THE PRODUCTION OF CORN OIL. 13 



is a question; but since the removal of practically all the fat would 

 concentrate the protein to some extent, it would seem, in view of 

 what has been said regarding the relative value of protein and fat 

 in feeds, that the feeding value would not be greatly diminished. 



BUYING AND SHIPPING CORN GERMS. 



Until a few years ago there was considerable trade in corn germs, 

 but this has almost entirely disappeared because no germs are to be 

 had. The attractive prices for oil have induced many manufacturers 

 of corn products, who formerly disposed of the germs to others, to 

 install expelling units and thus add a material source of profit to 

 their business. The very fact that there was a brisk demand for the 

 germs by oil manufacturers was convincing evidence that the expel- 

 ling of the oil was a profitable operation. 



Some difficulty is encountered in the shipping of corn germs 

 because of their tendency to spoil in transit, and the loss incident to 

 such spoilage has somewhat discouraged the practice. The germs are 

 shipped in bags, and with rapid shipment and the proper control of 

 moisture the spoilage can be reduced to a minimum. 



UTILIZATION OF CORN OIL. 



Corn oil has been used to a greater or less extent for most technical 

 purposes for which other vegetable oils are used. One of the prin- 

 cipal technical uses for which it has been in good demand is in the 

 preparation of rubber substitutes, for which it seems to be well 

 adapted. Both crude and refined oils are used for this purpose. 



Corn oil is still used in considerable quantities for soap making, 

 this being one of the principal uses for the poorer grades, which can 

 not be refined except at a large loss. The oil is very well adapted 

 for making soft soaps, but it is not so suitable for the harder and 

 better quality of soaps. The foots obtained on refining the crude 

 oil are, of course, used exclusively for soap making. 



It is reported that corn oil has been used in wool spinning where a 

 cheap noncombustible oil is demanded. The present price, however, 

 probably makes it uneconomical for that purpose. The iodin num- 

 ber also would indicate that it might not be entirely safe. 



In the manufacture of lubricants, corn oil has had a limited appli- 

 cation. For this purpose it has not been used alone, but has been 

 mixed with blown rape oil and mineral oil. However, the fact 

 that it has a tendency to gum makes it unsuitable for this purpose, 

 and its use in lubricants has practically ceased. 



Corn oil is classed sometimes as a nondrying oil and sometimes as 

 a semidrying oil. Its iodin value might place it in the semidrying 

 class, but it has few drying properties and does not form a hard 



