The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-11-01
STANDARD GRAIN
IS NOW ASSURED
Tests Are Applied From Country
Elevators to Holds of Trans
atlantic Liners.
BEST WHEAT GIVEN PREMIUM
Department Of Agriculture Has Made
Study Of Marketing and Grading
Practiees--War Necessitated
Some Changes.

From country elevators to the hold
of transatlantic liner wheat and
corn destined for the army and the al
Hes and almost all of that arriving at
mills and terminal markets is handled
ON grades fixed and applied under
federal supervision. The inspection of
wheat and shelled corn is under the
direction Of the United States depart
ment OF agriculture, with licensed in
spectors located at small markets, ter
minals or at the seaboard and the
standards in use are the same at all in
spection points. Before federal grades
were In effect there was little uni
formity Ia grain standards at the diff
ferent markets such as now exists
throughout the United States.
In the past grain was often graded
at country points on the basis of an
average for the crop which placed the
best grain in lower grades than 1t de-
served. Now grower of the best
wheat receives premium, even under
fixed prices. for his extra care In pro-
tiuclng It. Thus federal standards pro-
vide premium grades for grain of SUI
perior quality.
How Grades Were Made.
Before the passage OF the United
States grain standards act complaints
were received from foreign buyers and
buyers of grain located outside the
graln-producing sections of the United
States, stating that grain purchased
frequently did not conform to the
grade specifications for which their
contracts called. For over ten years
the department of agriculture has
made study of grain marketing and
grain grading practices throughout
| the United States and in foreign trade,
obtained samples OF many shipments,
and devised apparatus for the me
| ehanlcal determination of grading fac
tors. Before the official grain stand
ards were adopted they were submitted
10 representatives of producers and to
tire grain trade for suggestions and
criticisms. and the standards We're de
eided upon after all phases Of market
ing were considered so that no single
| interest would be favored ut the ex'
pense Of any other interest.
Grades Revised for Wheat.
i Because Of the abnormal conditions
In the grain trade, due to the war anC
the resulting fixed prices for wheat
certain changes In wheat grades Were
suggested. A series OF five hearings
were held during March OF this yea'
10 receive suggestions from interested
persons ON the proposed revision q
me official standards for wheat. Gu
81 these hearings and the praetica
experience in supervising the apnstca
ton of the standards The grades wer'
revised 10 have effect July Ia l9is
The changes were all IN the nature Q
percentage Of grains other than wheat
increase in the amount 0f foreigI
material present within each grade
and minor changes in definitions o
classes aud grades. Increased percent
ages of moisture were allowed In seN
eral grades, reduction in test weigh
per bushel was made in some IN
/ stances. and more damaged and heai
damaged kernels allowed in som
grades.
How Grades Are Applied.
The bureau OF markets of the d.
partment of agriculture now mail
taIns 35 local Offices at the principi
grain markets TO supervise the gra'