New-York tribune., 1906-11-04
GRAIN ST4NDARDIZATION
Department of Agriculture Estab-
Eshes Testing Stations.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The grain trade press and the trade OF the
country are no doubt more or less interested IN
and entitled TO word two In explanation or
the functions to be performed by the oh1ce TO
which 1 have recently been appointed In the bu-
reau OF plant industry. United States Department
of Agriculture. because OF the generous support
given to me during my service as chief grain IN
spector at Buffalo and in my several attempts to
better conditions In the matter Of the inspection
and grading Of grain in this country.
The history OF the movement for United states
standard grain grades. we'll for national c.
government grain inspection. which by the way.
are two widely different propositions. began sew
erai years ago. when complaints were made 70 our
foreign consuls of the quality and condition of
American grain arriving IN foreign ports, upon
which the foreign buyers lost heavily. These
shipments were all covered by certificates CT in
speetion marked Official" which at once con-
veyed TO the mind OF the receiver the conviction
that these certificates we're issued by the national
government. or at least sanctioned by II; hence
his complaints 10 representatives abroad par
ucuiarly In view of the fact that our government
was inspecting the meats entering into foreign
commerce. These complaints became more and
more frequent and persistent until finally Con-
gress ordered an investigation by the Department
of Agriculture. IL given into the charge OF
the bureau of plant industry This investigation
Drought forth mass OF evidence and infor!na-
uon' pro and con. that has duly impressed the au-
thorties of the department with the seriousness
ana Importance OF the question and. realizing that
9heir point Of view was purely scientific one. and
presented and represented, and that the honest in
sgriculture might be conserved, the department.
mas enlisted my service to assist In sitting the
Information and evidence and drawing a sane con-
cIuslon therefrom II has been determined that
slider the many points to the question step by step
ana with this end in view there have been estab-
testing for the s" pGTpese prnsgay
OF or testing and determining few of the principal
20 MI Fha
mereia nae grades Of corn. although the work is not
the grain trade at these two points to their credit
be j. said, have extended to this department a
in their markets and have unhesitati1SIy prom
ised their unqualified support and cooperation in
IKE laboratory is to be established in London.
~ fbis anu placed IN charge OF representa- tive
as as iar as possible shipments from this country
partmem expects during the coming season. TO 10
Determine under given conditions what corn is safe
long SEP in advance viii have been taken O toward
an an intelagent grading OF corn for export. AS the
two such laboratories could be established at our
corporation of the trade. the work can be extendsd
TO the larger Interior grain centres.
has resulted I'm the development Of an apparatus
for testing the moisture content of grain which in
larger Inspection departments. This apparatus is
SO ntea that one man will be able 10 handle and
10 5our s samples In seven and half hours, and will
&c par OF tne equlOment OF the grain testing lab
or.1torles. together with such other apparatus as
VIII be necessary. as I said before 10 ascertain
the simple and important factors OF the existing
grades, in order that when these are determined
the requirements OF the commercial grain grades
can be correlated and stated in definite terms SO
that. as far as possible differences in Judgment and
disputes may be settled by mechanical process
The moisture testing apparatus, l am sure, will
alone be OF great use to the shipper OF as vel
rs as 10 the miller OF the same. and TO me these
ia3oratories have great future, their possibilities
being almost unlimited One such laboratory viii
be equipped IN my office, and will be at sll times
glad TO furnish analyses of samples sent me by the
trade. Such samples should contain at least one
quart OF grain and should be packed and sent in
alrtlght receptacles, preferably in glass fruit Jars
with rubber gaskets. and addressed to the United
States Department of Agriculture, Grain Standard.
ization. Washington. JOHN d. SHANAHAN
Expert in Charge.