254 ANALYSES OF MAIZE. 



centum, when they decrease to 9-75 per centum. In the stalks, however, analogous 

 changes occur, an increase followed by a decrease. The alkalies of the sheaths, espe- 

 cially soda, diminish from 34 "48 to 22-44 per centum. The alkalies of the stalks diminish 

 from 35 in the case of soda, to 17-79; and in potash, from 13-36 to ll'll. 



As the most important elements of the fruit or grain are alkalies and phosphates, they 

 seem to be first elaborated in the leafy parts, or perhaps in connexion with the organic 

 matter, the fluids, vitalized and fitted to fulfil the most important ofiices in the most im- 

 portant parts. A direct transference from the soil to the seed would seem to put them in 

 this important part unprepared, and hence they pass into the foliage, and there undergo 

 those changes which especially fit them for the office of continuing the species. Hence, 

 too, in the ripening of seed, the source of nutriment is the foliage, and hence too the most 

 important matters may appear to have diminished in amount. The silica, however, being 

 required in seed for the purpose of protecting it, is rarely if ever in such abundance as to 

 diminish the amount of it in leaves and stalks. Hence the proportion is relatively greater 

 in the ripe than in the unripe stem ; and so too as silica is the element of support and 

 strength, it is the more necessary to the foliage when exposed to winds and rains until it 

 attains its full size and growth : it is required here ; but in the fruit, silica would be a 

 damage, except as a thin covering to protect the soft and delicate embryo. 



The foregoing facts are a clue to the true and proper time for cutting corn as a fodder ; 

 inasmuch as it is evident it ought to be done before the phosphates and alkalies pass to 

 the seed and fruit, and before the silica predominates so far as to reach its maximum quan- 

 tity. Just before and at the period of blossoming, analysis shows that they should be cut. 

 Then too the stalks and leaves are less woody : there is less fibre and more nutritious 

 matter in the same weight. The leaf particularly becomes woody and siliceous. The 

 stalk, when of moderate size, is more valuable than the leaf. 



ON THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF CORN FOLIAGE FOR FODDER. 



Having stated at considerable length the proportions of the parts composing the maize 

 plant, and also the composition of its organic and inorganic matters, I propose now to 

 consider some of those properties which indicate its relative value as a cereal, and its im- 

 portance as one of the nutriments designed for man and animals. 



On this last point, I may remark here that the importance of this grain is indicated in 

 the great extent of territory over which it is susceptible of cultivation. To the north, it is 

 not forced from the soil by cold until we reach a latitude of near 50 degrees. So its cul- 

 tivation is feasible as far south of the equator ; and under the equator, it is grown at an 

 elevation of 7500 feet. In the latitude of Albany, it nearly reaches its vertical limit of 

 cultivation at the height of 12 or 1500 feet. The extent of its cultivation is of course 



