4 AMERICAN EXPORT CORN ( MAIZE ) IN EUROPE. 
satisfactory condition, that it was not of the quality represented by 
the inspection certificates accompanying the shipments, and that 
material injury was in consequence being done to the export grain 
trade of the United States. 
INVESTIGATIONS BEGUN. 
In order to secure definite and reliable information regarding the 
condition in which American grain was arriving in European countries, 
an investigation was undertaken by the United States Department 
of Agriculture. As most of the dissatisfaction seemed to arise from 
shipments of corn, special attention was given to that grain. Under 
instructions from the Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Mr. 
Clyde E. Leigh ty, one of the writers of this paper, was engaged upon 
the work for a period extending from January 22 to June 30, 1906, 
during which time he visited eight of the more important European 
grain-receiving ports and made examinations of the corn in thirty- 
two ships arriving from the United States. 
INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUED. 
Continuing the investigations in order to secure additional data 
and to verify that already obtained, Mr. Emil G. Boerner, also one of 
the writers, was engaged upon the work for two periods, one period 
extending from October 21, 1906, to June 15, 1907, and the other 
extending from December 20, 1907, to October 30, 1908. During 
the first period 88 corn-laden ships were examined at 22 European 
ports and during the second period 53 ships containing corn were 
examined at 12 European ports, all of the shipments having been 
made from the various Atlantic and Gulf ports of the United States. 
EUROPEAN CONDITIONS STUDIED. 
Under instructions from the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief 
of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Mr. John D. Shanahan, in immedi- 
ate charge of the work, was engaged during August, September, and 
October, 1908, in reviewing these investigations and studying grain- 
trade conditions in Europe, during which time he visited practically 
all of the important European grain-importing countries in which 
American grain is received and nearly all of the principal grain mar- 
kets and grain-receiving ports in those countries. 
The results of these investigations are here set forth in a serir 
tables and diagrams, together with such conclusions as could be 
drawn from and recommendations that were suggested by the work. 
It is believed that the information is of a character which, if placed 
before the grain industry of the United States, will exert an influence 
toward the use of more care in the handling and shipping of corn and 
toward placing our export grain business on a more satisfactory and 
profitable basis. 
[Cir. 55] 
