The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-08-19

vators received 1858 cars for grain
loading, or an average per elevator
of 2.22 for the month. The June
average represents a fractional adj
vance over May, but nothing to give
any promise of a normal movement
from the country elevators to termf-
nal markets. At the end of June
there was in country elevators in the
same states, 15,800,000 bushels of
grain, including a small amount of
corn, having a total value of 3d.
$4,000.
There was on July 1 approximately
"a, 900, 600 bushels on the farms, val
ued at approximately $50,000,00O.
This amount of grain still to be NOV
ed from country elevators before they
will be clean and ready for the new
crop and the amount still held on the
farms are factors which tend to hurt
the prospects of the free movement
of the new crop.
There has been some improvement
in the traffic situation, and the fed
eral authorities and operating Off
Gals of all the grain carrying lines
are undoubtedly putting forth their
U6SL anu u1OOt 0ASI SCLlC cllOllO "
meet the situation which they are
about to confront. The prospective
small grain crop involves the move
ment of approximately 100000 cars.
Without considering the marketing
of possibly 225, 10000 600 bushels or al
additional 10000 cars. The rate of
improvement in the traffic situation
is not sufficient to justify the hope
that the grain carrying lines will
be able to effect a normal movement.
In all probability the crop will move
slowly, and its progress from the
farms to the markets will be subject
to the same delays and difficulties
that have characterized the owe
ment of grain, flour and mill pro-
ducts throughout all of the past year.
In view of the situation, it is of the
utmost Importance that each grain
grower Investigate at nee the pos
sibilities for the prompt marketing
of grain from his own farm this fall.
If he cannot satisfy himself that the
elevators at his local shipping points
will be in a position to receive and
move his grain, he should take i'm
mediate steps to provide dry, clean,
weather-proof storage on his farm.
There is sufficient time to erect new
grain bins and take other appropri-
ate steps for the safety of the new
crop after it is threshed. There is a
probability that on most of
the farms in this district the owner
can provide emergency grain storage
by repairing existing buildings or
cleaning out sheds and o~utbuildings
used for other purposes, making
them ready for grain.
One of the serious dangers is that
farmers will place too much reliance
upon shipping conditions, and if they
are disappointed when the grain IS
ready to move, will store it out OF
doors. There is no safety in such
course, and the experience of the
northwest over many years indicates
that while grain may sometimes be
through without injury, that
stored in this maner it is usual
ly subject to special hazards which
be avoided if possible.
Without a much more encouraging
and definite promise of sufficient
transportation to move the crop, II
be very unwise for any grain
grower to discount the seriousness
of the traffic situation and it is
urgently recommended that all farm
srs surround themselves with the
that car be afforded by
care of the grain that cannot be
moved to the elevator. !