AMERICAN EXPORT CORN (mAIZE) IN EUROPE. 23 



THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF CORN FROM ARGENTINA. 



With respect to its moisture content, the corn received in Europe 

 from Argentina upi)oars to have an advantage over corn from the 

 United States, notwithstancHng that it must cross the equator and 

 the Toriid Zone in transit to Europe. A number of tests of Argen- 

 tine corn showed moisture contents ranging from 12.2 to 15.5 per 

 cent. The corn witli the higher moisture content frecpiently arrived 

 in a heating condition but was restored to condition, without much 

 or any change from its original appearance and color, with but little 

 handling and ventilating. 



THE DIRT AND FOREIGN MATTER IN CORN. 



During the process of loading grain into the hold of a ship, the 

 finely broken particles of corn, dirt, and foreign matter t^nd to collect 

 and remain directly beneath the hatches, the whole kernels shifting 

 and rolling much more readily than the broken particles and dirt. 

 Owing to this tendency large amounts of dirt and finely broken corn 

 were frequently found immediately beneath the hatches of the ships 

 examined, and heating and moldy corn was also frequently found 

 in those localities. The heating processes were undoubtedly aided 

 by these collections of fuier matter, especially when found in contact 

 with damp shifting boards or other cargo intioduced into the hold in 

 a dai'^'o or wet condition. 



THE STOWAGE OF EXPORT GRAIN IN SHIPS. 



Practically all of the grain that is exported to Europe from the 

 Atlantic and Gulf ports of the United States is carried in bulk, with 

 the exception of small quantities placed in sacks, which is used in 

 trimming cargo in order to prevent the bulk grain from shifting with 

 the rolhng and pitching of the ship. When a ship carries a full cargo 

 each hold is, of course, filled or nearly filled with grain, but when 

 grain forms only a portion of the cargo one or more holds are some- 

 times filled with grain only and the remaining holds contain other 

 freight, while in other cases the grain is distributed along the bottom 

 of the ship, each hold containing about the same depth of grain, m 

 wiiich cases other cargo is stowed on the top of the grain. 



THE STOWAGE OF DRY AXD DAMP CORN. 



"When the com is thoroughly air dried it is not a matter of great 

 importance where or how it is stowed, so hmg as it does not come into 

 contact with sea water, green or wet shifting boards, or damp or wet 

 freight, such as cotton that has been exposed to rain before being 

 loaded, wet lumber, etc. 



[Cir. 5.5] 



