HANDLING OF GRAIN

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 56

HANDLING OF GRAIN

rvJi a 1 address before the National Uiam Dealers Association, Mr. Frank H. 1 ea\ ey discussed the growth of the elerai, 0 . 1 . ' JUS ! U( -: ss - The most phenomenal giouth of the gram trade has occurred in iii I l? r * :l '"’est > with Minneapolis and Duluth as terminal points. Duluth to-' grain elevator capacity of oo’n™ , bushels, and Minneapolis of 00,0uu,000 bushels. Twenty-five years ago it cost 20 cents to send a busiief of grain by freight from Duluth to Buffalo, and to-day it can be sent for 2 cents, and is frequently shipped for i cent. In 1835 the all-rail route from Fargo to the seaboard was 39 cents. This fall the rate has been 21 cents. In other words, the producer can ship his grain to the seaboard and sell it for 18 cents Jess than he did in 1885, and realise just as much money. The most interesting part of the address related to the construction of elevators. For many years elevator men have been seeking an absolutely fireproof structure. One is being built in Duluth at a cost of 1,000,0Q0d01., which will he the most up-to-date plant in the world. It is made of cement. The idea was obtained from Europe, where small cement elevtors have been successfully operated. A* Braila, in Koumania, a Government elevator, built wholly of cement, was successfully operated for a number of year - The elevator being constructed in Dulutn will have a working capacity of d,000,0w bushels. The cylindrical cement tans* which will hold the grain, are each high, and 35ft. in diameter. This methoa of construction, although e?penconpromises to revolutionise elevator struction.—"American Agriculturist.