1 64 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



ings are put into the bran. Each miller has his 

 own plan, being influenced by the market for the 

 product. The germ, though high in food value, 

 must be removed from the flour since it contains 

 much oil. This oil would in time become rancid 

 and thus affect the keeping quality of the flour. 



The Development of Milling Centers. - - In 

 about 1835, the mills of Rochester, N. Y. were 

 taking first place among the mills of the United 

 States. Rochester was surrounded by about 2300 

 square miles of fertile valley land which was pro- 

 ducing wheat that took prize medals in European 

 exhibitions. The Erie Canal, Genesee River, and 

 Tonawanda Railroad brought to the Rochester 

 mills not only the wheat of this valley but also 

 that of Ohio and Canada. Within the city limits 

 of Rochester the Genesee River has successive falls 

 aggregating 268 feet. These wonderful falls serve 

 as a great source of power for milling. Rochester 

 because of these natural advantages came to be 

 known as the Flour City. 



The next milling centers to develop were to the 

 west and south. By 1865 the leading wheat-pro- 

 ducing states were Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, 

 and Ohio. Transportation was down the Missis- 

 sippi to New Orleans. St. Louis thus developed 

 as a receiving and milling center, and held first 

 place until 1880. Surrounded by wheat-produc- 

 ing areas, with easy transportation in all direc- 



