The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-08-02
Improving the Milling Value of Idaho
Wheat.

Wheat.
A review of observations made in
field and mill, and of the analytical
and baking data recorded in Bulletin
No. II recently issued by the Depart
ment of Chemistry of the Idaho Elk
pertinent Station. justiies definite con-
illusions regarding the milling value of
Idaho-grown wheat. At the same
time it suggests the course of action
that must be adopted by wheat grow
ers, if decided improvement in quality
of grain for milling purposes is to be
made.
The first essential of good milling
wheat is a percentage of portein suffl-
GENTLY great to insure an adequate
amount of gulten in the -four milled
from it; for there is percentage OF
gulten below which a -four cannot
safely go and still be entitled to re-
ceive rating as first-class bread-mak-
ing -four. High, medium or low
protein wheat is essentially variety
characteristic, most sharply emphasize
ed where several varieties are given
during growth, identical conditions of
soil and climate. As the protein con-
tent of -four depends directly upon
richness in portein of wheat from
which it was milled, the importance of
growing only those varieties which
have demonstrated their ability to
produce -four of satisfactory protein
content is apparent. 1t is, perhape
not-necessary to attempt to fix for the
many varieties of wheat now grown
in Idaho the minimum amount of
protein they may contain and still
receive satisfactory rating as milling
wheats; for it has been shown that
a sharp line of distinction between
varieties on the basis of their protein
content is not always apparent. Never
theless, by the data referred to, two
facts have been fairly we'll established;
(D Several we'll known varieties
now extensively grown in certain To-
calities of the state, at present are in
capable of producing -four that can
with safety be relied upon to meet the
minimum requirement for portein
specified by the United Standard for
-four. No matter how they may be re-
garded at home, and notwithstanding
more or less frequent exceptions, when
they are judged rigidly by the stand
ards which prevail in large wheat and
-four centers, as they must be when
it is plain that such varieties
as Canadian Hybrid. Eden, Indian,
Jenkins Club, Little Club, Red Rus
sian, Silver Chat, and White Winter
Oregon, can be given only low or in
different rating for -four making pur-
poses.
(2) Several other we'll known vari-
cites, at present not so extensively
grown as they might be, while perhaps
not equally capable of meeting the
most rigid requirements for milling
wheat and -four centers, can be relied
upon to produce -four decidedly richer
in protein than the minimum require |
ment of the United States Standard.
Such varieties as Bluestem, Colorado |
No. so, Defiance, Gold Coin, Minneso-
ia l63and l6o (Saskatchewana Fife |
and Bluestem), State College Hybrid !
No. l43. Red Chaff Club, Sonora, and
Turkey Red, yielding as they do -four
that is eminently satisfactory in every
respect at home, should, when export
ed. be given decidedly higher rating !
than the first mentioned varieties.
The predominance, in North Idaho !
particularly, of several of the varieties |
which were mentioned as of Indifferent |
value for -four making purposes is we'll |
known among wheat growers and mil |
lers. 1t is evident that only the con-
certed action of wheat growers in Sc
lecting and adhering to varieties of un-
questioned merit for -four making pur-
poses, backed by the substantial sup
port of millers and shippers, can sub
stantially increase the milling value of |
the crop as a whole
J. S. JONES. Chemist. !