The Saint Paul globe., 1898-08-16
The Storage of Wheat.

Inc storage OF w neat.
The season of the year is present
when the farmer desires to market his
grain either in small or large quanti-
ties. The standard elevator, which
represents either some great system
CT the Individual of larger growth, has
long been recognized as the place of de-
posit for the contributions which the
farmers have had to make OF their
harvests in the past. The elevator OF
itself is a very interesting object en-
the landscape. in any town which the
ordinary traveller approaches. But
there is more silent and economical
way of storing wheat in grain ware
houses which has grown UP in the
Northwest The American Elevator
and Grain Trade calls attention to one
Of these particular warehouses, the di-
mensions Of which are 30X60 feet in the
floor, 16 feet high, With capacity Of
about $4,000 bushels. Such ain elevator
affords ample storage for the farmer
who wants to carry his product to the
railway station in small lots, waiting
for the possible advance in price that
may come along during the colder
months of the year. These institutions
are conducted on an inexpensive scale,
and the hire for space is not excessive.
In South Dakota these storage ware
houses have proved very successful.
Another thing, in connection with the
shipment of grain, is the absolute
loss from the wastage of grain through
cars that are not fit to be in the serv-
ice. Why should a farmer be required
to load his wheat in a car through the
cracks of which should seep. from the
point of consignment to the point of
delivery, several bushels Of grain?
Nothing can be gained by the railway
company by such a process Of trans
portation. They should be required to
furnish cars that oo not possess a sin
gle leak. Every grain of wheat Is
of value both to the shipper and to the
transporter. This feature Is one which
has often been reverted to. but the rail-
way companies have absolutely refused
to pay any attention to the reasonable
demands for cars SO compaotly con-
structed that not a single grain Of
wheat could escape. The American Ell
evator and Grain Trade, to which ref
ed attention in a very substantial way
to the needs of reform in this connec-
ton. "A great many of the large cars
are so lined inside" says the journal
mentioned, that quite a lot of grain
will work between the weather board
ing and the side of the car; and unless
the parties who unload the cars are
very careful to see that this is all re-
moved, there would be a loss in this
direction The writer has seen quite a
| number of cars that have been unload
ed. and he feels sure that there was
at least five bushels Of grain left in the
cars"
Now this loss is apparent to every
one who is obliged to ship grain; and
it is quite unnecessary, if proper pre-
| cautions are taken, firstly, by the rail
way companies who supply the cars.
and secondly, by the shippers, who
ought to insist upon the supply of
proper vessels in which to forward
their merchandise to market
1t is a small matter either way, and
yet it is very important matter, and
one that should command the atten-
tion not only of the shipper, but the
producer, inasmuch as both are inter
ested in the outcome and value re-
ceived
The Idea of a small warehouse sys-
tenn in the Northwest, for the
gathering in of wheat at the end of the
harvest, is one that ought to receive
| general attention. The farmer ordina-
| rily has a hard row to hoe. He must
| stand squarely UP against the elements
| of nature, in the line Of storm of al
| most every kind. When he reaches the
| harvest time his hands are full, and
| when he gathers his crop he should be
! provided with a convenient place of
| safe deposit for it. These smaller
warehouses Of the Northwest provide
these means of storage. They are in
| expensive in their construction and
| conduct they are profitably carried on
| by those who are identified with such
| enterprises, and they are of great value
TO the producer in the long rum
At Pago-Pago, in the Samoan group. this
government will give an early definition of
what an American coaling station should be
Piers. sheds and loading appliances are need
| ed. and plans have been called for with
rapidly possible
The work will be given to San Francisco
firms in order to facilitate the beginning of
operations with the least delay, and shin
| loaded with steel spiles, machinery and an
piances for completing the station will sail
just as soon as they can be got on board.
The specifications and plans were finished
last week by the bureau of yards and docks
ana as a survey was made several years ago
/ Tor the ste, the government will accept this
| ana the department expects to have the sta.
uon IN readiness for Use within six months
from the time the operations begin. The
pier will be located where there will be a
depth OF not less than thirty-fiye feet at moan
low water and in a well protected barhor
Tree from the influences of the surf and nre,
senting safe anchorage for warsbins in tn.
heaviest winds that blow in that region The
! provisions for loading the ships VIII ba tbo
most complete adopted by the navy at any
OF its home ports, and it's accommodations for
coal Will be equal to about 10, 600 tons. I'm.
mediately on the station being established
large consignments of coal will be Skinned
from this country for the use of naval shin.
touching at Samoa and for reshipment if
necessary, to vessels of the Asiatic station
Ihe right to establish such a station was con-
ceoed to this country some time ago What
pity we had not contented ourselves with I.
similar right granted us in Hawaii.