130 



JLALN'E STATE COLLEGE. 



August 15, ears beginning to form. 



August 2S, a few roasting ears 



September i, all roasting stage — 

 September 12, some ears glazing . . 

 September 21, all ears glazed 



* Probably somewhat too low. 



It appears from the figures that not only is there a constant and 

 large growth of starch and sugars up to the condition of maturity 

 of the corn plant, but these valuable compounds increase more rapidly 

 than certain less important constituents, so that the mature plant sub- 

 dance is of better quality than at any previous stage of growth. 



Sr^iTAKY. 



(1.) Under the conditions existing in Maine the varieties of Flint 

 Corn which mature in the state furnish fodder or silage material 

 much more valuable, pound for pound of fresh weight, than it is 

 possible to secure with the larger varieties of Dent Corn which do 

 not mature. 



i 2. ) The Flint varieties of corn should always be allowed to ma- 

 ture, as there is a large and continuous production of plant substance 

 up to the period of full maturity. Harvesting half grown or im- 

 mature corn is a wasteful practice. 



(3.) Owing to the relatively large production of sugars and starch 

 in the late stages of growth, a pound of the dry substance of the 

 mature well-eared corn plant possesses a higher nutritive value than 

 at any earlier stage of growth. 



W. H. JOEDAX. 



Maine State College, 

 Oeo.vo, Me., Maech 1, 1S95. 



