mr. Hinde. Carried.

Mr. Wm. Barbour, of Paterson, ^NT. J., moved
" That the expenses of the committee to Washington
be paid by the Association." Carried. •

It was moved and adopted that Mr. Mahan, of
Champaign, 111., take charge of the various samples
exhibited, and present the same to the University of
Illinois, at Champaign.

27

The Flax and Hemp Spinners and Growers'
Association then met as an Association, for the elec-
tion of members, and the election of officers to serve
for the ensuing year.

The following new members were proposed in
writing by Mr. Gr. H. Torr, of Andover, Mass., and
they were unanimously elected.

Mr. E. E. Sparks, Nicholas ville, Ky.

Mr. W. J. Loughridge, Lexington, Ky.

Mr. James Boyce, Muncie, Tnd.

Messrs. J. F. Scott & Bro., Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky River Mills, Frankfort, Ky.

Mr. A. S. Winston, Lexington, Ky.

Messrs. H. B. ]S"elson & Bro., Lexington, Ky.

Mr. C. S. Crane, Chicago, Bl.

The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year : —

Mk. a. K. TuKis^EE, Jr., Boston, Mass., President.
Mr. Wm. Allen", ISTew York City, Vice-President.
Mr. Geo. H. Torr, Andover, Mass., Treasurer.
Me. F. a. J. Smith, 'New York City, Secretary.

28

Board of Oovernment.

Mr. Christopher Bailey, Philadelphia, Pa.

Mr. Chas. F. Wymai^, Boston, Mass.

Mr. John G. McMaster, Greenwich, IS". Y.

Mr. Wm. Barbour, Paterson, ]^. J.

Mr. James Boyoe, Muncie, Ind.

Mr. E. p. Sparks, ]^icholasville, Ky.

Mr. Abram Bentley, ^ew Brighton, Pa.

On motion, adjourned sine die.

F. A. J. SMITH, Secretary.