The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-27
CORN TRADE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Argentine HeaIIes Used to the Detrf-
ment of the United States.

J. G. Stowe, the United States Consul
General al Cape Town, South Africa, has
sent to the State Department a copy OF
the following communication received
from a prominent resident of Cape Town
Has your attention been drawn TO the
fact that very large quantities of Argen-
tine meaIies maize, or CORN are import
ed here TO the exclusion of that bulk of
American grain? An importer tells me
that all the American mealies sent out
here consist of what is locally known as
horse tooth a kind for which there IS
little demand The Argentine meaIies re
feTTed to are what IS known in the United
States as dent corn or flint Of this
latter I do not feel sure. as the kernels
seem soft for typical flint But surely
the United States could furnish lust what
IS wanted, We're the requirements known
1 am told that the Argentine mealies
have some advantage in the price. They
however. are more or less weevilIy: often
very much so, and on this account require
rebagging and winnowing. The grain
from America is generally kiln dried and
clean Again, the trade here calls for
grain in bags weighing 200 pounds gross.
and the Argentine people are said TO pay
little attention in regard to the weight
200 pounds, just as it happens
Commenting on the communication, Mr..
Stowe says:
The letter speaks for itself, and l NAV
add that the corn raised in this country
resembles the Argentine corn III shape.
but IS slightly smaller. 1t is quite pala-
table when mixed with cold water. and is
principally used thus by the natives. Our
own Western corn prepared in similar
manner IS harsh and uneatable, for Meth
er hot nor cold water softens it.
The Argentine corn is preferred by
the natives next to African corn, al
though it is not so palatabIe As the gen
tenan above quoted says the Argentine
corn is soft and arrives here in bags
weighing more or less than the required
weight-z00 pounds Again. the Argentine
corn Is, owing to its softness. attacked by
Weevils- / recently examined cargo of
this corn. which arrived on an American
bark from the River Plata. and almost all
was destroyed by weeyiIs-
If corn, such as I have seen in the
Eastern States. could be shipped here
believe it would find a ready market At
all events, l would like to see examples
forwarded
Since writing the above. the represea-
tat:Fes of several importers Of corn. corn
meal and samp, have called on me, urg-
ing re to explain to the shippers in New
FORK the condition in which American
corn IS now arriving The corn shipped
in the steamships AIIerie. Clan Farquhar.
DunbIane, and Maristow is musty, and
the importers are suffering a loss II Is
supposed that the grain was allowed TO
get wet when it was being bagged. Com
paints 70 the export commission houses
IN New York city bring 10 redress
Again, it is said, the weight IS some
times short from twelve to fifteen pounds
IN zel-pound bags This should not be;
Tor. while from I to 2 per cent is allowed
fCT shrlnkage, the difference is too great
Admitting the truth of these state
rslentS-Which, later on will be substan-
ttated by aliIdayits-and with the fact
staring US In the face that the Argentine
Republic has just raised the largest crop
OF corn for many years, American ship
PerS should see to II that their grain is
put aboard ship dry and IN good condi-
ton; otherwise, loss of trade viii be The
penalty. Since the first of the year. over
- uJB bags OF corn have arrived very
Fair receipt