The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-08-22


communication to Secretary Jardinc, urging tn"
department Of agriculture to establish standard
test for measuring the protein content OF hard
wheat, marks the first stop in campaign for
thorcuGhgoing revision Of the prevailing system o
grain grading in the United states.
Grading OF grain 4 protein gluten basis.
adopted by the milling industry decade ago. The
proper admiXtur" of wheat Of high protein content
which in the United States is grown largely in
tAe northwest-with cheaper grades Of soft wheat
which be raised in any section of the country
is essential in tn" manufacture Of marketable
brand of flour.
Yet up Ia recent years, and now y great
extent, the price Of North Dakota hard wheat is
governed largely by the total wheat production of
the United States, the greater part Of which is
grain of low gluten content There is. in fact,
overproduction Of soft wheat Authority for this
statement from Prof. Carl l.. Asbcrs, expert
on the staff of tn" food research institute, Stan
ford University, who predicts impending famin"
in Iard wheat. He points out that, while there is
ordinarily oyerproduction in wheat. there is the
same time an increasing shortage of wheat contain
ing high protein content.
THE fact that, despite import duty of 30 cents
busle lnow A. cents bushe), there has been a
not inconsidcrablc importation of hard Canadian
wheat is very good evidence that such is the y
ne states in pamphlet referring To the predicted
deficiency in hard wheat.
That longer export abroad the better
grades of our high gluten wheat is supporting tcs-
timony The expectation OF hard bread
wheats has almost ceased. What we now eXpor;
is the kind Of wheat mcrs reject. II
is nondescrpt wheat. much Of it soft and producing
weak -four"
All of which points to steadily growing demand
for hard, bread wheat, of the variety for which
North Dakota is celebrated 1t means mounting
prices for hard wheat
Bismarck grain quotations yesterday show a
spread Of 81 cents between price paid for No. j.
dark northern. hard wheat and No. amber durum
This may or may not represent the relative demand
for hard and soft wheat. North Dakota farmers
contend it does not. In any event, the difference
will gradually widen, all things equal. and hard
wheat will command an increasingly larger pre-
MUM
The necessity, then. for practical and accurata
standard for gauging the protein content of wheat
and authorities now agree it is chiefly the protein
content which places premium hard wheat
becomes clearly evident
The department of agriculture cannot plausiby
delay installing such standard Tests have re-
peatedy shown the present system of grading grain
is obsolete. Only thing stands in the way Of
revising the current system of grain standardiza-
nominator for classifying grain for protein value.
Prof. Alsberg states the protein test be made
at small expense with maximum of exactness for
practical commercial purposes He says
The determination Of gluten content in wheat
is done by determining the amount Of nitrogen in
wheat and multiplying that value, when ascertained.
by the factor 81 The product gives clear value
enough to the actual gluten content for prac-
tical purposes. The factor 81 is derived from the
percentage of nitrogen in gluten, which is some
thing III per cent of the gluten. The de
termination of nitrogen is done chemically but is
simple and requires great degree of chemical
skill
"In the laboratory Of the United States bureau of
chemistry in Washington y. C., as many $50
nitrogen determinations done "A day by two
boys with only an ordinary school education. Both,
however. have been taught the method by a trained
chemist
It becomes apparent at once that the government
could install gluten tests without any great reor
ganization of the present system of grain grading
The duty of the department of agriculture in this
connection is clear, and the recommendation of Gov
Sorlie at the right time and answers
real need When difference of per cent il
protein content may difference of 10 cents
bus:el to the farmer, the government cannot dela
installing protein test for wheat without detri
ment to the interests of northwest agriculture.
The people of North Dakota and the northwes
as unit echo Governor Sorlies demand for officia
action in fixing a reliable protein standard fol
grading wheat. Every days delay means dollars tt
the farmer.
North Dakota's biggest asset is its wheat cror
and the largest part OF that crop is wheat Of higf
protein content. To continue grading North Dakoti
hard wheat on obsolete grading standards is un
justifable and indefensible. There is no reaso
why protein standard could not obtain official des
ignaton before the grain crop already harvested
goes on the market protein wheat standard l.
an economic necessity. 1t should be established a
once ~