St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-23

Minneapolis and Duluth at from one to-
three and one-half cents below the
value of that grade, according to the
extent of smut
The cost of treating such wheat by
the process referred to varies according
to best adviceS obtainable from three
quarters of a cent per bushel, on the
least affected grain, to two and one
half cents on that which contains a
large percentage of smut, and is badly
tainted. While it is evident that the
Northwestern miller absorbs a good
profit from his investment in the wash
ing apparatus, it il also plain that
the seller of the grain realizes much
nearer the relative value of such grail:
than ever before. With the general
adoption in the large Mills throughout
the country, and the consequent in
creased competition and demand, the
margin of difference will necessarily
narrow still farther
AS matter of fact, however, Smutty
wheat is not at all acceptable to East
ern buyers or millerS, and they decline
to use it at any price, SO that at the
present time the market for this class
of grain is practically confined to the
Northwestern mills. Minneapolis alb
serbs by far the greater portion, while
Duluth and Superior take what their
own millers are disposed to use Very
little wheat below the No. 2 northern
grade is exported from Duluth as
Eastern buyers do not attempt to COM
pete with the Northwestern millers for
the smutty grain with Ehich the lower
grades abound. Out of nearly 20. 900
900 bushels of wheat shipped from Du-
luth on the present crop, up to the
close of navigation only $4,000 bushels
of wheat grading below No 2 northern
found it's way East
1t has been the aim and policy of the
state inspection department to adjust
Its standards to new and changing con-
dItIons, as far as safe and reasonable.
and particularly to inspect this class
Of grain on a basis which would in
sure justice to it's producers, without
debasing standards, and creating dis
trust in Eastern markets. All wheat
exported from Duluth is sold on the
basis of Minnesota inspection. The
relative values established by the East
ern buyer on Minnesota No. l hard.
No. l northern and No. northern are
determined by the relative character of
the grades or standards which he is
to receive. To lower the standards of
the higher grades by the introduction
Of smutty or damaged wheat would re-
suit in the general lowering of the val
ues of those grades, with injustice and
severe loss to those who by careful.
palnStaking methads have produced
clean, sound, unblemished grain I'm
der our standards the present season,
the wheat affected only by smut bl1t
otherwise free from damage has been
carried largely in the No. northern
and No. 3 grades, whereas in former
years 1t had been classed as No. 3.
rejected or no grade
While the new process of treating
smutty wheat is of great Importance
and a valuable adjunct to the modern
milling equipment, it is of no practical
use in the large terminal elevators.
where the bulk of the crop is handled.
cleaned and prepared for the market.
The treatment can only be applied to
grain which is to be immediately mill
ed, and not to grain intended for stor-
age. AS before stated, the "whizzer"
simply removes the surplus moisture.
leaving the grain conditioned for mill
ing. 1t is not claimed or assumed, by
the owners, that the machine will ac-
complish anything farther in the drying
process. No machinery, capable of dry
ing wet grain in a rapid, inexpensive
manner, so as to make it safe for stor-
age, seems to have yet been brought
out The steam dryer was introduced
in one or two of the terminal houses.
some years since, but their use has
since been abandoned as irnpracticable.
OHiilS " Lie SACCSlNC COSl VI operating,
and the decreased commercial value of
the grain by the deterioration in weight
and quality.
1t seems conclusive from these facts
that for time, at least, the prices
paid for smutty grain in the Northwest,
will almost wholly depend upon the ca
prices or disposition of the few who
are In position to make profitable use
OF it. On the face of it, it is natural
to conclude that the miller would he
glad to encourage its production for the
apparent profit there is in it, However
that may be, it would seem to be in the