4 BULLETIN 618, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



experiment stations. However, a strenuous campaign of educa- 

 tion led by Mr. Carleton was necessary to fix the commercial status 

 of durum wheat, after which it soon became a staple American crop. 



In the meantime deficiencies in the supply of European durum 

 wheat and the activities of Duluth wheat exporters enabled the 

 macaroni manufacturers of the Mediterranean countries to become 

 acquainted with American durum wheat. An export outlet was 

 obtained in this way, which aided greatly in giving the crop some 

 standing among farmers while its commercial status in this country 

 was being established. 



Several difficulties were met in the process of estabhshing the 

 growing of durum wheats on a commercial basis in this country. 

 Chief of these was the fact that there was no market demand for 

 these wheats in America. Macaroni, spaghetti, and other manu- 

 factured forms of durum wheat were not generally used, and durum 

 flour was unknown. The durum wheats were an unknown quantity 

 to the grain trade, the milling industry, and the eaters of bread. 

 The kernels were different in size, color, and hardness from those of 

 other wheats grown here and so could not be thrown into the estab- 

 lished grades or mixed in granaries, cars, or elevators. They were 

 so hard that mills could not grind them with the equipment and 

 methods then in use, and few millers thought they could afford to 

 spend the time and money. for necessary experiments. Much oppo- 

 sition arose, therefore, and the price of durum wheat was depressed 

 below that of common wheat. For the first few years almost no 

 market existed. 



Figure 1 shows graphically the comparative market value of No 1 

 Durum and No. 1 Northern wheat at Duluth, Minn., in the 15 years 

 from 1902 to 1916, inclusive. The value given is the closing price 

 on the first business day of each month during that period. 



From this diagram it will be noted that the average spread in 

 price in the nine years from 1902 to 1910, inclusive, was about 15 

 cents per bushel in favor of common wheat. At the country ele- 

 vators the discrimination against durum, especially in small lots, 

 frequently was as much as 25 cents per bushel. Under these market 

 conditions much durum wheat was fed to stock on the farms where 

 it was grown. 



During 1911 the spread in price gradually decreased, and in the last 

 five years, 1912 to 1916, inclusive, the average price has been about 

 the same. During part of this period the price of durum has been 

 appreciably above that of common wheat. 



It must be recalled that the figures for market value at Duluth are 

 always more favorable to durum wheat than those from any other 

 point. Durum wheat which has arrived at Duluth not only is in 

 commercial channels, but often is already en route to an export mar- 



