14 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



whenever the grains might find lodgment in the soil and begin growth 

 to form new corn plants. 



26. Fiber. The stalks of corn must be strong and sturdy to carry the 

 abundant foliage and particularly the heavy ear hence the increase in 

 fiber, the woody framework of the plant, which was especially rapid till 

 the skeleton of the plant was grown. 



27. Nitrogen-free extract. The nitrogen-free extract, the most valu- 

 able portion of the carbohydrates, increased more than 2.5 tons between 

 tasseling and ripening and amounted to 6,336 Ibs. when the crop was 

 mature. About 60 per ct. of this was starch, stored chiefly in the corn 

 kernels. At the silk stage the crop contained only about 500 Ibs. of 

 starch, but after this it increased rapidly as the kernels filled and 

 matured. 



Tho the sugars were being steadily formed in the leaves of the 

 plants, they did not increase to any material degree after the milk 

 stage. As the sugars were formed they were continuously being trans- 

 ferred to other parts, especially the swelling kernels of the ear. Here 

 a large portion was changed to starch and compactly stored about the 

 germs to serve as food for the future plantlets. Another portion of 

 the sugars was changed into cellulose to form the woody framework 

 of the plant structure. The elements of a third portion were combined 

 with nitrates and other mineral matter from the soil to form the nitrog- 

 enous amids and proteins. The other soluble carbohydrates included 

 in the nitrogen-free extract consisted chiefly of the more soluble pen- 

 tosans and celluloses. These increased up to the glazing stage. 



These studies show most clearly the heavy losses of valuable nutri- 

 ents which are sure to occur when a crop of Indian corn is harvested 

 too early. Formerly corn was often cut for silage before the kernels 

 had started to glaze. This not only resulted in a great loss of feed, 

 but also in a sour silage of only fair quality. As is pointed out in 

 a later chapter, experience has shown that corn should not be ensiled 

 until the kernels have hardened and glazed (with the dent varieties, 

 nnt.il the kernels are well dented). The crop should, however, be cut 

 for silage while most of the leaves are yet green and succulent. (299) 



