FIELD CROPS. 



625 



The solubility of the different portions of the stalk in acid and alkali 

 alone and successively was studied, as well as the furfurol content of the 

 samples. 



"The composition of the samples, as determined by successive digestion with acid 

 and alkali, and determination of the other ingredients on a water-free basis, is 

 shown by the following table: 



Composition of pith and internodes of stalks of maize. 



Division of stalk. 



Nodes 



Pith from internodes . . 

 Shells from internodes 



Proteids. 



Per cent. 

 4.69 

 3.76 

 2.57 



Fat. 



Per cent. 



1.01 



1.26 



.82 



Insoluble Soluble 

 carbohy- carbohy- 

 drates, drates. 



Per cent. 

 33.81 

 35.64 

 39.43 



Per cent. 

 58.23 

 56. 33 

 44.86 



Ash. 



Per cent. 

 2.26 

 3.01 

 2.04 



"These data show that if the matters are treated with both alkali and acid in 

 preparing them for paper pulp they will yield of that material only about one-third 

 of their weight. On the other hand, when treated by an alkali or acid alone they 

 will yield about one-half of their weight as paper pulp." 



The kinds and quantities of sugar obtained from the different por- 

 tions of the stalk by hydrolysis were determined, and also the celluloses 

 as separated by the chlorination process. The results of the study of 

 the stalks was summarized as follows : 



"Summing up the results of the investigations, it is seen that the material exam- 

 ined consists of several different kinds of matter. It contains a small quantity of 

 mineral matter, of ash, of proteid matter, and of matter soluble in ether, but is 

 chiefly composed of carbohydrate material. This material is of various kinds. A 

 part of it will yield by hydrolysis with an acid a small quantity of dextrose capable 

 of fermentation. A larger part, on hydrolysis, is converted into a pentose sugar, pre- 

 sumably xylose, incapable of fermentation, but capable of reducing an alkaline 

 copper solution. Another quantity, perhaps larger than that just mentioned, passes 

 into solution under the influence of hydrolyzing agents, but does not seem to pro- 

 duce a sugar capable of reducing alkaline copper solution. The largest portion of 

 carbohydrate matter consists of cellulose of 2 varieties, which may be designated 

 as a and (1. Both of these celluloses are insoluble in chlorin, but the (i cellulose 

 may be dissolved in dilute nitric acid. The bodies which are capable of yielding 

 furfurol consist largely of xylan and allied pentosan substances. There is, however, 

 as the data have shown, a considerable quantity of matter present capable of yielding 

 furfurol on distillation with hydrochloric acid, and yet not possessing the properties 

 of pentosan bodies. The character and quantity of this furfurol-yielding complex 

 is not known, and requires further investigation for its separation and study. It is 

 evident that the material could not be profitably employed as a source of ethylic 

 alcohol, as the quantity yielded is not quite 2 per cent in weight of the whole mass. 

 The possibility of obtaining methyl alcohol from this matter by distillation in closed 

 retorts is a subject for further investigation." 



Corncobs were found to consist of 1.5 per cent pith and 98.5 per cent 

 shell. 



"The pith of the corncob has many of the properties characteristic of that of the 

 stalk; is finer in texture, however, and less absorptive. By experiment it was found 

 that 1 gm. of the air-dry pith absorbs 10.43 gm. of water. The chemical composi- 

 tion of the pith and the shell of the cob are found in the following table." 

 14270— Xo. 7 3 



