The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-02-25
The RIeaching of Flour.

The bleaching of flour by the use OF
Nitrous acid is now being investigated
~ DR.. Wiley, chief of the chemical
division Of the Federal Agricultural
Department, and there is every reason
o believe that his finding will be In
ccOrdance with truth and justice. The
niIlers who have been in the habit
If bleaching inferior grades of -four
ire particularly excited, but the house
wife who has learned that the absorp-
i've and expansive powers Of the gluten
re decreased, the bread makes a small
sr loaf after being bleached and that
he presence of nitrous acid in the -four
rot only gives the bread decided odOr
md taste, but makes it harmful physiO-
ocically, will uphold the investigation.
This bleaching process came in the
irst place. it is stated, because house
keepers demanded a dead white in
place of creamy white flour and loaf.
Now it has been proved that it takes
he life from the -four. and that the
)nsy one who reaps any benefit from
he process is the merry miller.
State Drainage Work.
The University of Wisconsin depart
nent of soils has recently been assist
ng in the organization of drainage dis
riots at number Of points in the
State, including Black Greek and Shoe
.on, west of Green Bay in Outagamie
county, where from 1900 to $500
acres can be drained by the straighten-
ne and deepening of Black Creek. This
will also give the City of Seymour an
outlet for sewage purposes, if the city
leems it advisable TO enter the district.
Professor A. K. Whitson. in charge Of
he plan. in reviewing the work. points
out the fact that this land is largely
alluvial soil, and thus will be much
more fertile than the average marsh
soil. If drained. il will lie adapted TO
,orn and hay, especially to alsike and
timothy, and the better portions will
raise grain.
Another district in which much inter
,st Is shown is in Southeastern WiscOn-
sin along the KoshkOnong River. where
thousands of acres are undrained be-
,ause of the sluggishness of KOshko-
loLc Creek. This will probably include
Creek. and the reclamation of from
LOCO TO 5000 acres. The Rattlesnake
district is also in process of organiya-
ion, to drain an additional 5000 or
LOCO acres by a main canal entering
he KoshkonOng at the point where
he other canal begins. Between Edger-
ton and Stoughton Il similar district Is
being organized.
1T is encouraging to see the inter
EST that is being taken very recently
in the drainage of these lands" says
Professor WhitsOn. Eve have approx.
lmately two-thirds of a million acres
Of them in the southern part of the
State. Drainage is not limited to that
section, however. During the past sum
mer the department Of soils found a
considerable tract of land in Pierce
County seriously in need of Drainage
which need had not been recognized
Cooperation for drainage purposes
IS absolutely necessary, and it is al
ways serious matter TO get all thai
ire included in region needing drain
lge interested in the organization OF q
district. The legal processes involved
ire also rather long. The department
aids rs much as possible in this work
~ making preliminary surveys and Pre-
pairing plans for drainage with eati
mates of possible cost and of the "a
sessment of benefits ON the diftersn
farms, so that each farmer may kn3a
very closely what it will cost him il /:
district is actually organized"