Oils: The increasing cost of linseed oil has raised the interesting question as to whether or not it is good practice to use an admixture of other oils in connection with it, in high grade paint coatings. Strong differences of opinion will probably be found in regard to this question, and undoubtedly further investigation work is necessary in order to decide it. A number of different oils have been proposed for the purpose, of which, perhaps, soya bean oil is the one which has been most prominently discussed. No definite formulas, however, should be recommended until the results of investigations which are now being carried on are in hand. A systematic series of test panels is now being erected in Washington, D. C., on the grounds of The Institute of Industrial Research, which are designed to gather data covering just this point.
The flax crop conditions have been most discouraging during the past two years, and the natural shortage of seed has caused a rise in the price of linseed oil, which has necessitated a rise in the price of paint. The added protection to be secured, however, through the frequent application of paint far outweighs any increased cost which has been caused by the rise in price of the raw commodities entering into the composition of paint.