THE HISTORY OF THE LINSEED OIL INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES.

By Whitney Eastman 'l0. Minneapolis:T.S. Denison & Co., 1968. 277 pp. $7.95.

A half-century association as an executive within the linseed oil industry has supplied the author with rich historical experience and intimate knowledge which he uses well in this account of a pioneer industry.

In ten chapters Mr. Eastman deals with the changing production of flaxseed (linseed); the organization and development of the linseed oil processing industry; and related matters. The chronology of these mutually dependent economic activities frequently demonstrates how direct and indirect competition and problem-solving propensities have driven men forward to improve both product and processes.

The author acknowledges in the text and in an extensive bibliography the work of many scientists to improve flax culture and to make the best use of linseed oil. One of the industry's leaders, Mr. Eastman encouraged his fellow industrialists to subsidize basic research.

As the author explains, flax touches many facets of American life. It is an important agricultural product in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Texas, growing best on new land. Its straw is now the source of most cigarette paper. Its oil is used extensively in making paints and varnishes, linoleum, shade cloth coating, patent leather, printing ink, and grinding, oxidized, and polymerized oils. The flaxseed poultice, known to older generations, however, has succumbed to modern medicine.

Dating back to the Hamilton Tariff of 1789, flaxseed growing has been a protected industry, except for very short periods of time. Along with other fats and oils, flaxseed derivatives continue to be protected, especially for military reasons. Flaxseed production has long participated also in the federal government's agricultural price support programs.

In addition to developing in some detail the above information, the author has sketched chronologically the entry, exit, and consolidation of firms in the linseed oil processing industry; the overall organizational efforts of the industry to deal with common industry problems; and the continuing competitive aspects of the industry.

The author deserves high commendation for recording the history of the linseed oil industry in the United States. The effort must have afforded him much satisfaction for as his daughter has said in the book's preface his work in the industry has been the "core of his life."

Mr. Carter, Professor of Economics Emeritusat Dartmouth, is Stephen B. MonroeProfessor of Money and Banking at KalamazooCollege.