64 
CORN. 
More recently, as occasion in my insect-work required, I have been 
obliged with more samples of refuse, one especially showing (like No. 1, 
from Hull, above mentioned) the quantity of bits of broken straw 
which are removed from imported grain, and another of “ rubble ” 
from mixed corn from Germany and Russia.* 
* In regard to possible method of adulteration of S. Russian Wheat (although 
it is probable that all this is much better know of than by myself); nevertheless, it 
may be permissible to add that in the course of last year, on showing samples of 
impure Wheat to an English correspondent, formerly resident, and engaged in 
practical farming in South-eastern Russia, he offered the following observations, 
remarking at the same time that he wished specially to mention that it was now 
some years since he had been resident in Russia. I have therefore inserted “ was ” 
for “is,”—that is, past for present tense,—in description of operations:— 
“ The very dirty state in which the Russian grain reaches England is, in my 
opinion, due to two causes. Firstly, to the very primitive method adopted by the 
peasantry and others for threshing the grain ; secondly, dishonest practices. 
“ When grain had to be threshed out, the usual plan was to clear, by sweeping, a 
space of hardened ground, either out in the fields, or more frequently in the village 
street. The crop was.then laid down, and horses driven round and round, which by 
their tramplings effectively separate the grain out of the ear. The straw was then 
removed, and the grain swept up into a heap; chaff, bits of straw, pieces of earth, 
and horse-droppings were thus naturally all swept into the heap. 
“ To separate the grosser particles of foreign matter this mixture was put through 
a sieve with very big meshes, and then what had passed through the sieve was 
tossed into the air by means of wooden shovels ; the grain and other heavy particles 
fell into one heap, while the chaff was carried by the wind to a slight distance. 
But as the whole operation was of the crudest nature, you can well conceive 
that, after all is said and done, the grain was in a very dirty state when it came to 
be sold.” 
My correspondent further stated that if the supply came short, it was then a 
common practice adopted by the merchants’ agents to mix rubbish with good, clean 
samples, in order to increase the bulk; and that he was personally aware of the 
siftings being sold to these men for the purpose of mixture. 
For obvious reasons I do not give my correspondent’s name. If any point of 
interest occurred on which further information was wished, I would forward 
application; I have no doubt he would enter on all details. 
The following published observation of what went on some years ago is of 
interest, as, judging by what is received at the present day, similar arrangements 
may be continued - 
“ Grain, and more especially Linseed, comes to England full of weed-seeds. 
Here is an explanation. At Timashevo last year some well-dressed Linseed was 
sold in town at 1*40 roubles per pood; the weed-seeds extracted by the cleaning 
and dressing, consisting of all the worst annuals that grow here, were sold at 
75 kopecks per pood, the merchants having applied specially for them in order to 
remix with the better-dressed Linseed and Wheat.” 
‘ A Sketch of the Agriculture and Peasantry of Eastern Russia,’ by Henry Ling 
Roth, 1878. Bailliere & Co., King William Street, Strand. (Paris and Madrid). 
(The 1*40 roubles per pood mentioned above equals about one penny and a 
sixth per English pound, and the 75 kopecks rather more than one halfpenny. 
—H. L. R.) 
