AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS AND RURAL ECONOMY. 27 



15 to 20 per cent, less than on other freight. And, independent of the evident economy 

 of this system, there is another consideration which commends itself to the attention of 

 farmers. It is well known that grain is even more liable to heat and spoil in bags than it is 

 in bulk ; while in barrels it is impossible to stow it in a position which will prevent the circu- 

 lation of the air around it ; and if the wood of which the barrel is made be well seasoned, it 

 will absorb and dry out any moisture which may be in the grain. For in the transportation 

 of grain from the warehouse to the cars, vessel, or storeroom, it is often necessary to do a 

 part of the work in unfavorable weather ; and thus, in winter-time, snow frequently drifts 

 into the cars and moistens the bags, and in this or some way they are dampened ; and then, 

 if packed in bulk, there frequently ensues more injury from mould and other causes than the 

 whole cost of barrelling would amount to. A friend who has had a great deal of experience 

 in this matter estimates the saving to the farmer at at least six cents a bushel on every bushel 

 of grain sent to this market in barrels ; in fact, that by the present system of sending it in 

 bulk or bags the farmer is losing six cents a bushel at the very lowest estimate. 



There is another view of the matter, in the consideration that the manufacture of the 

 barrels would add so much more to the productive interest of the country. What a vast 

 amount of raw material, quite worthless in a wooded region, it would convert into cash ! for 

 each buyer of the grain would pay the value of the barrel at the point where it changed hands. 

 When it reached France, it would be worth its original cost for fire-wood ; for there fuel is 

 sold by the pound at a high price. At any rate, there would be no loss, as in the case of bags, 

 while in cost of freight, handling, storage, leakage, wetage, injury from mustiness, etc., there 

 would be a considerable balance in favor of the barrels. 



With Indian corn this saving would be more important than with wheat, because it is a 

 grain so low in price that it will not bear costly transportation. When corn is only worth 

 twenty-five cents a bushel at a point in the West whence it cost fifty cents to get it to New 

 York, a difference of six cents a bushel in freight may entirely prevent it from being sent 

 forward, as the market price would not allow a higher rate of freight, and any increase would 

 take so much from the farmer's low price. But there is yet another fact regarding the trans- 

 portation of grain in barrels that is worthy of consideration. The motion of the cars keeps 

 the kernels of grain in the barrels in constant motion, and the natural tendency is to follow 

 the circle round and round, instead of settling down to the bottom, as it does in bags or bulk. 

 This has been proved by experiment. Besides this, the frequent rolling of the barrels gives 

 motion to the grain, and helps to keep it sweet. If there should be any danger of dampness, 

 it is suggested that a few dry corn-cobs or husks among the grain would be likely to prove a 

 preventive. In conclusion, we are quite confident that if these hints should be followed by 

 the majority of Western farmers, the amount of money saved in one year would be as much 

 a source of surprise as self-congratulation. — New York Tribune. 



Improvements in the Construction of Granaries. 



A Mr. Adams, in a late number of The Journal of the London Society of Arts, has made a 

 suggestion for a new kind of granary, by which he thinks that grain may be safely and 

 effectually preserved for any number of years. The great difficulty now is the natural moist- 

 ure contained in all grain, and which it is never entirely divested of by exposure to the 

 atmosphere at the common temperature ; this being the cause of much of the sour, musty 

 flour found in market. 



The following are Mr. Adams's observations upon the subject: — 



"There docs not seem to be any difficulty in the matter, if we divest ourselves of precon- 

 ceived ideas, of the notion that a granary or grain receptacle must necessarily be a building 

 with a floor or windows more or less multiplied in altitude. We may reason by analogy as 

 to what is the cheapest and most effective means of securing perishable commodities from the 

 action of the atmosphere and vermin. In England we put our flour in sacks. Brother Jona- 

 than puts his in barrels, which does not thoroughly answer. * * * If Brother Jonathan 

 wishes really to preserve his flour or his ' crackers' undamaged, he makes them thoroughly 



