X\^L 



MAIZE. 



h HARVESTING AND PRESERVATION. 



340. Harvesting. — Although there has been considerable 

 progress in the harvesting of maize, no such profound changes 

 have been made as those noted in the harvesting of the small 

 grains. The larger part of the crop is still husked by hand 

 from the standing plant and cattle allowed to roam over the 

 husked fields to pick up neglected ears and nubbins, and to 



feed upon the leaves and huskj.. 



Attempts to husk the standinj^; 



maize by machinery have not met 



with success. 



341. Storing. — After bein|i; 

 husked, the ears of maize are 

 stored in ventilated (slatted) bins, 

 called cribs, in order that the ex- 

 cess of moisture may evaporate 

 before the grain is shelled. (233) 

 While on the ear, the grain is not 

 readily injured for feeding pur- 

 poses by exposure to atmospheric 

 conditions, but when shelled is subject to heating and molding, 

 if not thoroughly air-dry. A difference of two per cent in 

 moisture content may materially influence the keeping quality 

 of the shelled grain. 



When maize is stored in the ear, it is particularly subject 

 to attacks from rats and mice because of the facility with which 

 these vermin may pass between the ears. Special precautions 



Maize harvester and shocker; shock is 

 built upon the platform by the ma- 

 chine, after which it is raised by the 

 derrick and placed upon the ground, 

 out of the way of the machine on its 

 next round. 



