The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1920-03-19


Grading Under the Federal Stand
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Hanging in one of the rooms occu-
pied by the main office of the bu-
reau of markets, United States depart
ment of agriculture, in Washington, is
a map showing an important phase of
the governments work in interesting
grain growers, dealers and millers in
grain grading. The map is dotted
with many colored pins, indicating
towns and villages, scattered north,
south, east and west, where this truth
has been emphasized in connection
with grain-grading demonstrations,
given by representative of the bureau.
The map is an epitome Of the grain
experts work in spreading the gospel
Of grain grading.
Grading Made Understandable.
1t is not easy to explain grain grad
ing If one attempts it without samples
or apparatus, but with the equipment
included in travelling exhibits sent out
by the department it is much simpler
matter. With the help of information
given by the demonstrators a farmer
familiar with grain can soon learn to
grade his own crop satisfactorily.
Prior to the establishment of fed
eral grades, growers and interior buy
ers knew little Of the various methods
and interpretations of different local
grades at the grain terminals. Under
federal standards the government
shows how the grading is done accord
ing to definite rules of one national
standard, so that the farmer and in
terror dealer have access to the same
knowledge of grain grading as was for
merly had by the terminal dealer. The
exhibits are designed to show the cor
rect methods of applying the federal
grades for oats, wheat and shelled
corn. The apparatus displayed in
cludes a moisture tester, scales for
weighing samples and separations, a
test weight-per-bushel device, a $50
so" separating device, sleeves and a
Wildcat 'kicker."
To visitors interested in learning
how samples of grain from car OF
bin are secured which are truly repre-
sentative, it is explained that a
sampler makes probes In five or more
different parts of a car with tubelike
instrument containing ten compart-
ments. With this he secures grain
from various depths of the load. The
contents of each probe is emptied upon
a sampling cloth and examined for
odor, temperature and condition. A
portion of the sample is put in an air
tight can and the remainder in cloth
bag. These two lots are then brought
to the inspection office for examina-
ton, testing and grading.
But, the visitor objects such sam
pies are too large for testing and for
detailed examination of the kernels
That is true. That is just the reason
for the "50-50' machine, the demon
strator explains. The sample from the
bag is poured into the hopper at the
top of this two-spouted cylindrical ma
chine and cone-shaped battle, located
! lust below the outlet of the hopper,
causes the grain to spread evenly over
its surface. At it's base are series OF
ducts. each alternate duct flowing into
one of the spouts below, which &C.
curately divides the sample in half so
that one portion of it will grade eX-
actly the same as the other Five or
six divisions of the sample are made
In this way tc reduce the portion to
be examined from about Az pounds to
from ore to nine ounces, depending on
the test to be made. This enables the
inspector to analyze the sample rap
idly. Part of the loose sample is put
through the test weight-per-bushel ma
chine. The value of this device lies in
the fact that with all samples weighed
the kettle is filed under uniform con-
ditions The sample falls just two
inches from hopper to the quart ket-
tie. passing through an opening IA
inches in diameter.
Use Of Type Trays.
When the examination Of the indl-
vidual kernels is undertaken the in
quirer at the exhibit sees the value OF
the glass-covered type trays to the
demonstration. If corn is being ex-
amined the demonstration picks up a
tray showing kernels that serve as
| tvpes to determine whether sample
/ classes as "white," "yelow" or
mixed" Another group of kernels
shows various types of damaged ker-
nels.
If the grading of white oats is being
demonstrated, another tray is used. II
| .,hnat is under discussion the inquirer