Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-08-02
THE NEW WHEAT
STANDARDS AND
THEIR APPLICATION
tBy George Livingston in charge
Federal Grain Supervision.

The far-reaching influence of the
wheat standards and their applica-
ton was called directly to the atten-
! ton of the entire grain industry
when, on August 80, 1917, the Presi-
dent publicly announced his adoption
Of the price for wheat recommended
| by the Fair Price Committee. This
| price was based upon No. | Northern
Spring of the federal standards.
Since that time many people have
given serious consideration to the
question of wheat standards in gen
eral, and to the official standards
which became effective on July 1 for
winter wheat and on August /, 1917,
for spring wheat. So many varying
opinions and convictions concerning
the official standards we're presented
10 the department that steps were
taken to provide an opportunity for
all interested persons TO present their
opinions and communications with
d view of revising the standards. if
necessary, to meet more fully the
needs OF the country.
Evidence Considered in Revising
Standards
A most careful and painstakine
consideration by the Department OF
Agriculture of all available evidence
relating TO the subject of wheat
standards resulted in the revised
standards which were promulgated
April -. and which become effective
July Is, 1918. This evidence may be
grouped into three classes, namely:
Facts collected by the department
during 10 years of Investigation OF
all phases of the subject, evidence de-
veloped from the past years expert
ence in supervising the application of
the official standards and evidence
presented by mail and at some 20
public hearings held throughout the
United States.
The facts collected by the depart
ment during the 10 years OF SYSTEM
attic study Of the 3ubject of wheat
grading cover every step in the mar
kcting of wheat from the time it
leaves the wheat field until it reaches
the consumer. These facts resulted
from an examination Of a large num-
Der of samples samples collected
from the threshins machine, from
the ear upon its ;rriyal at the central
market, samples taken before and af-
ter grain had p~ssed through ter
minal elevators and mixing houses;
samples taken from tie grain rs it
arrived at the mill and from the mill
stream on its way to the rolls Gam
pies taken as tho grain went aboard
vessels at seaboac3 markets and as it
was discharged from the vessels in
foreign ports. Upon Information OBJ
tanned by examination Of thousands
of such samples representing, as they
do, wheat at every Stage of market
ing supplemented by personal study
Of the inspection procedure in the
principal markets Of the United
States, the dapar mcnt based the
present standards Tor wi-eat 1t IS
apparent, therefore, that in securing
tho information u,o, ,,,biob Tho
! standards were based 70 single inter
est has been favored OF the expense
of any other.
The past years experience in SUI
peryising the application of these
standards in all parts of the United
States, in the course of which thou
sands of samples have been given
careful study. has resulted in addi-
tional information on the subject of
wheat grading and suggested a mum
Der of desirable changes which have
been incorporated in the amended
standards.
Consideration of the suggestions
and recommendation received by the
| department through the mails and at
public hearings reveals a wide divers
ity of opinion with respect to what
are desirable wheat standards
The recomm endations ranged from
standards with grade requirements
so lenient as to permit from 50 to
80 per cent of a normal crop to meet
the requirements of grade No. |, to
| standards with severe grade REQUIRE
ments involving numerous special
and refined limitations, which would
permit only a very small portion of
the crop in the first grade. A most
careful and impartial study of all
/ recommendations received. having in
mind the needs and desires of the en-
tire country. indicated without ques-
tion of doubt that the grain industry
as a whole desired standards which