238 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



The phosphates, which are always present in corn, are, how- 

 ever, distributed unequally in the kernel. The chits, for instance, 

 contain a larger proportion than the other parts ; thus the chits 

 yield, on analysis — 



Phosphate of lime, 2.4 



" mao-nesia, . . . , 0.8 



Phosphoric acid and a little silica, potash, and oxide 

 of iron, 3.2 



6.4 



Ey soaking a kernel in various chemical solutions, the different i 

 elements may be tested ; thus the tincture of iodine colors the starchi 

 blue, sulphate of copper colors the phosphatic portions a pale« 

 green, forming with them a phosphate of copper. In this way Dr. 

 Jackson has tested directly the presence of the most importantiBj 

 bodies in Indian corn. A colored lithographic plate is given upon 

 which this new and interesting mode of analysis is very satifacto- 

 rily shown. The proximate elements differ in quantity in the dif- 

 ferent kinds of corn, or maize. Tuscarora corn contains the most 

 starch, and rice corn the least. Rice corn contains the most oil. 

 and Tuscarora corn none. The small Canada corn ranks next to 

 the rice corn in this particular. The presence of oil confers the 

 property of popping, as it is called. The oil serves to preveni 

 fermentation in the grain — Tuscarora corn meal sours very soon— 

 whereas, the meal of flint corn will keep sweet for years ; the for- 

 mer forms a good light food for horses, but not for fattening hogs 

 Too much oil in corn makes a dry bread, and hence requires th( 

 presence of gluten to stick it together. The proportions of oil ir 

 corn vary from six to eleven per cent. From the presence of th< 

 above elements, it is seen why corn is such an excellent food. 



1. It has abundance of starch for respiration and sustaining ani- 

 mal heat. 

 . 2. An oil for the fattening of animals. 



3. Phosphate for the bones. We see too, from these facts, lioi« 

 horses may be overfed by the rich grains ; the phosphates whicl 

 they contain being supplied in greater quantities to the system, i 

 is deposited as extraneous matter in the limbs of the animal. 



On the Improvement of Soilft. — To reclaim a soil from barren 

 ness, or to improve one of moderate fertility. Dr. J, remarks, re 



