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 a 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 we'll It may be turned
into flour and bread, but to determine
his 1t is necessary to now how much
protein 1T has, how much and how elastic
the gluten, o much waste in bran,
how much moisture n many other
factors.
The problem then is not q simple one
nor is 1t 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 16
per cent protein and If q premium Is
being paid for protein 1t will command
that premium. However. II the wheat
grades No. 8 the premium will be 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 and is COM
paratively high In protein and 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 at the Northern Montana Elk
pertinent Station. In 1927 the Marquis
weighed IS pounds to the tushel, 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 PEE
bushel. had 2.9 per cent screenings. con
tanned 10.l per cent moisture, tested 49,
per cent protein and graded No. / Darl
that the 1917 wheat produced 68.3 Pc
cent flour and produced a bread which
scored 90 per cent in texture n g.
per cent in color and had q loaf volume
of 2l80 cubic centimeters. The 1872.
wheat produced 1856 per cent flour which
yielded q bread which scored IS per cen
in texture and IS per cent in color ant
had a loaf volume Of 1850 cubic cent?
meters.
The wheat producers onIy safeguard
Is to know as much as possible abou
his grain before he sells 1t. Represent
alive samples sent to one OF the reliabl
brain testing laboratories will provide hir
! with the best obtatnable information
The state laboratory at Bozeman operat
ed in connection with the Montana Elk
pertinent Station, makes tests for grade
l N~0<n{n 1n~<a1% 49, ~et1It-o ~~l HcIrt-
qualities. The State laboratory a
Great Falls will test samples for grad
and protein content. A farmer will M
buy q tractor without finding out no,
1t will operate but too often there ar
those who will sell their wheat withou
making even a pretense OF finding OF
about its quality.