Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-05-20
Northwest Wheak Grades.

Inc difference in the prices OF oval
ley and Walls Walla wheat has been
gradually shrinking until at the present
time the former grade rarely commands
over cent above Walla Walla. This
change is not due to = depreciation in
the value of Valley wheat, but to an ap-
probation in that of Walla Wslla, mod
ern milling machinery enabling mills to
handle the latter wheat to better adysnt-
age than formerly, and the European
markets taking more kindly to it than
they did several years ago. Valley
wheat had an established reputation in
the worlds markets many years before
Walis Walla or CLUB" was known be.
yond the confines of the northwest, but
now that both are equally we'll known
at home and abroad, the prices are draw
ing nearer together, to the advantage of
the product from east of the mountains,
and with no detriment to that of the
Valley, says the Orsgenian.
The Pacific Northwest il fortunate in
having a well-established market for
three grades of wheat--Walla Walla,
Valley and bluestem--and efforts to i'm
prove on these varieties have not met
with much success, for the reason that
such large proportion, OF the wheat of
this section 10 shipped to Europe instead
OF being ground into floor at home. The
European buyer does not hesitate to
handle q cargo of either of the grades
mentioned; for years of experience have
taught him exactly what they are, and
erch Of the middlemen Through which
the cargo passes before it reaches the
miller on the other side can sell the
cargo, knowing that it will turn out just
rs represented. The most serious en-
croachmeat that has been made on the
field of the Pacific Northwest's select
grades of wheat was by the Red Hun
gsrian wheat, which was planted in the
Valley about twenty years ago. In order
to secure foothold for it, some of the
mills paid a premium OF cents per
bushel, and nnder this fostering care the
output soon reached proportions which
exceeded tho demands Of the mills, leav-
ing the remainder to go into the export
market in competition with red wheat
from all ovcr the world, there being but
few localities where it is net produced.
In competition with so much wheat OF
q similar grade, the Oregon red wheat
naturally fell away in value as soon rs
1T sought market beyond the state, and
instead of commanding premium it
was obliged to accept a-dlscotlnI of ,sev-
eral cents per bushsl. Owing to the fact
that it is good yielder, and stands the
winter in good shape, it has retained the
100000 bushels of red wheat was pro-
ducod in Oregon and Washington in 1898.
The mills, of course, will take up most
of this, but all through the season strag-
Cling lots have been coming to the OK
porters, who have great difficulty in &C.
curing within to s cents per bushel as
much as teey receive for club Or Valley.
The European markets know all about
the re d wheat of India, Russia and Can
ada and the Middle Western states of
this country, but they know but little of
the red wheat of Oregon, and, from ap-
pearances, it would seem unwise to
abandon the grades which have made
Oregon famous for an inferior wheat
which will sell at discount even when
1T becomes fully known in the worlds
markets.
Experience has shown that Walls
Walla wheat planted in the Valley grad
uxlly softens and acquires the properties
of Valley wheat, and that Valley wheat
planted east Of the mountains hardens
and becomes similar to Wslla Walla
wheat. Both of these grades, together
with bluestsm, command much better
prices than the red wheat, and have es-
tsblished regulations, which could not
be secured by new grade in score OF
years. Until the milling business in the
northwest attains proportion where it
can convert all of the wheat produced
into -four, Oregon might do worse than
to continue growing the grades OF wheat
which are as we'll known in Liverpool as
they are in Portland.