98 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. \ 



to its extensive use in brewing and to its cultivation being more local- 

 ized than is the case with other grains. 



4. In the case of rice, the market value is entirely disproportionate to its 

 cash value as a food to the consumer. Among the causes to, which this 

 discrepancy is due may be mentioned the following: 



a. The uncertainty as to production, and the danger that unfavorable 

 seasons may cause greatly diminished crops. 



h. The comparatively small area in this country devoted to its culti- 

 vation ; and the expense entailed by the long and risky sea voyage, if it 

 be imported from India. 



c. The expense of preparing it for the market. 



d. The fact that the number of wholesale dealers is small, thus de- 

 priving consumers of the benefits of competition. 



e. The principal reason, however, seems to be that it is not here re- 

 garded as one of our staple foods, but rather as an accessory to be used 

 occasionally. 



5. By no means aU the circumstances affecting the market values have 

 been mentioned ; merely those which most evidently cause the selling 

 price to vary from the value as deduced from analysis. It wiU plainly 

 be seen that the farmer can best afford to sell those grains which have 

 a market value above their value as shown by analysis ; thus, at pres- 

 ent prices, corn is worth as a food nearly twice what it brings in the 

 market, while wheat and barley are worth less. 



These remarks will explain how values are deduced from analyses, and 

 the weight that should be given to the jjrices so obtained. 



ANALYSES OF IMMATURE SWEET CORN AND COBS. 



The ears were selected when the corn was " in the milk " and in the 

 best condition for table use. The corn and cob were carefully sex)arated, 

 partially dried, pulverized, and analyzed. 



The following are the results obtained: 



Coustitueuta. 



Moisture . 



Ash 



Cellulose . 

 Oils 



Sugars, &.• 



Zeiu 



Albuuieu 



Gum 



Starch; .. 



Adam's early com. 



Air-dry. Dry. 



8.42 

 3.09 

 3.10 

 4.18 

 8.84 

 6.0(5 

 9.5'J 

 .72 

 DG.07 



3.37 

 3.39 

 4.56 

 9.66 

 6.63 

 10.41 

 . .79 

 61. 19 



ICO. CO 



100. 00 



Mammoth sugar* 

 com. 



Air-dry. Dry. 



11.24 

 2.95 

 3.07 

 5.32 

 8.08 

 6.27 

 8.26 

 t2.95 

 51.85 



100. 00 



3.33 

 3.46 

 5.99 

 9.10 

 7.06 

 9.31 

 f3.32 

 58.44 



100. 00 



'Estimated by difference. Soluble in £0 per cent, alcohol and soluble in water. 



Ilncludcs a little soluble starch, which was not present in ji dam's early com. Soluble starch appears 

 to be foi-wfd from ordinary insoluble starch during the ripening of the grain of sweet corn ; it is not 

 present in riliencd field corn. (Hiee Agiicultural Department llcport for 1878, pp. 153-155.) 



