SCREENINGS. 
57 
By the courtesy of the heads of some of our large mill-firms, I 
have been furnished from time to time with samples of the various 
kinds of the above waste products, many of which are, or certainly may 
be, vehicles for transmission of attack when spread over the country 
for feeding-stuffs, or bedding for pigs, &c., as now happens from the 
cheap rates at which they are purchasable. 
But as, in drawing attention of agriculturists to the danger run in 
using these screenings, there might be blame attached to myself in 
venturing to bring forward a point which (if followed up) might inter¬ 
fere with due and proper profit to millers, I have made inquiry on the 
subject of various well-known firms, and it will be seen by the replies 
with which I am favoured that the dirt and dangerous rubbish sent 
over is not desired by them (as, amongst other reasons, it involves the 
use of expensive machinery which would not otherwise be requisite); 
also it is shown that the corn could be transmitted either clean or much 
cleaner than it now comes. I venture therefore to give some of the 
notes with which I have been favoured in reply to my inquiries on this 
important matter, by which it will be seen what countries the foulest 
imports are sent from ; various causes for the presence of impurities ; 
some amount of statement of percentage of these in adulterated or not 
cleaned Wheat imports, and price at which these waste products are 
sold ; also of treatment requisite to clear the corn; and also measures 
of protective co-operation which are now taken to some extent, and 
which are open to much wider adoption, by importers at their own 
pleasure, to guard themselves against unlimited impurity of cargoes 
transmitted to them. 
To these notes I have added descriptions of various kinds of waste 
products screened, or removed by various means from foul corn, of 
which I have been favoured with samples, and also figures and observa¬ 
tions regarding some few of the insect-pests which either do or may 
easily come in these uncleaned cargoes, and which it would be well for 
agriculturists to be on their guard against, and report on their first 
appearance ; and also a short account of a small moth (figured at p. 56), 
which appears to have been introduced from the South of Europe 
during the last few years, and of which the maggots are excessively 
troublesome by choking the working of apparatus in flour-mills. 
The following communication, with which I was favoured on June 
1st, is from Mr. Hibbard, of the firm of Messrs. J. Reynolds and Co., 
Albert Flour Mills, Gloucester, on introduction to him of my request 
for information by Mr. Marshall Sturge, of Gloucester. After men¬ 
tioning that my letters re Russian grain, shipments, Wheat, and 
Barley, had been handed to him by Mr. M. Sturge, Mr. Hibbard 
wrote as follows in reply to my inquiries :— 
1. Is grain sent now in worse condition than formerly ? I do not think 
