The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07
Grue Nortberner.
Paw Paw. MICHIGAN. SEPT. I, 1877
Michigan Wheat.
To the Farmers OF Michigan:

ter of public Importance, ana is attract
inc marked attention at the present
time. AS the time for seeding approach
es and the farmer about to settle the
question what kind of wheat he shall
sow for next years crop, the relative
value of different varieties becomes a;mat-
ter of pressing importance. If there is
a marked difference in the productive.
ness of different varieties of wheat, and
in their relative immunity from the at.
tacks of destructive insects, it becomes a
matter of great concern which variety
10 SOW.
The Secretary of State shows that
more than 1,22S,000 acres of wheat
were on the ground in this State last
Maya difference of five bushels to the
acre in consequence of raising one varie'
ty rather than another would make a
total difference of more than 5000, 900
bushels, which at present prices would
be worth more than $4,000, 000--a
sum sufficient to make the difference be-
tween " hard times and good times "
TO the farmers or our State.
On the other hand, if there is a mark.
ed difference in the food value of differ
ent varieties of wheat, this becomes a
matter of just concern to the consumer
The statement that any variety of wheat
extensively cultivated is inferior in food
value seriously affects the farmer, be-
cause it depresses prices at home and
Injuries our market abroad. If only TO-.
100000 of our estimated 100000
bushels produced in this State this year
are sold, and the price depressed 10 cents
a bushel, the loss to the farmers of Michi-
gan is 81 100000. Justice, alike to the
farmer and the consumer, demands that
this question be settled in a way that
shall leave no doubt or obscurity on so
important subject. 1t should be set.
tied in such way that all the parties
interested should be properly represent
ed the miller, the baker, and the con-
sumner, should all have voice in set
ting this question.
The State Board of Agriculture have
been urged by farmers through their
various organizations to take up this
subject of the relative value eff different
varieties of wheat now raised in our
State and it would seem that the board,
from their position and relations are
eminently fitted to take charge of this
work. Although there was no quorum
of the board present, the members here
have as us med the responsibility of di.
recting that this investigation shall be
commenced at once and carried on, so
that, if possible, the farmers may learn
the results before the time for fall seed
ing Fortunately, the necessity of com.
paratively late seeding, in order to avoid
the injury by destructive insects. will
afford more time for this investigation.
1t is true that "the early bird catches
the worm" but it is unfortunately equal.
ly true that early sown wheat in this
State will catch the insect
The following plan of investigation
was submitted to the board and adopted
by them:
l. Let circular be addressed to the
farmers clubs and oranges in the State
and all interested in this work, through
the public press, asking for statistics of
the relative productivcness of different
varieties of wheat now raised in our
State, the replies to be condensed into a
brief summary by Prof Ingersoll also,
for information in regard to the relative
liability of each variety Of wheat to at
tacks by destructive insects,-a brief
summary on this topic will be prepared
by Prof Cook.
,. Gather a number of specimens
containing two bushels of each variety
of wheat from different parts of our State
Let hese specimens be separately ground
IN the same manner by some reliable
miller, who shall report the grinding
quality of each variety and the number
of pounds of merchantable -four to the
bushel of each variety of wheat.
3. Place this -four in the hands OF
some good baker, who shall report in
regard to its baking quality, and the
amount of bread made from the same
weight Of each kind of -four.
4 Let this bread be examined by a
committee of reliable experts, who shall
report in regard to the quality of bread
from each kind of -four.
8. Let specimen of each kind Of
-four be submitted to chemical analyses
to determine the amount of mineral mat.
ter, water, albumlnoids and carboby.
drates.
The results of all these separate ex.
aminations will then be continued in
one report, which will afford the farmer
the miller and the consumer reliable
data from which to judge of the relative
value of different varieties of wheat now
raised in this State. IL seems to me
that by such methods of investigation
we may secure information which will
be of great interest and Of permanent
value. So far as | can learn, no such
investigation has ever been made in our
state or even in the United States. BY
securing reliable information, derived
Al