CROPS 



1^5 



nary rice, and it is even more prolific, but only one crop can 

 be obtained per annum instead of two. 



Whole rice, or "paddy" — i.e., the seed with its husk — contains 

 a fair amount of ash constituents and protein, but the ordinary 

 white rice, deprived of its husk, consists very largely of starclr 

 and contains very little ash. The " hulls " or husks, bran and 

 rice polish are much richer in ash, fat and protein. 



Composition of Rice Grain, Husk, Bran and "Polish." 



Maize, Indian corn, oo' " mealies " (Zea mays) is perhaps, 

 next to rice, the most extensively cultivated of all the cereals. 

 It was grown by the aborigines of America ; hence the name 

 " Indian corn," by which it is widely known in England. In 

 the United States of America it is usually called corn, the 

 other cereals being known as grain. In South Africa it is 

 always known as "mealies." In England maize (imported) is 

 chiefly used for fattening animals, but in America and other 

 countries it is also largely used for human food. The grain, 

 when crushed or ground, can be fed to horses, mules, or cattle, 

 can be ground to meal and flour and used as porridge for 

 human food, while the unripe grain on the cob is boiled and 

 considered a dainty by some people. The green leaves and 

 stalks can be used as fodder for animals or made into excellent 

 silage, while the spathes or sheaths of the ear can be made 

 »nto paper. By fine grinding and removal of the bran-like 



