DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY. 299 



REMARKS ON THE PRECEDING TABLE. 



1. The amount of crude fibre (woody matter) relatively diminishes as the 

 corn approaches maturity, because there is so large increase of nitrogen free 

 extract (starch, sugar, gum, etc.) This is distinctly seen in the Hathaway 

 Dent, Breck's Boston Market, and White Dent, the three kinds having corn 

 well developed, the first named being nearest ripe. 



In the silo the crude fibre appears to increase, because of a sensible loss of 

 carbhydrates (nitrogen free extract) from fermentation. 



2. Crude protein includes all the nitrogenous materials usually called 

 albuminoids, and certain materials of less value as food, called amides. 



A small loss of crude protein is common in the silo, but the change from 

 albuminoid to amide condition of the nitrogen compounds is the most strik- 

 ing feature of ensiling. These two facts would point to a loss of value in 

 ensilage as compared with fresh cornstalks, or even the dry material when 

 it has been rapidly and perfectly cured. 



3. Ether extract includes not only the fat, but the waxy material, much 

 of the coloring matter, etc. The notable increase of the ether extract in 

 the ensilage, as compared with the cornstalks before ensiling, will attract 

 attention. It can hardly be supposed that carbhydrates are converted into 

 fat in the silo. 



4. The marked increase of nitrogen free extract (members of the starch 

 family) as the corn matures, and the progressive decrease of acid in the 

 ensilage, show how greatly the corn improves as it approaches ripening. The 

 relatively large amount of water and crude fibre in the young plant justifies 

 the epithets " slush," and " swill," as applied to the ensilage made from such 

 material. 



The progressive decrease of percentage of ash as the plant matures is 

 worth notice. In the experimental cuttings, No. 1 to No. 7, this change is 

 seen, also, the small amount of ash in the riper specimens : Hathaway Dent, 

 Breck's Boston Market and White Dent, and the larger amount in Parish 

 White Dent and Learning Fodder. This decrease follows the usual law in 

 plant growth. 



MARSH HAY. 



The wild grasses (sedges) that grow so abundantly in the marshes in many 

 parts of Michigan are often mowed and cured for hay. The value of this 

 marsh hay for fodder is a matter of uncertainty in public estimation, and 

 the experiment station has been invited to investigate and report. 



The value of this marsh hay will depend upon the kind of " grasses " used, 

 and the period of cutting, and the manner of curing. The coarse sedges, 

 covered with a sharp silicious crust when ripe, will make very inferior hay, 

 but the fine sedges made into hay before hardening and ripening, will make 

 a much better fodder. 



A good specimen of such marsh hay was obtained from Hon. A. C. Glidden 

 of Paw Paw, who spoke highly of its feeding quality. The analysis of this 

 material is given below, and shows that it compares favorably with the aver- 

 age of timothy hay. 



