30 



Indian corn is also practically the source of all the commercial 

 hols, Cologne spirits, high wines, and other alcoholic products made 

 in the United States. The distillation of high wines, Cologne spirits, 

 and alcohols is a great industry, consuming annually about 15,000,000 

 bushels, or 5,285,971 hectoliters of Indian corn. 



BY-PRODUCTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STARCH, GLUCOSE, 

 WHISKY, AND ALCOHOL. 



The glutinous and other residues from the manufacture of starch, 

 glucose, whisky, and alcohol are used as cattle feed. Formerly it was 

 the custom to employ these waste matters in the moist state, but in 

 most parts of the country this method has been superseded by the 

 method of drying the residues and selling them in the practically 

 anhydrous condition. In this state they are much more easily trans- 

 ported, the objectionable odors which were a predominant character- 

 istic of the moist foods are removed, and the wholesomeness of the food 

 is in every way promoted. The method of preparing these foods is 

 practically the same as that used in the saving of residues from brew- 

 eries for feeding purposes, and the nutritive value of the Indian-corn 

 residues is quite equal to that of brewers' grains. 



CONCLUSION. 



An attempt has thus been made to briefly review the chief points 

 connected with the constitution and economic value of the Indian- 

 corn plant. It is predominantly the characteristic cereal crop of the 

 United States, and its money value is, perhaps, greater than that of any 

 one crop, with the exception of cotton. It has been shown that it is a 

 valuable food for man and that it is the chief food of the domestic ani- 

 mals of our great country. In addition to this, large quantities of 

 starch are made from it, and also glucose and grape sugar. It not 

 only serves as our food, but also furnishes a part of our drink, in the 

 form of the various grades of Indian-corn whisky. In addition to this, 

 it is the source of an immense industry in the manufacture of alcohols, 

 high wines, and Cologne spirits. The stalks, which a few years ago 

 were considered an injurious residue, have been found to possess most 

 valuable properties as cattle food. Especially is this true of the outer 

 shells. The inner portion of the stalk the pith possesses remark- 

 able properties as an obturator in the manufacture of battle ships. It 

 possesses a high degree of resilience and porosity, and when perforated 

 by a shot or shell it instantly closes the aperture made by the projectile, 

 and thus prevents the entrance of water into the vessel. It also has 

 peculiar properties rendering it suitable for the manufacture of pyrox- 

 ylin varnishes, gun cotton, and high explosives. By reason of the 

 nature of its construction it is easily nitrated. The acids are completely 

 removed by washing, and the resulting compound is more stable, and 



