192 ANALYSES OF MAIZE. 



TIMK. OMEKTATIONS, PARTS AND PROPORTIONS. QUANTITIES. PERCBNTAOE. 



October la 10. Silks 81- grs. 



Water 664 81-975 



Dry matter 14-6 18-026 



Ash -99 1-222 



Percentage of ash calculated on the dry matter, 6*781 



Ash saline, with a slight taste of caustic potash. 



11. Nodes or joints of si alk .... 257 -C 



Water 216-35 83-987 



Dry matter 4125 16-013 



Ash 2-8 1-087 



Percentage of ash calculated on dry matter • 6 - 787 



Ash saline, with a slight taste of caustic potash. 



12. Roots 556- 



Water - • • - - - - 4276 76-906 



Dry matter 128-4 23-094 



Ash 5-3 -953 



Percentage of ash calculated on the dry matter, 4- 128 



COMPOSITION OF MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN. 



The variety of corn, the analysis of which follows, is the small 8-rowed yellow corn, 

 intermediate in size between the Canada corn and the 8-rowed white-flint. It was planted 

 early in May, and was nearly ripe the 11th of August. It was strongly glazed at this time, 

 and filled all the spaces upon the cob ; but the chit shrank some on drying. I am par- 

 ticular to mention the variety examined, inasmuch as varieties differ in composition, both 

 in the proximate elements and in the composition of the ash. Starch, in some varieties, is 

 a very prominent element, and the phosphates in some occur in greater quantities than in 

 others, while some varieties contain more oil than others. So during the periods of growth, 

 the elements continually vary, and yet indian corn has a composition peculiarly its own. 



I am not sure that I have obtained more than a proximate determination of the compo- 

 sition of this cereal ; still, I have obtained many facts of some importance, which I shall 

 proceed to lay before the reader. One of the great difficulties met with in the outset of 

 the examination, or analysis of corn, is the want of a good ash. It is one of the most diffi- 

 cult of substances to burn. It is quite fusible when combustion has gone so far as to form 

 an ash of a part of the material ; and when this fusion occurs, it is better to begin anew, 

 than to proceed farther with the matter. The ash, however, may be obtained in a per- 

 fectly white color, and free from coal, by proceeding in a certain manner. It should be 

 burned at a low temperature, in a wide-mouthed crucible or capsule, and sufficient time 

 be given it to consume. After the first part of the combustion, or tlie oil has been burnt 

 off, it may be kept at a low red heat ; but if it becomes quite red from a slight inattention. 



