136 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
extent, there was found a comparatively small number of fat globules in 
the washings of these specimens of oleomargarine. 
The sugar present in analyses Nos. 5, 7, and 8 indicates beyond doubt 
the addition of this substance to the butter and the samples of oleomar- ~ 
garine. The small qpantity in the other samples may be due to the 
products of decomposition in the butter analyzed, which products de- 
ported themselves in a manner similar to sugar in their effects upon the 
reagents used in the analysis. 
These analyses show the American butters to be fully as good as the 
foreign butters, and, in fact, the specimens of French, Danish, and Swiss 
butters were in such condition of rancidity when received that they 
would hardly count as third-rate butters in our markets. 
There appears to be no reason to doubt that good American butters 
could compete favorably in the South American market with either of 
those examined. 
ANALYSIS OF CORN-COBS. 
A sample of corn-cob meal received from Henry C. Hallowell, Sandy 
Spring, Md., gave, upon analysis, the following results: 
Per cent. 
Water .2 cs woos, Poedsceelscwe cuee cae ces cacank scesccetecceesce seee ee ee eee 14.42 
MEARE eis nas icon aati ea/ cet cov cab tee tuseco ce dene cues ccee Cenk Cee eee 2 
DUPADES wos 5) Wate coud woe case ees pees obs Glee hace osc DoS e eee ne eee 2. 62 
ABN cons cic coud casdeatnasiswehonicsesek Sebebe oeee tocas os bot ee eee 2533 
Gare. aw aactec ce cacsicds sacar ens owe e oe nese ees Senin oe one sone a eee mS 7/ 
Cellulose (soluble) and starch =< ios. 22. cnccce ccocce ecomne bau cee econ cee 41. 62 
CAE Te S72 ae ee A ee a Ne A Re 8 36. 10 
a se ebbae co ciulc Gu dues Cae aceeaeseecaee betas beac stre ueee ee 1.12 
100. 00 
As will be seen from the above analysis, there are present several 
constituents in appreciable quantity of acknowledged nutritive value, 
while under the head of soluble cellulose and starch, constituting 41.62 
per cent., we have a substance which, in all probability, may undergo 
digestion and assimilation, but concerning the real function of which 
little at present is known, and repeated and careful food experiments 
with the live animal are needed. : . 
It is, however, of importance to add that a large percentage of our 
best grasses consists of this same form of cellulose, which is not starch 
nor common cellulose, but a substance readily dissolved by weak acid 
solutions. There is but a small quantity of starch present, as is also 
true of our common grasses. The question as to: the real food value of 
corn-cob meal is one frequently under discussion, and it is greatly to be 
desired that experiments be made and the results recorded. 
From the above analysis it appears to be established that corn-cob 
meal, instead of being a worthless addition to cornmeal, does possess a 
positive nutritive value of its own, and it may be that this value is very 
much greater than is commonly supposed. 
ANALYSIS OF BREWERS’ GRAINS. 
A sample of brewers’ grains received from Francis J. Geis, Dobbs 
Ferry, New York, was submitted to analysis with the following results: 
For purpose of comparison an analysis of brewers’ grains published in 
the tables of Professors Wolff and Knop is also given, calculated to 
the same percentage of water found in the sample analyzed from Mr. 
Geis, from which it will be seen that the composition is a pretty con- 
stant one. 
