Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-24
Our Milling Interests.

Upon the principle that it is wise econo-
my to manufacture our raw material when
ever practicable, the wheat-producers of
this section of the Valley will probably be
favored to a degree in marketing their
wheat above any other in the State
There are more merchant-millers and
larger number of the best grade of mills,
where there are markets for wheat, in
county, including Stauntop, than
anywhere else in the State, except at Rich
mond. Not only are the millers and the
mills to the extent stated, but the capital
invested is equally so. Not second to
these facts, which have strong bearing
upon the present situation, there is another
which may be regarded as even more po-
tential for good in the future as it has been
in the passive allude to the reputation of
the flour which is manufactured here, and
the ready and growing demand there is for
it.
In the new and enlarged progress going
on in varied developments, in which thu
citizens of Staunton and Augusta county
are among the leading contributors, it
should be welcome reflection to our
farmers that chief part Of their interests
is receiving such valuable recognition. We
are of that class of persons who see in our
past history much to be proud of, and
much that deserves to be emulated, and
believe that like results will follow the ap-
plication of the same degree of effort that
gave success in no small degree to those
who have gone before US. To put actively
to work all the elements which create
profitable commerce, is one of the great
studies which belong to political economy.
1t may not have occurred to the merchant
mlllers of our section to consider the i'm
portance of their forward movements to
the extent it deserves. They are chief
factors in our commerce, and that truth
should be fully known and appreciated
Merchant-milling requires clear and acute
judgment, far.reaching observation and
discernnent, and much equanimity in men
tai composition. The trade or toll-mills
the producer of the wheat taking the
flour product to market-have been rapidly
succeeded by the merchant class, with
commerce quickened and all parties inter-
ested benefited in the changes. A mer-
chant-mill in these days is small affair if
it does not turn out more flour in given
time than dozen or more of their old burr
predecessors. The transition has been
rapid, and localizes the wheat market in
some respects whilst it expands it in other
ways. To be within the radius of local
market-the farmer transporting his crop,
through his own faoilities-is to have an
advantage which all cannot possess, and it
is one which should be highly priced by
all who have it.
We are passing through an experience
which has much to do with the commerce
of our own section of country. Our pro-
duction would be in vain without market.
There are the leading, the intermediate,
and the local markets, 8s the demand may
exist for cur products. Commerce and
trade are moved by steamships and rail
roads, and electricity communicates the
notes of values. The merchant-mills must
be reached, and as they cannot exist every
where, the communities producing wheat
which have them, ere more fortunate than
others that have them not. The farmers
of Augusta county are signally favored in
this respect, and from present prospects
such advantages will continue to increase
A communicating center is one of the
most desirable classes of industrial growth.
The larger the growth, the greater its
value becomes. Of all the products of the
soil none dispenses the blessings which flow
from wheat, and its culture should realize
in proportion to its Importance.
Recurring to our expressed desire to
follow the wise counsel and to practice the
methods as developed in the past which
signally promoted prcsperity-building up
a new and valuable commerce-the thought
was in connection with the manufacture of
flour at Richmond and its export to South
America during the fifteen or twenty years
before 1861. The returning cargoes were
principally coffee, and if the international
trade had not been disturbed, Richmond
today, if not the largest in exporting flour,
would have been the largest coffee market
in the United States. The lessons and ex.
perience of that prosperity will never be
effaced from the memories of those who
still live that Witnessed them. The appli-
cation is not made to induce an effort at
like trade on our part, but to maintain the
point that there is great wealth in that
kind of progress which djffuses general
prosperity around its centers, and to none
in less degree in values invested than to
wheat.producers.
Wbeat-culture is the basis in.the rotation
system which brings about the highest
grades of filth to the soil. From that fol-
lows the practice Of the other economies
that reach all through the mixed industries
as they are SO advantageously purtured on
our Valley farms. There are nearly
enough roller-process mills here, all of
which are run under the merchant system,
to grind the entire crop of wheat of
Augusta county. These establishments,
however, are increasing, and we may ex-
pect to see additional interest in cur wheat
market, and that valued cereal coming in
from many distant fields. There is this
fact which may be again stated, as it has
often been before in our remarks upon
local trade, that to the producer near by
and for that matter farther away than
some might suppose-our Observation-Disclosures
pay better prices than can be realized in
distant markets. 1t is often the case that
our quotations of prices here are higher
than at the larger and distant markets
without reference to the cost of transport
tatiop, which would be that mnch less in
realization of net gain.
The price Of wheat during the present
marketing season has been much better
than in former wars and tho proha h;I;t;au