Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-07-29
TREASURE STATE FARM AND LIVESTOCK
WHY Momtama's Wheat
Commands a Premium

simple process by which quality could be
determined. Many MISUNDERSTANDING
and much dissatisfaction would be avoid
ed II this were the case. However, a
simple formula to accomplish this pur-
pose appears to be impossible.
The value OF an automobile Is deter
mined by how we'll 1t will run but in
determining this simple matter there must
be considered q great many factors such
as the efficiency OF the engine, the dur
ability OF the various parts, the economy
and convience of operation. etc. In the
case Of wheat the thing to be determin-
ed is simply how well 1T may be turned
into flour and bread. but to determine
this 1t is necessary to know how much
protein 1t has, how much and how elastic
the gluten, how much waste In bran,
how much moisture and many other
factors.
The problem then is not a simple one
nor is II likely that 1t will ever become
simple. Protein content is important
but not all important: grade is import
ant: freedom from smut Is important but
not all important.
A quantity Of wheat may contain l6
per cent protein and II q premium Is
being paid for protein 1t will command
premium. However. II h wheat
grades No. 8 the premium will DO added
to the price quoted for No. 8 grade. Thus
the high protein content may be offset
by the lower grade. In the same way the
premium for protein may be offset by
the presence of smut.
Does the variety of wheat give any
indication Of its quality? In a general
way, yes. Marquis Is considered one
of the best milling wheats n is COM
paratively high In protein n yet Mar
quis will vary greatly from year to year
and In different places. This Is well
Illustrated by the results of milling and
baking tests made on Marquis wheat
produced ut the Northern Montana E
pertinent Station. In 1927 the Marquis
weighed SIS pounds to the bushel. had
SIS per cent screenings. contained los
per cent moisture. tested 1871 per cent
protein and graded Ne. 8 Dark Northern
spring. In 1922 the Marquis produced
at the station weighed 500 pounds pei
bushel. had 30 per cent screenings, con
tanned 10.1 per cent moisture, tested To-
Per cent protein and graded No. ! Darl
that the 1917 wheat produced 68.3 pc,
cent flour and produced q bread which
scored SO per cent in texture ano 8
per cent in color and had q loaf volum,
Of 2180 cubic centimeters. The 1872.
wheat produced 75.6 per cent flour which
yielded q bread which scored IS per cen
In texture M 85 per cent in color ant
had a loaf volume OF 2050 cubic cent?
meters.
The wheat producers onIy safeguar'
Is to know as much as possible abou
his grain before he sells 1t. Represent
alive samples sent to n Of the reliabl
brain testing laboratories will provide hir
with the best obtainable information
The state laboratory at Bozeman operat
ed in connection with the Montana Elk
pertinent Station, make tests for grad'
protein content n milling and bakin
qualities. The State laboratory Q
Great Falls will test samples for grad
and protein content. A farmer will nc
buy q tractor without finding out no.
it will operate but too often there al
those who will sell their wheat withor
making even a p~retense of finding OF
about its quality.