CHAPTER XXI 

 CEREALS IN COMMERCE 



CEREAL grains are of commanding importance in the 

 trade relations of the world, but the full commercial dis- 

 cussion is not in place in this book. Only a brief state- 

 ment of commercial transactions in cereals is given here, 

 properly connecting production with consumption. 



617. Bulk handling of grain. It is the general prac- 

 tice in North America to handle grain in bulk. Grain 

 transfers and transportation are, by this method, more 

 quickly conducted, and without the cost of bags. It 

 would be practically impossible to take proper care of 

 all grain in any other way in the principal grain districts 

 and markets. Bulk grain is also more easily and thor- 

 oughly inspected than grain in bags, and the expense of 

 handling and transportation is less. When thrashing, 

 the grain is commonly poured direct from the machine 

 into a wagon box. 



618. Handling in bags. In the Pacific Coast region, 

 and to some extent in the Great Basin, grain is handled 

 in bags. This method is usually associated with the 

 practice of harvesting and thrashing by means of the 

 combined machine. In Australia, New Zealand, and 

 Argentina, the bagging method is also generally em- 

 ployed. The bags are made to hold from 2 to 3 bushels. 

 In the western United States they contain about 150 

 pounds of wheat, or 80 to 96 pounds of oats, while in 



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