FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 



141 



half billion bushels of grain, three fourths of the world's crop. 

 This is used as food for man and beast, and as material for the 

 manufacture of starch, alcohol, and many other products. 



The grain, however, does not form more than half the value of 

 the corn crop. The leaves and husks, or shucks, and stalk con- 

 tain more nourishment than 

 those of most other cereals, 

 and furnish a vast amount 

 of forage; one sixth of the 

 nourishment of the plant is 

 in the stalks. 



Paper and pasteboard are 

 made from cornstalk fiber, 

 and the pith furnishes mate- 

 rial for linoleum and the 

 packing for gunboats. Corn- 

 stalks are a valuable source 

 of commercial alcohol. This 

 is alcohol made unfit for 

 drinking, but useful for light, 

 heat, and power. Since the government tax has been removed 

 from commercial alcohol, corn growers have a new source of 

 profit and of cheap power, light, and fuel. The cornstalks from 

 an acre of corn yielding fifty bushels of grain produce about one 

 hundred gallons of alcohol. 



Range. Corn, being a tropical' plant, thrives best in a warm 

 climate and on a moist, fertile soil. It has, however, such power of 

 adapting itself to its surroundings that it has a wide range of soil 

 and climate, and it grows in all sections of the United States. 

 Indeed, the largest average yield of grain in the country is 

 in New England, with its poor soil and short growing season. 



Courtesy of Kentucky Agricultural Station 



UNIFORM EARS OF CORN 



