308 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



GRAIN STANDARDIZATION. 



The investitrntions of the Bureau bearing upon the methods of 

 handling and grading commercial grain have continued in charge of 

 Mr. John D. Shanahan, Technologist. Avith Dr. J. W. T. Duvel as 

 Assistant in Charge of Laboratory Methods. 



Commercial handling of corn. — Various lots of corn, aggregat- 

 ing approximatel}' 50,000 bushels, have been under the control of the 

 Department at various times during the past year through agreement 

 with the owners. The object of this arrangement has been to deter- 

 mine for experimental purposes under actual commercial conditions 

 the relation of the methods of handling to the ultimate condition or 

 grade of the corn. These lots of corn Avere under observation at 

 regular intervals while in transit from points in the corn- belt and 

 while in storage at terminal and export points. Many shipments of 

 various sizes not under the control of the Department were al.so 

 examined at point of shipment and again at destination. Two car- 

 goes of corn aggregating 275,000 bushels were accompanied to Euro- 

 pean ports by Mr. E. G. Boerner and Mr. J. H. Cox, assistants, who 

 made observations at regular intervals en route. The quality and 

 condition of corn in cribs on the farm and when marketed at country 

 grain elevators have been studied. 



These experiments and observations have yielded much valuable 

 information and a great quantity of data bearing upon the behavior 

 of commercial corn stored in cribs and elevators, in transit by rail and 

 water, the factors influencing such behavior, and the influence of those 

 factors upon the commercial grades and values of corn. The moisture- 

 testing apparatus, which was developed and recommended by the 

 Department, has continued during the year to play an important part 

 in fixing grades and market prices of corn. 



Work with wheat and other grains. — The methods of handling 

 commercial wheat from field to mill, including the harvesting, trans- 

 porting, .storing, and grading, have been studied, and approximately 

 300 samples of the various varieties, classes, and grades were obtained, 

 milled, and baked, in cooperation with the Xorth Dakota Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, in order to study the factors which constitute 

 milling and baking quality, v\'ith special reference to the influence 

 of those factors upon the commercial grades and values of wheat. 

 Other commercial grains have been studied along similar lines during 

 the year, special attention having been given to tlie bleaching of oats 

 with sulphur. Satisfactoi-y cooperation with grain-carrying rail- 

 roads, commercial exchanges, grain-dealers' associations, and grain- 

 elevator companies has been etfected and this cooperation has con- 

 tributed to the success in acquiring additional valuable data bearing 

 upon the factors which constitute the intrinsic worth of the various 

 grains for commercial purposes and upon which the commercial 

 grades of grain must be based. 



The work during the ensuing fiscal year will be continued along the 

 same general lines as heretofore. Experience has shown, however, 

 that certain modifications in methods are necessary in order to bring 

 the investigations to bear more effectively upon the fundamental 

 principles and factors which underlie the intrinsic and economic 

 worth of commercial grains. 



