20 AMEKICAN EXPORT CORN ( MAIZE ) IN EUROPE, 



deck, passing thence as water to other parts of the hold, where it 

 condenses on the cooler corn, the cooler deck, and the sides of the 

 ship. This process, augmented as time goes on by the second means, 

 may increase considerably the moisture content of the corn in some 

 portions of the hold or cargo. 



The second means by which the moisture content of the corn may 

 be increased is by changes in the chemical composition of the kernel, 

 the effect of which is more evident in corn that is heating badly. 

 Conditions of temperature and moisture may be favorable in some 

 part of a cargo for fermentation to begin and continue with more or 

 less vigor. The heat generated in this process is gradually trans- 

 mitted to the surrounding portions, starting and increasing fer- 

 mentation, which decomposes the grain and liberates its water of 

 composition, thus increasing the amount of moisture in some por- 

 tions or in the whole cargo, if conditions are not disturbed, without 

 any addition whatever of moisture from outside sources. 



From these causes the corn in many of the ships examined was 

 found to be damp and heating at the top, while that beneath was 

 cool, and the iron decks and sides of the ships were found to be quite 

 wet with the condensed moisture from the heating corn. 



THE "germinating SEASON." 



In the grain trade the ''germinating season," so called, is under- 

 stood to be a special season of the year during which grain is cus- 

 tomarily planted in the ground. The limits of this season are not 

 very clearly defined, but it is generally understood to extend from 

 about the middle of March to the middle of June. It is generally 

 believed that there is a natural and inherent tendency in grain to 

 germinate during that season, and that the heating of grain in storage 

 and in transit during those months is due primarily to this tendency. 



From the nature of the damage usually found in corn in a heating 

 or hot condition in storage or in ships in transit there seems to be 

 good reason for doubting that the germinative processes are respon- 

 sible for the damage, as such corn does not usuall}^ appear to have 

 germinated. Sprouted corn was occasionally found in the cargoes 

 examined, but only at the top of the bulk, where considerable addi- 

 tional moisture had been supplied, either through condensation, as 

 described elsewhere, or from outside sources. 



CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO GERMINATION. 



In order that coin or any of the grains may germinate there must 

 be present: (1) Air or oxygen; (2) heat; and (3) moisture. If one 

 or more of these are absent germination will not take place, but if 

 all are present at the same time and in sufficient quantities and the 



[Cir. 55] 



