Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-19
TIE WHEAT QUESTION.

IHh NaGAE SOLS% AS-N
A meeting of the Produce Exchange was
held IN San Francisco last week, in-which the
matter of the decline of prices of California
wheat in the European markets was discussed
by several members. The causes assigned for
such decline by all present was the same as
we have on several occasions stated them to
be. viz. : The carelessness of farmers IL
selecting and cleaning their seed, the slovenly
manner in which the thrashing and cleaning
is done, and the practice of mixing wheat of
different grades promiscuously in the same lot
for SALE Il was stated as fact at this meet
ing that when California wheat was first
introduced into the European markets, it was
more sought for, and commanded better prices
than any other wheat produced in the world.
That two sLillings per quarter, or twenty
cents per GENITAL was then the customary
premium commended by California wheat
over wheat from other countries, hut that now,
in consequence of the unsatisfactory condition
of the California wheat, which has been
growing worse and worse for number OF
wears past, we are compelled to accept two
shilliugs less per quarter, or twenty cents less
per Genital, than good wheat from other coun-
tries commanded. This depreciation was of
course loss TO the farmers, and that loss was
not less thsn So, 000 eco per annum on the
average. This is a subject which this journal
was the first in the State to call attention to,
and which we have endeavored to keep before
the farmers as a class most interested. While
we advocate a system of farming in which
wheat culture shall hold less conspicuou
place than it has, and does now, in Cali
fornia, yet We hold while it is the
first agricultural product of the State
it should be kept up to the very highest pos
sible standard. California produces white
and dry wheat, which is, and always will be,
in special demand for mixing with the red
damp wheats of England, the Atlantic
States, and parts of Russia, but California
farmers are being taught lesson in the COM
parative reduction of prices, which it Is de-
cidedly to their interest to remember and act
upon in the future. Three million dollars a
year TO the wheat farmers Of our State is no
triaing consideration, and it must be re1nem-
bered that this is by no means the limit OF
the loss that will soon follow If steps to check
the depre ciaticn be not taken at once. We
appeal to the wheat farmers, not as class,
but as individuals, to apply the remedy, and
not only check. the further depreciation Of
California wheat, lat to regain what has
beea lost. Whas that remedy Is, and how it
should and must be applied, Is very well
pointed out by the resolutions adopted by the
meeting referred to, and for the benefit Of our
wheat-growing readers We copy them in full
WHEREAS, 4 petition from the miiiers Of the state
has been presented to this Association asking US to
join with them III enforcing some rule when shall
reduce the Injuries under which they IT present sui
fer tho occasional presence Of gravel stonss
and adobe in wheat aud ~ nearly the same time
meeting exporters vas held III tins city, where
complaint made that serious losses h been III
CURED in the s4le OF caFgoes Ia England IN eoEs-
QueLce OF the mixing OF Inferior anu t0uI wheat
with gu0d, and the appeal BY these gentlemen has
been made TO joIs with them III setk inS Tor q
remedy Tor this evil. Nog therefore, be II
ReS0iCed, That We, the members Oi the Produce
Exchange reVreseuIag, IS we do, all the Interests
at stake this question, do heI by appeal to all
VINO can aid Us 10 join hands with US III united I
effort raise the standard Of California "heat and
20 keep separate the several grades and qualities
that iU prices may be realized exactly according to
the value and condition of the artis sold
in the selection OF seed wheat, to take precSu.ioh
while mars estiug which shall keep the foul and the
clean. the shIiVeled nj the plump, wheat III lois
each by Itself tG keep out If the market entirely
that portion Of c wheat which Is hkey 10 nave
either adobe OF gravel III It
We appeal to those parties who deal in wheat
buying the farmer and selling 70 the consumer
or exp3Iter-to do what they can to preserve the
various lots u wheat from the ranches int.ct,
that samples will fairly represent lots aud veNAtious
disputes be avoided
We appeal to carriers TO exercise care in the sep
srstiou Of lots iutrustd TO them for transportation
so that in cases where lots prove TO be uniform
in quality purchasers may be able TO trace the fault
10 its source.
We appeal to purchasers to Insist upon the de
livery according to sample Of purchase contracts,
and 10 recognize more fully the differences IN value
between clean and foul wheat, TO decline to receive
adobe and gravel for wheat, and TO recognize Ia
their offers Tie difference in values between wheat
M sound, strong sacks and that which ID delivered
in bad order.
Ii tn foregoing requests are complied with, the
farmer viii better prices Tor his crop the
buyer and seller OF wheat Viii avoid arbtratOus end
lawsuits the exporter viii feel more confidence as
10 the fdture Of his business the miller Sil he ab
% pu his wheat into he hopper without II, milling
Tor that he may ruin his burrs and through
the Increased confidence all sides, better prices
viii be maintained Tor cho &C heat than can Row be
commlustd
We therefore appeal to all upon the ground Of self
interest aud sell protection
A. matte now Stand, niilers have found It Deoas
sary Tor their pTots ctlou the TACT
that good, bad AID indifferent wheat mixed in
single lots ana it u wt!i ascertined TACT that tx
p1rters longer conduct operations with sstety
10 themselves vita due credit abroad to the pro-
duoc OF the state owing To III fact that in many
Instances good aud bad wheat delivered alongside
a vess together an indiscriminaJe mixture occurs
aud the result is that buyers in EUROPE Of clrsoes of
California heat now only look tor TINS mixture aud
frame their ices accordingly.
Hence California wheat, which only few years
ago commi nded the top prices in the European
markets, has fallen to IL OF sixth place, the
produce Of Australia, Chiie Oregon aud even so7at
oil the I.disn wheat oyerseliEg It. The Gallo MIA
ayri uiurist is tha primary sa1o er by this condl
ton OF affairs
Each who is raising poor wheat o. marketing
badly cl aIed wheat Is helping 20 pul down the
average value Of the produce vi the state abroad
AID 10 deprcciate the value Of his own and his
neighbours ald, while he who Is cultiyatiug well and
before marketing thoroughly cleans and sorts his
wheat t. the other hand. raising the produce Of
this State in worth and appreciation and correspond
ingly The value Of farming lands throughout the
State.
Tne condition Of Affairs which has Brought this
matter before the Exchange and has Icpe.led this
action hss been produced by mutual neglect, and
only be remeiisd by mutual actisR.
ResoirCd. Tint the acton tEkon by this meeting
h printed IN tue form OF 4 circular report and FUR
ni@hcd 70 members for distribution.
MARKETING FRUIT.
The frait season has fairly commenced.
Prom strawberries we have red raspberries,