SCREENINGS. 
61 
permission to go over two of the large corn-mills at Hull, and also 
to forward to me samples of the different kinds of screenings; and I 
was also favoured by the following information in a letter from 
Mr. Kelsey, of the firm of Castle, Kelsey and Son, Hull:— 
“ In answer to your inquiries, all foreign grain imported into this 
country now comes in a much cleaner state than formerly. Egyptian 
grain still contains a large admixture of soil, stones, and dust, but 
their finest quality of Wheat now comes much clearer, and makes 
correspondingly higher prices ; and there is no reason that this country 
should still continue to ship their ordinary or fair average quality of 
Wheat and Beans in such a dirty state, as they could dress the same 
before shipment, and receive better prices on our markets, if the dust 
and dirt were kept in Egypt. 
“ The same remarks apply to Indian Wheats. Both these exporting 
countries give us sufficient proof that they can ship their grain in a 
good, clean state, if they like to be at the expense of using the machines 
they possess for the purpose. Shipments from these countries realise 
comparatively low prices, owing to their dirty state, with which 
importers and millers are well acquainted, and protect themselves to a 
certain extent by contracts containing full description of quality, &c., 
and an arbitration clause if any dispute between sellers and buyers 
should arise respecting the same. 
“Indian shipments are now considerably better cleaned, and of 
better quality, than used to be the case some years since; while Egypt 
seems to prefer shipping as much soil and dirt with their grain as they 
think it probable importers in this country will submit to, although 
they frequently contract for the bulk not to contain more than 7 per 
cent, dirt, and if more is found they have to pay an allowance in 
accordance with the analysis and arbitration award. 
“ Considerable loss is often experienced by importers in this 
country when gram is shipped in such a dirty state; owing to the 
length of passage the grain becomes very warm (especially in summer 
time), and weevils often exist to a very serious extent, doing great 
injury, and causing great waste and heavy loss to importers. 
“ Millers in this country, with their greatly improved machinery, 
easily wash and clean such descriptions of grain, and are, by their 
practical knowledge, well able to protect their own interest in what 
they buy from importers, the latter running the great risk of the evil 
effects of weevils, &c., while in passage. Millers would much prefer 
having to deal with good, sound, sweet, clean grain, and pay extra 
prices for it. 
“ Shippers do not take into sufficient consideration that they pay 
freight and charges for such large percentage of dirt that they ship, or 
that they would get much better prices for their corn if they kept at 
home all the soil and extraneous matter alluded to. 
