173 



of heat, mouldy, very damp and rotting Drains. Di^ 

 count one peso per 100 kilos. 



It is estimated that with the actual crop the losses 

 through deterioration and exorbitant discounts, will not 

 fall below $1.25 per 100 kilos, which, on a crop of S 

 millions tons, represents a loss of $100,000,000. 



With an adequate system of elevators and granaries, 

 and the corresponding rapid manipulation >f the grain, a 

 high percentage could be saved of that which to'-day is 

 lost through putrefaction and the humid maize would be 

 reduced to 15 per cent, humidity at which ir is consider- 

 ed in condition for maritime transport. 



The saving would not be less than 70 per cent, of 

 what is lost now to the producer, or some $60,000,000. 



In the actuality a considerable quantity of maize is 

 being sold at $2 . 50 to 3 the 100 kilos, while the price of 

 exportation is $5.20 m n. (1915) . 



Passed through the elevator this same maize would 

 be worth $4.50, thus returning the producer 10 pesos' 

 more per tori at least. 



In normal years the preserving in the "troje" is by 

 no means sure, and bad weather in the epoch of shelling 

 occasions considerable losses. The elevator eliminates 

 these risks totally. Calculating the saving solely at 10 

 cents per 100 kilos it would realise a gain to the producer 

 of $5,000,000 annually. 



Sacks: With a system of elevators, the necessity of 

 sacks disappears entirely, and this item alone represents 

 an economy for the cereal production by no means to b 

 despised . 



The manipulation of grain under the actual circum- 

 stances is computed in $2.50 per ton as follows: 



Peones for weighing, etc $1.00 



Wastage " 0.50 



Deterioration in quality through effects 



of weather . 95 



Sewing and marking of sacks 0.05 



Total . $2.50 



The Elevator owners would charge a maximum ta- 

 riff of $1.25 for the reception, classification and delivery 

 of the grain . 



