The Dolores star., 1920-03-19


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 mllers 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 representatives 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 II one attempts 1t without samples
or apparatus, but with the equipment
included in travelling exhibits sent out
by the department 1t Is much simpler
matter. With the help of information
gtvon by the demonstrators a farmer
familiar with grain can soon learn to
grade his own crop satisfactorily.
Prior to the establishment of fed
cral grades. growers and interior buy
ers knew little of the various methods
and interpretations of different local
grades at the grain terminals. Under
rpI Sf fnp Ip Tfl Isnp ant
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.
test weIght-per-bushel device, 80
5O' separating device. sieves and a
Wildcat "kicker."
To visitors interested In learning
how samples of grain from a car or
bin are secured which are truly repre-
sentative, 1t is explained that
sampler makes probes in five or more
different parts of car with a tubelike
instrument containing ten compart-
ments. With this he secures grain
from various depths of the lond. The
contents of each probe is cmpted 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 brou"ht
to the inspection Office for examina-
tion. 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 "5O-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 bafile' located
just below the outlet of the hopper
causes the grain to spread evenly over
Its surface. At its base are series OF
ducts, each alternate duct flowing into
one of the spOuts below, which ac-
curately divides the sample in half SO
that one portion of 1t will grade ex-
actly the same as the other. Five or
six divisions of the sample are maze
in this way to reduce the portion 10
be examined from about Az pounds to
from one 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 "a
inches in diameter.
Use Of Type Trays.
When the examination Of the inoi-
vidual kernels is undertaken the III
quirer at the exhibit sees the value OF
the glass-c0vered type trays to the
demonstration. II corn Is being eA-
amined the demOnstrator picks up
tray showing kernels that serve us
types to determine whether sample
classes as "white," 'yellow' OF
mixed" Another group of Kernels
shows various types Of damaged ker-
nels.
II the grading Of white oats Is be'ns
demonstrated another tray Is used II
wheat IL under discussion the inquirer