The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-01-15
SMUTTY WHEAT.
Another Trick Of the Millers-It Is
Fault Easily Cured
HOW THE PRODUCERS ARE
PLUNDERED,

Farm, Stock and Home has been con-
tinuing it's investigations of the smutted
wheat matter and has found something
that will certainly interest all wheat
growers, and may possibly discomfort
some wheat buyees. It is not necessary
to describe the process of cleaning smut
ty wheat, any further than to say that
the latest process is to wash it on
screen by water thrown against it with
considerable force. After washing it is
elevated through hot air that dries it in
Transit and delivers it in prime condi-
ton for milling. In fact, sample of
previously smutted wheat, graded IRE
jected,' that had been washed, was
shown to good judges alongside of a sam
pie of No. l northern, and the rejected"
was unanimously voted the best, the
judgment being on merit alone, the
judges knowing nothing OF the history
of either sample; and this - uld be the
result in nearly every case, tor it is the
almost invariable rule that smut
ty wheat is otherwise strictly
prime article. The cost of the
process does not exceed half
cent per bushel, and is probably much
less; but that the cost, whatever it is, is
more than made up by the improved con-
dition of the treated wheat is revealed
by sequal.
1t was soon demonstrated that washing
wheat to remove smut, and the subse
quent treatment given it, put it in a bet
ter condition for milling than former
processes; it removed all grit and dirt
from the berry, made it's grinding easier
on the rolls, and simplified subsequent
processes of manufacture. So great were
the advantages and so small the cost in
relation to them, that all wheat in some
mills is now treated the same as smut
ted. and it will be done in all the mills
as soon as the necessary facilities can be
provided. The plain English of this is
that 1T is practically matter of indif-
ference to the miller whether wheat Is
smutted or not, but financially it makes
deal Of difference to him, and therefore
he is on the alert for smutted wheat, the
stencil Of which seems to offend his nose
but the price of which rejoices his sell
fish, worldly soul with exceeding great
joy!
Outside of the mills smutty wheat still
stands disgraced by miller and the state
inspection departments; it has not rights
that either is bound or disposed to re-
spect, is denied the poor privilege of be-
ing treated according to it's deserts or es-
timated according to it's merits. But
inside the sacred precincts of the mill
in secret chamber that none but the
elect are supposed to have access to, the
wicked and dishonest stuff is quickly
purged of its sins in the baptismal of
waters of greed. and it might also be
said, washed white as snow in the blood
OF it's producers!
Well what of it. after all? If the mill
ers havs made such discovery, have in
vested in machinery that nave thor, c,,cI,
rich returns, have they not the right to
them? Unquestionably they have the
hard. cold, heartless, commercial right.
and that is the ethical principle that gov
ems in such matters, and the principle is
acquiesced in by the people, therefore
why waste time or thought upon it. Elk
tortiOn has become "business:" plumber
from the poor is thinly gilded with char
lty 60 and is expected to pass current
in the final audit made before the great
white throne, and therefore extortion and
plumber have become virtues that it is
sin to denOunce.
But the attention to the state inspec-
ton department is called to this mater:
let it investigate and report upon it: and
when the truth is discovered. as it can
be, let 1T be given wide publicity. let
smutted wheat be no longer outlawed
and public opinion may force the paw
ment of price for it that law or con-
science will not. The desire to get smut
ted wheat, because of the splendid profit
there is in it, has created competition
that in it's turn has raised it's price to
within about five cents buShel of the
unsmutted, but even that is an amount
of plumber that wheat growers should be
exempt from