IMPORTANT INVENTION. 203 



IMPORTANT INVENTION FOR THE GROWERS OF INDIAN CORN. 



NEW METHOP OF DRYING GRAIN AND MEAL. 



It needs no argument to show the great value of this invention, if it will, as 

 stated — and, we doubt not, very honestly stated — " occupy less space, cost less 

 money, take less fuel, and do more work than any other Dryers ;" and when to 

 this is added the fact that it proposes a system of desiccation which will defy 

 the effect of sea voyages and of time — and, moreover, that, by means of it, corn 

 meal may be delivered in England at a less price than their hay, who can fail to 

 perceive the great power of this new invention for the benefit of the grain grow- 

 er, or calculate the extent to which it will be brought into play ? It is a problem 

 to be ascertained, and the solution of which is not difficult, at what cost corn 

 meal would profitably supersede oil-cake, barley, beans, oatmeal, &c., now used 

 as food for domestic animals in England ? 



Turning back for some evidence of the sensibility we were conscious of having 

 felt to the importance and the value to our country of employing Indian meal as 

 food for cattle, and the increased demand which might be expected for that grain 

 to be thus used, if it could be introduced in England, we find the following re- 

 marks, published in the American Farmer of April 2, 1819 — more than 28 years 

 ago — by the same hand that is now here recalling attention to that subject. It 

 would seem to have been one of those coming events which " cast their shadows 

 before." In a history then and there given of two remarkable beeves, the " Del- 

 aware ox" and " Columbus," fed and fattened by that experienced and judicious 

 grazier and victualer, the late John Barney, of Delaware, we made this observa- 

 tion, the correctness of which universal experience sustains: " He, Mr. B., con- 

 siders that, as a means of fattening cattle, this country possesses, in its Indian 

 corn, an advantage over England, for which she has no equal adequate substi- 

 tute. He gives the preference to Indian meal, over every other species of food, 

 for fattening either sheep or cattle, and gives it in its dry, unsifted state. But he 

 gives it as his opinion that a much less quantity of meal will answer, and that 

 it is eaten with better appetite, when used in conjunction with ruta-haga. Of 

 this root he has the highest opinion, concurring with Mr. Cobbett in the belief 

 that it is sweeter and far more nutritious than any other root or vegetable used 

 as feed for live-stock." At that time corn at Baltimore was 55 cents a bushel. 

 If this Dryer (which we do not doubt) will perform what is specified, then will 

 the two impediments have been removed which have heretofore prevented the 

 use of our Indian corn meal as food for stock in England. 



First — Here is a mode of drying which prevents all danger of the meal becom- 

 ing sour or musty ; and, secondly, the ports of England have been opened to the 

 importation of it. Let us exert ourselves for improvement in all departments ; 

 hold on, in the mean time, to that which is good, and hope for the best. 



Any one having doubts to express, or inquiries to make, may address them- 

 selves to the Editor of The Farmers' Library', who engages, for the interest he 

 advocates, to tell the truth though the Heavens fall. 

 remarks. 



The Patentee of " Stafford's Drj-ers " at a 

 former period was very extensively engaged 

 in milling and distilling, and for the past two 



(443) 



years has devoted much of his time in inves- 

 tigating the means by which bread-stuffs may 

 l)e preserved without deterioration, not only 

 for home consumption, but for foreign ex- 



