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Show THE FACILITIES CF DEPARTMENT DE-PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ' The U. S. department of agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry has one offic which is taken up with the subject of grain standardization, and the purpose of its investigations may be grouped under three heads, as follows: (1) To improve the methods of harvesting, har-vesting, handling, storing, and transporting trans-porting of grain so that it will be of better grade when it reaches the consumer con-sumer or the primary market. (2) To establish definite standards for the grading of commercial grain on such a basis that will enable the producer pro-ducer and consumer, as well as the dealer, to determine the correct grade of any given lot of grain. (3) Through a definite system of ' grading, uniform throughout the United States, to encourage the production and marketing of grain of better quality In these investigations a study is made of all factors entering into and affecting the commercial grade of corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, rice, flaxseed, kafir, etc., from the time of harvesting until delivered to the consumer. Tests are made to determine the changes which take place in grain during dur-ing storage on the farm or in elevators or warehouses at country stations and terminal markets. This same work is also extended to grain in transit in cars and in trans-Atlantic steamships with the view of reducing the enormous osse s now resulting from the heating and spoiling of large quantities of grain before it is finally disposed of, in that losses of this character are finally charged back to the farmer in the lower low-er price he receives for his grain. Tests are made to determine the rate and degree of damage in the various grades of commercsal grain, and in the farm studies special consideration has been given to such problems a3 the loss in weight of corn from the time of cribbing until it is marketed. Empkasis ! is placed on methods which enable the producer by marketing dry, sound, a: d clean grain, to demand a premium for such grain, as well as the high commercial com-mercial grade to which he is entitled. At the country elevator a study is made of the quality and condition of grain as received from the farmer, followed by investigations as to methods meth-ods of handling through the elevator, including cleaning, drying, preparation for shipment, and loading into cars. Information is given as to such methods and practices as will prevent deterioration deteriora-tion and consequent lowering of grade when it shall reach the terminal market. mar-ket. Examinations are made ot samples sam-ples submitted as to quality and condition, condi-tion, including moisture test, and reports are issued to the submitter which enable him to know the grade to which he is entitled on his grain. Information In-formation is furnished relative to natural shrinkage of grain in transit; influence on grade of temperature and season, moisture content, and soundness; sound-ness; quality and condition of American export grain under varying conditions of stowage, length of voyage, etc.; the quality and condi ion of grain imported into the United States and the effect of such importation on grade and market value of domestic grain. Facts are secured based on actual tests as to the relation between the milling and baking value of wheat to commercial grade; likewise, between grade and feeding value of scund and unsound corn, and natural and bleached oats, and inquiries relative to these subjects are answered through this office. In terminal markets, practically all factors entering into the methods of handling, grading, and transportation of grain, and the fixing of definite grades thereof, are studied in detail. Testw are made for soundness, moisture content, weight per bushel, admixtures of other grains, impurities, etc. |