The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-19

Europe is out of the question as far
as the average wheat raiser is con-
cerned The state. however, could i'm
port the grain in quantities by adVanc-
ing the necessary money and in turn
the grain could be sold to the farmers
of the state.
While in the city Senator Hunter pre-
sented his plan to Secretary Coburn
and a number of others who are inter-
ested in bettering the quality of the
grain raised in the state Secretary Co
burn is enthusiastic in his endorsement
of the plan proposed and feels that the
adoption of such course will be an
almost inestimable advantage to the
farmers of the state.
Several years ago the millers of the
state realizing that the quality of
wheat raised in the state was steadily
deteriorating in quality, arranged for
the Importation of a cargo of wheat
direct from Russia. A buyer was sent
to Russia who carefully selected the
cargo which was shipped to Kansas and
sold to the farmers at $3.50 per buShel.
The new seed worked wonders and
the wheat yield was greatly increased
as was the quality of the grain. TWO
years ago Secretary Coburn recon-
mended an appropriation by the state
for the importation of seed wheat. 1t
died for the reason that its Importance
was not impressed upon the law max
ers who were busy with less important
legislation In talking of his prOpoS-
ed plan Senator Hunter said:
Minnesota fife wheat has been made
to bring a premium of from to 10
cents a bushel over all other wheat in
the markets of the world by the same
sort of seed renewal and wheat breed
ing that my plan contemplates
would like to see the reputation of
Kansas Turkey wheat as firmly estab-
lished the reputation of Minnesota
fife. I know it can be done .
II have not worked out all of the de-
tails of the plan. In general way 1
think we should import perhaps $4,000
worth of wheat from Russia each year
and as much from Alberta. This wheat
should then be put out with farmers in
each county to be sown and cultured,
and to be paid for at the end of the
crop season in wheat raised from the
seed. l think the farmer who gets the
seed should pay perhaps four bushels
for one, but that is a matter of detail
of which 1 am not decided.
''It has been demonstrated that our
own wheat sent to Alberta and sowed
will produce more and better wheat
there than it does here. Then when
the wheat raised in Alberta from KAN
sas seed is sent back to Kansas and
sowed it will produce more and better
grain than did the old wheat here
think that the impOrtations / have
suggested from Russia and Alberta
each year will keep the state well sup
piled with excellent seed all the time
and immeasurably benefit the wheat
growers and millers of the state. The
millers would be able to make better
flour from Kansas wheat; they would
also be able to pay the growers more
for Kansas wheat. just as the Mime
sofa millers pay more for Minnesota
fife.
"I have already taken the matter up
with some of our railroads and they
assure me that they will be willing to
transport this seed wheat freight free
That will make it much cheaper. 1
also contemplate having the Kansas
members of. congress try to secure the
insertion of a provision in the new
tariff bill admitting wheat for seed
duty free. Horses for breeding pur-
poses are now exempt from tariff
duty Why shouldn't seed wheat be
admitted free?
1.-The matter of providing machinery
for the handling of the seed wheat by
the state is one of the most imports ant
details and 1 have not yet arrived at
a definite conclusion as to the best
way to handle it. / contemplate the
creation either of a commission to
handle it or the appointment of COM
missioner working either under Secre-
tary Coburn or the director of the ex-
pertinent station at the State Agricul-
tural college,