A BotiDiical and Economic Study. 187 



bags, cordage and the finer fibres for cloth; (2) the material 

 between the ribs is made into bread of an agreeable taste ; 

 (3) the coarse paste, which finally separates, is used -in the 

 making of paper. The perfection of the process is largely 

 due to the efforts of Pfob, Jung, Marsanich and others, men 

 who deserve the highest commendation for their industrious 

 perseverance. 



Oil. — The oil is not obtained by direct expression, but the 

 grain is malted, and the germ is 'separated by careful crush- 

 ing and winnowing. The germs are then submitted to hy- 

 draulic pressure, and yield 15 per cent, oil, and a press cake 

 rich in albumen, containing 4 to 5 per cent. oil. Maize oil 

 is of a pale golden-yellow color, and has a peculiarly agree- 

 able taste and odor. It is a thick liquid, and has a specific 

 gravity of 0.9215 at 59 F. In consists of olein, stearin, pal- 

 mitin, and contains some volatile oil. It solidifies to a quite 

 solid mass at io° C. (14 F.) 1 



Maize oil is well adapted for illuminating purposes, giving 

 a bright white flame, and in burning it develops a high degree 

 of heat. It is used advantageously in the dressing of wool, 

 as a lubricant for machines. The yield is sixteen pounds to 

 every 100 bushels of grain. 



Fuel. — In the Western States, where the supply of fuel is 

 precarious, the whole ear of corn has been used as fuel, but 

 preferably the cob deprived of its kernels. Three tons of 

 corn-cobs equal one ton of hard coal as fuel." In France, the 

 cobs, saturated with resinous matters (sixty parts melted 

 resin, forty parts tar) are used as fire lighters, and are bought 

 at prices ranging from twelve to twenty francs ($2.40 to 

 $4.00) per thousand, according to the size used. 3 



The husks are used in packing oranges and cigars, in the 

 stuffing of pillows, mattresses and lounges. The cob is used 

 as a stopper for bottles. The toasted meal is substituted for 

 coffee. 



1 Amer. Journ. Pharm., 4 ser., xv, 403 ; Bronnt, Animal and Vegetal Fats and Oils, 

 263. 



- Journ. Soc. Arts, xxi, 235 ; Council Bluffs Nonpareil. 

 :i Journ. Soc. Arts, XXIII. 8S7. 



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