108 



VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



useful as food for horned cattle, which, from the sac- 

 charine quality of the plants, will thrive upon them. 



Ears of Maize in different stages. 



The ears are preserved in bins or cages which are 

 called corn-cribs, sometimes with the husk and at 

 other times without it, and it is not considered good 

 farming to shell the corn before it is required to 

 be sent to market. This operation of shelling is 

 very easily performed. The only implement required 

 for the purpose is a piece of iron in shape like a 

 sword-blade, the edge of which is not sharp, and 

 this iron being fixed acro?s the top of a tub in which 

 the shelled grains are to be collected, the ear is taken 



