The Oregon Women's Flax Industry
By MRS. W. P. LORD, Salem. Or.
AT the present time we, as a nation, are in the enjoyment of such great prosperity it is difficult for us to look back to those years in the '90s when the reverse was the case. When we see the market quotations, "hops 31 cents," can we recall, not so many years ago. when hops were 4, 5 and 6 cents a pound—a loss of 2 cents a pound to all those unfortunate people who had grown them? Wheat was 38 cents a bushel, butter 15 cents a pound, and so on down the long list of the commodities, which our farmer friends depend upon for existence. While on a visit East in 1893, the agricultural depression being everywhere the subject uppermost in discussion, some ladies connected officially with the Chicago Fair urged upon the writer that she should bring to the attention of the people of Oregon the fact that the world's supply of flax is year by year failing to meet the demand of manufacturers for raw material; also to call to their attention the remarkable showing made at the Centennial, when Oregon's flax took first prize in competition with the best product of Ireland and of Belgium. Surely the time had arrived when Oregon's long "buried talent" should see the light of day.
Mrs. Candace Wheeler, who had been a factor in the development of the silk industry, was greatly interested in the idea of an American linen industry, which she felt could be realized in a country where soil, climate and water combined to produce ideal conditions for the growth of flax. Mrs. Oberg, of Minnesota, had already started a flax crusade in her state, and my introduction to her by letter brought a prompt response, with literature and personal information on the subject. The writer returned to Oregon pledged to do her uttermost to start the ball rolling.
At this time a station in Whatcom, Washington, under the auspices of the fiber department of the Agricultural Bureau, was being conducted under Dr. Thornton. He consented to give some illustrated talks at the State Fair, and bring with him specimens of flax he had grown. This was the opening wedge. The writer supplemented it with talks at Farmers' Institutes and Grange meetings, and with frequent personal visits to farmers.
This work continued the first year. An opportunity was then offered to present the subject through the medium of a talk at the Woman's Club in Portland, the outcome of which was the forming of an association for the development of flax culture. A stock company was formed and the members devoted themselves industriously to the work. Farmers responded beyond our expectations in willingness to make the effort, and offered of their best land for planting. A scutching mill was established, a superintendent secured, and every detail was carefully attended to. Some of the foremost
