The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-05-26
GRAIN SACKS
ARE GOING UP
Plans for Shipping Grain in
Bulk Discussed

The wheat farmers OF the PaclIlc
Northwest are taking hold of the ques-
tion of shipping grain in bulk and
a large number of them are making
preparations to do away with sacks
this season.
The high price Of grain sacks and
the sack shortage is one Of the prin-
cipal things that is stirring them to
action There has not been wheat
convention held for the last 10 years
but what the bulk grain question is
one that has been discussed But not
until now has there been anything
like a constructive action in grain
districts to go onto a bulk grain basis
for handling this years crop.
A number of methods for handling
grain in bulk have been suggested.
The universal plan that eventually is
sure to be adopted, we believe, is the
portable granary. This will mean gra-
naries holding from 800 to 1900 bu-
shells of grain, running in price from
$50 to S100, depending upon size and
style. The grain then can be run from
the grain separator directly into these
granaries. Here is a saving in doing
away with two high-priced men at
threshing time. The farmers grain is
then out of danger, SO far as the
weather is concerned, and he can
haul it to market to suit his own
convenience, delivering it at time
when labor is much cheaper and the
farm help has little else to do. The
farmer will find it much cheaper in
hauling his grain to market than
when it is first threshed, for at thresh-
ing time his teams are badly needed
in keeping the Summer fallow clean
and preparing the land for Fall seed
ing.
Then again, the present method OF
rushing the grain to market as soon
as it is threshed results in blocking
transportation and the handling OF
the grain at terminals. And anyone
who has had experience knows that
a large slump in price always follows
one of these blockades.
Grain in sacks requires a small
army of men to handle it, both in the
starting of the shipment and at the
terminal The weighing and inspect
ing of bulk grain is much easier and
will not cost as much as sacked grain.
At the present time bulked grain is
docked and the dock is usually about
the price of secondhand sack. Then
by bulk system the grain is not so
hard to handle, because it can be done
largely by the use of machinery,
while sacked grain is usually handled
by hand, except when it is piled in
large quantities.
Of course It will be necessary to
expend some money in the beginning
to equip the wheat farm for bulk
grain, but the investment is per-
manent one, while an investment in |
grain sacks is not; and the differ |
ence in cost covering a period OF
years is above SO per cent in favor OF
bulk handling of grain. By having |
the grain run into granaries on the
farm the farmer can turn his stock
into the stubble field, so that he can
fully realize the benefit Of the pas.
ture and waste that they will pick up. |
The sack dealers, will, of course,
die hard, and right now are clrculat-
ing the report that bulk handling OF
grain has been abandoned this year
There is method in this rumor, be-
cause they have sacks to sell and at
prices that are prohibitive. Now is
the time for the grain farmers to /
stand together and get onto the best
and most economical plan of bulk
grain storing and shipping. In the
next 60 days is when the farmer can
best prepare to take care Of his
crop. He should tudy the best and
most feasible plan for handling his
crop and get away from the sack
method Western Farmer.