Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-11
"a MARVEL IN WHEAT"
Boosted as a Wonder, II Is Really a
Humbug.


Idaho farmer, while on prospecting
trip in the wilds Of Alaska several
years ago, are being circulated in
Mecklenburg county by the Adams
Hobe Seed Grain company Of Julia
eta, Idaho, for the purpose Of deceiv-
ing farmers into purchasing some OF
the seed "in limited quantities only,
payment strictly in advance, at $40 a
bushel." In view of the fact that this
new wheat is nothing more nor less
than a fake so far as doing what its
promoters claim for it, a warming is
given lest any one be deceived.
And the fake has been we'll adver-
tised
One Of the most talked-of and wide
ly copied articles that has appeared in
the Saturday Evening Post of recent
years, was that few weeks ago enti-
tied, "A Marvel in Wheat" which was
a fulsome account of the revolution
which this new Alaska type would
shortly bring about in the wheat-gro
Gle appearing in such a reputable pub
lication and having the evident back
ing of such responsible parties, created
no end Of talk particularly among those
interested in the wheat-growing busi-
ness. The article was reproduced in a
large number of substantial farm pa
pers and the fame of the new Alaska
wheat was blazoned from one end OF
the country to the other.
Mr.. Moore investigates.
Mr.. Edgar B. Moore, manager of
the Selwyn hotel, of this city, and
proprietor of the we'll known Selwyn
farm, was one of the first men to read
this article in the Saturday Evening
Post. He was much impressed with 1t,
being something Of an expert in wheat
himself and yet was too good farmer
TO accept all the statements contained
therein without thorough investiga-
ton. His first step was to write to
the editors of The Post and ask them
what they knew of the new wheat and
its discoverer Their reply follows:
Editorial Rooms,
The Saturday Evening Post,
Curtis Publishing Company
Mr.. E. B. Moore, Charlotte, n. c.
Dear Sir-Mr. Days article was ac-
cepted and printed during the alb
sence of the editor of The Saturday
Evening Post on his vacation; and
without, he feels, sufficient investiga-
ton of the facts to warrant its pub
lication. He is consequently sending
an expert west today to investigate
the matter carefully, and should the
result confirm Mr.. Days statements,
we shall be glad to send you full par
ticulars.
Yours very truly,
The Editors.
In the course of a week or two the
report of this expert was received.
In a word it shows that the article in
question was a gross eXaggeration and
the statements given therein, which
woefully overdrawn. The following is
the report which was wired in to the
editors:
The Experts Report.
Assertions Of huge crops or good
-four making quality not justified.
Adams only claim Of proportion of
two hundred bushels an acre is with
an eighth of an acre patch two years
ago. For last year admits farm aver
age only thirty bushels. So far this
year only twenty-five to thirtyfive an
acre. Offers excuses such as weeds
and underground. Not true that wheat
has been successfully grown elsewhere.
Misleading to say frost-proof for ad-
mits some injury by snow. Flour
making qualities unknown. Adams was
given experiment station analysis last
year and told with it that milling test
was necessary to show the quality
with certainty. Has not had the test.
The wheat in appearance is much like
certain large course wheats not valua-
BILE for -four"
Not satisfied with his letter Of in
quiry to the editors of the Saturday
Evening Post, Mr. Moore wrote to the
Minneapolis Chamber Of Commerce,
the great flour centre Of the country,
asking for information regarding the
new Alaska variety. The reply which
he received was to the effect that no
such wheat had come into the hands
of the Minnesota dealers, and conse-
quently nothing could be said Of it.
The Fake Disclosed.
And then hard and fast upon the
heels of this came through the mails
to various parties in the city and coun-
ty the following circular from the
Adams Hobe Seen Grain company, of
Juliaetta, Idaho. self-styled "the origi-
nators and producers of Alaska wheat y
boosting the wonders Of'this marvellous
variety of cereal which has, so the cir
cular reads, "a producing quality al
most unbelievable, running from 100 to
222 bushels to the acre according to
the soil" Continues the circular:
Don't waste time! Start your fields
to bring you big money. Thirty mil
lion of acres are waiting for Alaska
wheat seed and it will take some time
to supply it. For three years at least
Alaska wheat will be scarce. SO it is
advisable to get your farm started at
once.
THE world will be supplied by the
originator himself a limited supply
only, to go to one farm at $40 BUSH
el at Juliaetta, Idaho"
Cash With the Order.
And then follows the specific in
structions as to ordering. Having
aroused the ardor of the prospective
customer by glowing accounts Of man.
moth yields, and impending riches, he
is directed to observe that remit
tance must accompany order" other
wise there will be nothing doing.
These circulars are being scattered all
over the country and numbers of them
are coming to Mecklenburg farmers.
Should they desire to divorce them
selves of a little coin no easier manner
can be suggested than to follow the di-
rections of the promoters Of Alaska
wheat.
Then follows an account Of the birth