The Dickinson press., 1907-11-02
Supt. Waldron Replies to
the I" Northwestern
Miller'S" Article q nd
Gives Durum Wheat q
Good, Word
"TiE NEW SETTLERS MEASUR- NJ
ING STICK Of SUCCESS

People on the Semi-Arid
Plains of the West 3
A recent article in the Bismarck Tri-
bune, "The Pros and Cons of Durum
Wheat" evidently taken from the North
western Miller, indicates that the durum
wheat question will be a stock subject
for discussion for some time to come.
This is not to be wondered at since the
production of durum wheat has increased
by leaps and bounds from almost moth
ing to about 5o,ooo,o 900 bushels per year.
It is probable that the increase will con-
tinue for some time to come, although at
a less rapid rate. Peculiarly enough,
alongside of this rapid increase Of pro-
duction, there has been decrease in the
local use of durum wheat flour for bread
as such, since it first came into promi-
nence.
1t seems to be characteristic of the
American people to take up with a new
thing very enthusiastically and then soon
to forget the enthusiasm and often the
thing enthused about. In this case we
believe reaction will come about so that
the products of durum wheat will find
more favor in this country than they do
at the present time. When such a time
comes, possibly the American miller will
not have such tale of woe to tell for
then, perhaps, more of the durum prod
ucts will be used at home and also, per-
chance, his added wisdom will allow him
to grind durum wheat so we'll that his
English competitors will have a certain
amount of respect for the results. We
believe this is the first instance when
Yankee ingenuity allowed itself outdone
at the beginning of the contest. 1t is to
be hoped that all millers do not agree
with the views set forth by the North.
western Miller regarding this point.
Perhaps the most striking thing about
the article above referred to is its tyran-
nical attitude towards those not initiated
as millers. 1t is very unfortunate that
the writer of this article is SO beclouded
by the dust to see across the road to the
fields OF his near relative, the farmer, or
to the home of his nearer relative, the
citizen. 1t is quite likely that the Hon.
orable Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson,
Prof. Carleton and the corps of pseudo:
scientists and faddists thought little and
cared less about the possible effect that
the successful introduction of durum
wheat would have upon the export -four
trade to the United Kingdom. We
rather believe that they were thinking
more about the biblical injunction OF
making two blades of grass grow where
only one grew before. If the ranchers,
past and present, of the western Dakotas,
had an organ as ably edited as
that of the Northwestern Miller, we be.
lieve that it would come out even more
vehemently against Prof. Carleton and
the pseudo-scientists than has the paper
in question. 1t is reasonably certain that
durum wheat has been very instrumental
not only in injuring the trade of the
ranchers, but in many cases routing
them completely, so that they have moth.
ing now to do but live off their earlier
profits from free grass and free range.
/ 1t is certain that the accursed durum can
find no favor in the eyes of the rancher.
To put the case concretely, the sue.
cessful raising of wheat is the new set.
tiers measuring stick Of success. He is
not to grow wheat always, but if he can
not grow wheat at all except at a loss he
might as we'll move back east.
It is an undoubted fact that the intro.
duction of durum wheat has pushed
westward the western boundary Of sue.
cessful wheat growing and hence, also
the western boundary of successful farm.
ing. There are millions of fertile acres
yet untouched by the plow in the western
Dakotas, and if these areas are to be
farmed successfully by the small farmer
1t is necessary that there be sown
drought resistant grains.
We fondly believe that it is of fal
vaster importance that these unplowed
tracts be dotted by happy homes thar
that the export flour trade to the United
Kingdom be not logged bit.
The introduction of Russian durun
wheat was inevitable. 1t so happened
that the work fell upon the shoulders o.
Prof. Carleton. 1t is evident that tht
work did not require much advertising
after having been once introduced. rht
main regret is that it is being raised t.
some extent in districts too humid for it!
best development A matter Of this kline
will adjust itself in time.
| There is no doubt but that ,duruu
wheat is filling a place in American
husbandry that otherwise would be va
cant. 1t remains for the American peo
Iple to dispose Of the raw product to tn
best possible. advantage. There is n.
reason why the home production ant
consumption Of macaroniand other edi
bic pastes should not be immensely in
creased.
Regarding the making Of bread, it ha
| been proven that tht durum flour Is sue
cessful The French people, who under
stand quite well the preparation of food