March, 1912.] 



207 



Edible Products. 



ance with the demands of the different 

 consumers and manufacturers of maize 

 products. 



Then in so far as the producer is con- 

 cerned, we must consider what classes 

 of maize he can produce most profitably 

 in the particular area in which he is 

 situated. While keeping before him the 

 market prices of the different varieties, 

 he has to consider whether he can pro- 

 duce a high price and delicate variety, or 

 must he grow a lower price and hardy 

 variety. In this connection he must 

 consider che rain and drought, the insect 

 and other pests, and the keeping quality 

 of these varieties in transit. Then there 

 are the early and late varieties to be 

 considered, and the most important of 

 all, the yield of muids per acre. 



The solution of the question dealt 

 with now, viz.; "The ^classes of maize 

 best suited fcr the European Market," 

 has been satisfactorily solved by other 

 exporting countries only by careful 

 observation and experience. The South 

 African maize grower is gaining experi- 

 ence fast. He has been ably assisted 

 and guided by the special sections of 

 the Agricultural Departments of the 

 different South African Governments, 

 now under Union, dealing with this 

 matter. Rapid progress has been made, 

 and if things are continued on these 

 lines, we will all soon know which classes 

 of maize can be best produced in South 

 Africa, and which will meet with the 

 greatest demand on the European 

 markets. It is, however, my duty to 

 give some idea as to what the European 

 markets are now buying, and what 

 classes of maize they are paying the 

 best price for. Up to this poiut I have 

 not dealt with named breed-;, but have 

 only dealt with "classes." Let me say 

 at once that the buyers on the European 

 markets do not worry themselves about 

 breeds, theyonlydeal with the "classes"; 

 indeed, I do not think there ar<3 more 

 than a very few dealers on the great 

 grain markets of Europe who could give 

 | you the name of more than a few breeds 

 of the maize they deal in. 



For commercial purposes maize can be 

 divided first into two main classes : — (1), 

 "Flint or Round"; (2), "Dent or Flat." 

 From these are made up the five sreat 

 commercial classes of maize : " White 

 Flat," " White round," "Yellow Flat," 

 " Yellow Round" and "Mixed." 



Though " White Flat " has generally 

 been making a better price than 

 " Yellow Round," it is not used by any 

 means in such large quantities in Europe 

 as the latter class, and it has not yet 

 been proved that it will hold its position 



as the highest priced South African maize 

 if very large quantities are shipped. 

 While " White Round " is seldom want- 

 ed, " Yellow Round" is the class most 

 generally dealt in ; while "Yellow Flat" 

 is also a very popular article, it is 

 of a little less value per quarter than the 

 "Round". "Mixed" is strictly speak- 

 ing "no class," and is always of less 

 value thau any of the before-mentioned 

 classes. 



The English markets are larger buyers 

 of " Yellow," while the Continental 

 markets favour the "White" classes. 

 The variety of maize which always 

 makes the best price is the "Small 

 Yellow Flint," known as the " Cinquan- 

 tino" or " Bessarabian," and is generally 

 worth about Is. 9d. per quarter (8d. to 

 9d. per muid) more tlian South African 

 "White Flat" "or Yellow Round," 

 but the yield per acre is'said to be very 

 small. 



In dealing: with the five commercial 

 types of South African maize, I will 

 place them in the order in which they 

 stand on the European markets, to- 

 gether with their approximate prices 

 per quarter of 480 lb. (f.a.q. — Govern- 

 ment terms, July-August shipments). 

 I may mention that this order has been 

 most generally maintained during the 

 past tour years, though sometimes there 

 was little or no difference between the 

 first two classes :— 







s. 



d. 



1. 



White Flat 



22 



3 



2. 



Yellow Round 



21 



3 



3. 



Yellow Flat 



20 



9 



4. 



White Round 



20 



6 



5. 



Mixed 



20 







This is on the basis that the maize 

 under all these classes is exactly similar 

 quality ; should, however, the "Yellow 

 Round " be slightly bettei quality than 

 the " White Flat" it will make a better 

 price, the same remark applying to the 

 other classes. 



So far I presume we have been dealing 

 with sound maize only, but as no maize- 

 producing country in the world produces 

 only sound or first quality maize, it is 

 my duty to express an opinion as to 

 what is to be done with maize which has 

 become damaged or in an unsound condi- 

 tion. It must be remembered that 

 maize out of condition still remains an 

 article of commerce, and though I am 

 just as anxious as any other person that 

 the good name of South Africau maize 

 on the European markets should be 

 maintained, and that only sound maize 

 should be exported, I see no reason why 

 damaged maize should not be exported 

 provided such maize is sold as damaged 



