Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-12-23
FARMERS MAY GAIN
$4,OOO,OOO MARKET
University OF Maryland Co.
operates With Maryland Dis
tellers To Localize A Rye Suit
able For Distilling And Open
A Huge New Field To State
Agriculture.

COLLEGE PARK, Md, December
18-An annual market for the sale of
upwards of 100000 bushels of rye
with q cash value of almost as many
dollars, may be opened to the farmers
of Maryland as one result of an ex-
pertinent study to be conducted by the
University of Maryland in cooperation
with the Association of Maryland Dis
tillers and Allied Industries. The
study will begin on next February 1
and will continue for one year with the
understanding that it will be carried
On for another twelve months if re-
suits indicate the advisability of such
extension.
This announcement was made today
by Professor j. E. Metzger, Director
fthe Agricultural Experiment Station,
q division of the university. DIR. Metz
ger said that the idea had originated
with the distillers' association and had
received the support of the university
because of the belief of himself and
others that such a study would be pro-
ductive of much information of benefit
TO the Maryland farming community
whether or not it should enable the
State to fill the whole grain require
ments of the distilled spirits industry
In Maryland.
"In proposing to finance this study"
said Professor Metzger, 'the distillers
have cordially accepted our stipulation
that the investigation is to be thor
oughly scientific and not aimed at
confirming some predetermined con-
clusion. What conclusions may be
indicated are the conclusions we shall
report. AS a contribution to useful
knowledge, these will justify the
study, from the viewpoint of the uni
versity, whatever they may be.
"The distillers are, naturally, anxi-
GUS to learn whether or not rye suit
able for distilling can be grown in
Maryland and, if so, whether it can
compete with other crops so as to
make its production profitable. Rye
is now grown in various sections of the
State but little, if any, is used in the
manufacture of distilled spirits. 1t is
grown mostly for seed and as a cover
crop. Distillers' rye is grown chiefly
in the Middle West where it has been
found possible to produce a brand OF
rye formerly imported for distilling
purposes from Poland. There is q
heavy freight charge from this new
grain country and Maryland farmers
would have an obvious advantage if
they could produce acceptable rye hers
at home.
"The whole thing sums up into 8
matter of dollars and cents. Even il
the rye can be grown here, it must re-
turn the farmer a greater profit than
present crops or he will have no incen-
tive to give his land to it. Our expert
ments should find the answer to botf
these questions as we'll as throw much
new light on the value of rye as ar
ordinary CROP"
Professor Metzger said that the rye
improvement program would include
q survey to determine the varieties
qualities and uses of the rye nov
kIOWA1 tOoJo VI td14CIACo anu 0LIdIIlS
to determine those best adapted tx
Maryland soils and climate; a pro
gram of selection in the quality of tn,
grain based upon the chief require
ments of the market as we'll as i'm
provements that might be made
through hybridization; and an analy
sis of the fertility requirements of tn,
crop from the standpoint of both yielt
and quality.
The study will be conducted by Pau
Galbreath, a graduate student from
Hartford County, who, according to Pro
fessor Metzger, is especially qualified
for the work by training in agricul
tural economies and by long experience
in actual farming.