230 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



2. Medium mature (coarse dents) : Leaming, Early Masto- 

 don, Red Cob Silage and White Cap Yellow Dent. 



3. Immature (very coarse dent) : Brewer's, Klondike and 

 Wing's Improved White Cap. 



4. Very immature (very coarse dent) : Eureka. 



The average water content of the four groups was as fol- 

 lows : — 



Per Cent. 



Mature, 74.34 



Medium mature, 75.40 



Immature, 79,15 



Very immatui'e, .......... 82.58 



While there is a gradual diminution in the water content 

 from the time that the ears are formed until maturity, as shown 

 by this table, the total dry matter gradually increases to ma- 

 turity.^ 



It is not believed that, owing to individual variations, con- 

 clusions can be readily drawn relative to the chemical composi- 

 tion of the different varieties. By averaging the four groups 

 previously given the following results are obtained : — 



Dry Matter {Per Cent.). 



The very green, immature corn contains a larger relative 

 percentage of protein, but more of it in the amido form.- The 

 fat, and particularly the nitrogen-free extract matter, increase 

 the more mature the variety. This is to be expected, for the 

 corn is a carbohydrate plant, and stores up large amounts of 

 starch in the latter stages of its growth. As the starch increases 

 the percentage of fiber and ash relatively decrease. The ash is 

 always at its highest point in the early stages of development. 



■ Ladd, N. Y. Exp. Sta., Rept., 1889. 



' Eighth Ann. Rept. N. Y. Exp. Sta., p. 90. 



