266 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



One bushel of corn produces 

 1.8 lbs of oil, 

 2.7 lbs. of oil meal, 

 36 lbs. dry starch, 

 7 lbs. of gluten and 



MAJNTUTACTURED PRODUCTS FROM CORN STALKS. 



In the corn belt very few of the corn stalks are fed. The corn is largely husked 

 from the stalk and the cattle of the farm may be turned into the field to graize upon 

 the stover and to pick up the ears that may have been left by the buskers. 



In the spring the remaining stalks are broken down or broken down and cut 

 into short lengths by a machine made for the purpose, and plowed under. In 

 .some sections the stalks are raked into piles and burned. 



Of late years factories have sprung up where farmers are offered perhaps $3 

 per ton for their corn stalks. Here the woody outside portions of the stalks are 

 removed, ground up and sold back to farmer or feeder at perhaps $6 per ton. 

 The pith is saved. Portions of it are pressed into solid cakes to be placed between 

 the outer and inner walls from somewhat below to a little above the water line 

 of our great battle ships. If now in battle a projectile should penetrate the side 

 iof the ship belov/ the water line, the moment the water began to enter the opening 

 thus made it would come in contact with the pressed corn pith, the pith would 

 swell and close, or seal up the opening and shut out the water. 



Other portions of the pith are iised for making ■ 

 A very fine quality of varnish, 



The best grades of smokeless powder and dynamite, 

 A fine quality of paper similar to linen paper, and for 

 Lining between the walls of refrigerators and refrigerator cars. 



Space will not allow more than the mere mention of the fact that large quan- 

 tities of corn are used in the manufacture of distilled products and special foods 

 such as hominies, meals, fiour, etc. But we have perhaps obtained some new idea 

 of the magnitude and usefulness of this wonderful crop. 



CORN PRODUCTION. 



The corn crop will depend upon 



1. The seed you use, 



2. The soil, 



(a) The kind of, 

 (&) Its condition as to 

 Moisture, 

 Temperature, 



Ease of entrance of air. (All of which will depend not only 

 upon the kind of soil but also the organic matter in the soil 

 and upon the care given to its preparation.) 



3. The care exercised in the preparation of the land, 



4. Time of planting, 



5. Care given to the crop after planting, and 



6. Its place in the rotation. 



SEED. 



Some farmers are satisfied to select their seed corn from the crib in the spring. 

 This is unwise and it cannot be expected that seed so selected can give the best 

 returns iii crops. 



The seed can best be gathered from the standing stalk because here the stalk 

 as well as the ear can be studied, and it makes a good deal of difference to the 

 average Michigan grower whether the plant he is growing is of good fodder type 

 or not. The things especially sought with us are: 



' 1. Good ears — two on a stalk if possible, 



2. Good fodder stalks, and 



3. Early maturing. 



