76 



ESSAYS ON WHEAT 



must make decisions of great importance which are binding 

 upon two opposed and powerful interests. For him, there- 

 fore, as he values his peace of mind and his security as a 

 government official, there is only one safe path to tread, 

 the path of absolute impartiality. In order to secure this 

 impartiality in the determination of grades, a grading 

 system has been evolved of such a kind that neither the 

 samplers who take the samples of wheat from the box- 

 cars nor the inspectors who grade the samples, have the 

 least idea whence the grain has come, to whom it belongs, 

 or to whom it is consigned. The inspectors must there- 

 fore grade the grain simply on its merits in accordance 

 with the standards set up for their guidance. 



The task of determining the grade of wheat is by no 

 means an easy one. The inspectors, says Magill, " have 

 to inspect an enormous volume of grain per car unit, 

 and in certain seasons they must work rapidly and con- 

 tinuously during daylight. They must never be bewild- 

 ered either by the variety or continuity in which nature 

 revels, or by the multiplicity of grades of which the terms 

 are neither very distinct nor unambiguous. They have 

 few mechanical aids. Their senses must always be keen, 

 and their judgment always sound, for one error will be 

 remembered against years of efficient service. Their work 

 is of supreme importance, for their verdict fixes which 

 rate per bushel, out of several quoted on the market, the 

 seller will receive, and the grain is stored, transported, and 

 sold both at home and abroad on their certificate." ^* 



Tor the whole of Canada there are two inspection divi- 

 sions. The Western Inspection Division stretches from 

 the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean, and the Eastern 

 Division from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. 



28 R. Magill, Grain Inspection in Canada, Department of Trade 

 and Commerce, Ottawa, 1914, p. 20. 



