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

J. G. Stowe, the United States Consul
General at 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 ATgen-
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 q kind for which there is
little demand The Argentine meaIies re
ferred to are what Is known in the United
States as dent corn or flint of this
latter L do not feel sure as the kernels
seem soft for typical flint But surely
the United States could furnish just what
is wanted, We're the requirements known.
I am told that the Argentine meaIies
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
put in bag, sending more or less than
200 pounds, just as it happens
Commenting on the communication. Mr.
Stowe says:
The letter speaks for itself, and 1 may
add that the corn raised in this country
resembles the Argentine corn in 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
eT hot nor cold water softens it
The Argentine corn is preferred by
the natives next to African corn. al
though it is not so palatable As the gen
ueman above quoted says. the Argentine
corn is soft and arrives here in bags
weighing more or less than the required
weight-200 pounds Again, the Argentine
corn is, owing to its softness, attacked by
weeviIs- recently examined a cargo Of
this corn, which arrived on an American
bark from the River Plata, and almost all
was destroyed by weevils.
If corn, such as ] have seen in the
Eastern States. could be shipped here. /
believe il would find 4 ready market At
all events. l would ike 10 see examples
forwarded
Since writing the above. the represen-
tatIYeS OF several importers Of corn, corn
meal, and samp. have called on me, urg-
Ing ne to explain to the shippers In New
York the condition in which American
corn IS now arriving. The corn shipped
in the steamships AIierie. Clan Farquhar.
Dunblane, and MaTiStow. is musty- and
the importers are suffering a loss It is
supposed that the grain was allowed to
get wet when it was being bagged- Com
plants TO 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 zD1-PoUnd bags This should not be-
for. while from I TO = Per cent is allowed
Tor shTInkage, the difference is too great.
Admitting the truth of these state
nlehts-wilich. later on. will be substan-
Jiated by afiIdaTits-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 shin
pes should see to it 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
- e9 bags of corn have arriVed-a very
fair recent -