256 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



cent of the entire wheat crop of the United States. 

 Since this is a region of scattered population and 

 heavy production, it is evident that it contributes 

 materially to the export trade. 



The greater part of the wheat is sent eastward, 

 either by way of the Great Lakes highway or by 

 rail. Transportation facilities are very good ; the 

 greater part of the region is served by a maze 

 of railroads. Splendid transcontinental systems 

 give efficient service to the eastern and southern 

 export cities. Milling is well organized. Up-to- 

 date flouring mills are found in all the cities and 

 in practically all of the moderate-sized towns. In 

 addition to these smaller centers there is the great 

 milling center at Minneapolis. The principal 

 market centers for the region are Minneapolis, 

 Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, and St. Louis. 



The Western Valleys and Plains Wheat Region. 

 Wheat is raised in all of the Western states. 

 Although it is of great local importance in the 

 irrigated valleys of Arizona and Utah, its areas of 

 great commercial importance are the Sacramento 

 valley of California and the high plains of eastern 

 Oregon, Washington, and western Idaho. These 

 two latter areas are the districts which contribute 

 to the wheat of commerce. 



The climate varies greatly. In California the 

 winters are very mild, and in eastern Washington 

 they are quite severe. The average annual rain- 



