New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-17
TIE ELOHR TRADE

Forty-six years ago. in 1920 the character OF New
York Flour was below that Of the States OF Penn
sylvania, Maryland and Virginia. There was an IN
spector but his standard regarded as neither very
high nor very uniform. Some Of the New-York mil
lers theu made good -four, above the standard. and
doubtless found their interest promoted By keeping
up the credit of their brands. But in general, the
credit and character of New.York Flour, at home
and abroad below that Of the other States before
named
In the year 1921 or early in 1872, John Brown.
baker, and an excellent judge of -four was appointed
to the Office of Inspector OF Flour in New.York lie
raised the New-York standard of Inspection up to
that of any and above that of most OF the Southern
Inspectors. The grades of wheaton -four were five;
Superfne, Fine Fine Middlngs. Mddlings and Ship
Stuff. Some Of the millers. when they considered
their -four 10 be Of superior quality, would put on
their brand twice, which was called their double
brand and which would command more ready sale,
and sometimes a higher price, but not often an sd-
vance Of more than twenty-five cents per barrel.
Whoever then bought barrel Of Western or Troy
Flour for family at a cost perhaps, Of from s. to 81,
had a. good bread and pastry from it, as can now be
made of St. Louis four costing $l7 or $lS But
little was thon heard or thought Of sTtra -four, and
nothing of the numerous extras that now figure the
barrels, and crowd the daily market reports in the
newspapers.
Some millers kept their mills running upon standard
-four, such as would pass inspection super6ne. and
did not aim higher. Occasionally they would run too
near or even against the standard, and then John
Browns deputies would cut of super aud leave fine,
which usually reduced the price from % to 90 cents
per barrel. Fine or super6ne, it was good whole
some article for bread, and in good repute both
at home and in foreign markets.
Temptations aSsailed some Of the millers then. as
possibly they may incite some Of the fraternity now
large quantity of foreign wheat had been stored in
bond in England, where it had lain several years,
and had become unsound-musty. 1t had peculiar,
dank, malarious odOr, and was called Bag Wheat,
having been imported in bags. More than one Of the
New-York millerS bought of this bag wheat and
ground il with sound wheat, to the material injury Of
the quality of their -four and the reputation of their
brands. When very lightly sprinkled, the mixture
being mostly of sound wheat ii did sometimes escape
the critical examination Of the deputy inspectors, and
pass their ordeal. But il not safe then. little
leayen Of that kind was sufficient to eayen the whole
lump of the barrel and insure its return to the
der.
In the Summer of ls22, the yellow fever so-called,
appeared at the foot Of Recorst., and about Albany
Basin. The lower part of the City was nearly de-
serted and what business was left to il was driven up
town--up TO and above Springst. As vessels could
not be furnished with clean bills of health the foreign
business far as exports concerned broken
up. The price of -four was so low, that many thou
sand barrels principally of Troy and Western brands
were sent to Philadelphia, and there sold at profit
The barrels and the branding were not in conformity
with the requirements of the laws of Pennsylvania;
but the friendly and enient inspector forbore their
rigid enforcement giving notice 20 the New Workers,
that if they should come another year, they must
pect to comply with the laws of his State.
The quality of the flour was so decidedly above the
Pennsylvania standard OF inspection that some of the
western fine was fully mp to Pennsylvania superfne,
and passed as such there The good people of Phila-
dephia were not backward in approaching this supe-
rority, and, for long time aerward. took care to be
supplied with the better brands of New York Western
Flour. How is it now How is New York Flour sp-
preciated in our own market The market report of
Trne1o- Nora,ckar \ I9,g