4 AMERICAN EXPOET CORN ( MAIZE ) IN EUROPE. 



satisfactory condition, that it was not of the quahty represented by 

 the inspection certificates accompanying the shipments, and that 

 material injury was in consequence being done to the export grain 

 trade of the United States. 



INVESTIGATIONS BEGUN. 



In order to secure definite and rehable inforniation regarding the 

 condition in which American grain was arriving in European countries, 

 an investigation was undertaken by the United vStates Department 

 of Agriculture. As most of the dissatisfaction seemed to arise from 

 shipments of corn, special attention was given to that grain. Under 

 instructions from the Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Mr. 

 Clyde E. Leigh ty, one of the writers of this paper, was engaged upon 

 the work for a period extending from January 22 to June 30, 1906, 

 during which time he visited eight of the more important European 

 grain-receiving ports and made examinations of the corn in thirty- 

 two ships arriving from the United States. 



INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUED. 



Continuing the investigations in order to secure additional data 

 and to verify that already obtained, Mr. Emil G. Boerner, also one of 

 the writers, was engaged upon the work for two periods, one period 

 extending from October 21, 1906, to June 15, 1907, and the other 

 extending from December 20, 1907, to October 30, 1908. During 

 the first period 88 corn-laden ships were examined at 22 European 

 ports and during the second period 53 ships containing corn were 

 examined at 12 European ports, all of the shipments having been 

 made from the various Atlantic and Gulf ports of the United States. 



EUROPEAN CONDITIONS STUDIED. 



Under instructions from the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief 

 of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Mr. John D. Shanahan, in immedi- 

 ate charge of the work, was engaged during August, September, and 

 October, 1908, in reviewing these investigations and studying grain- 

 trade conditions in Europe, during which time he visited practically 

 all of the important European grain-importing countries in which 

 American grain is received and nearly all of the principal grain mar- 

 kets and grain-receiving ports in those countries. 



The results of these investigations are here set forth in a series of 

 tables and diagrams, together with such conclusions as could be 

 drawn from and recommendations that were suggested by the work. 

 It is believed that the information is of a character which, if placed 

 before the grain industry of the United States, will exert an influence 

 toward the use of more care in the handling and shipping of corn and 

 toward placing our export grain business on a more satisfactory and 

 profitable basis. 



[Cir. 55] 



