78 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



scientific investigations in progress at the Agricultural Col- 

 lege, wliicli will eventually, I think, throw great light upon 

 that subject. I am sure you would be glad to have Pro- 

 fessor Goessmann make a statement of the objects of that 

 investigation, what progress has already been made, and 

 what results may be anticipated from it. 



Professor Goessmann. My experiments have not pro- 

 gressed very far. I have been collecting samples from 

 different sections of the country, North, South, and West; 

 and I have selected from the various specimens six varieties 

 for special investigation. I have so far tested in reference 

 to the mineral constituents of the corn as well as of the 

 cobs. In regard to the investigation of the cobs, I have 

 arrived at some conclusions which warrant me in saying that 

 the results will be in favor of the use of cobs for feeding 

 purposes, as the percentage of phosphoric acid compares 

 well with our common straws and second-quality hay. I 

 have also ascertained the mineral constituents of most of 

 the specimens of corn. I find a considerable difference in 

 regard to phosphoric acid in corn from different localities 

 and in different kinds of corn ; and if the opinion enter- 

 tained by agricultural chemists is true, that there exists a 

 certain relation between the percentage of phosphoric acid 

 and nitrogenous matter in grains, there is reason to assume 

 that the nitrogenous matter will also vary in a consider- 

 able degree ; but as the carbonaceous matters, starch and 

 fat, vary also, an increased amount of those constituents 

 may, to some extent, compensate for a less amount of 

 nitrogenous matter. It is difficult to decide at the present 

 time, which will come out as the most valuable one for 

 feeding purposes. Our recent investigations in regard to 

 the application of food tell us that the value of the food 

 does not solely depend upon more or less of one constituent, 

 even the nitrogenous matter, but the relative proportion, 

 the exact proportion, and the different conditions, of even 

 the same animal, young or old, working or unproductive. 



The examination of these various specimens of corn has 

 been undertaken for the purpose of having the results ob- 

 tained by one party applying the current improved modes 

 of investigation. Although there is much material already 

 on record in regard to the composition of both corn and 



