CHAP. 

 XIII. 



652 MAIZE 



" It seems evident that as a rule the ash of corn [maize 

 grain] contains at least 95 per cent of the phosphates of potas- 

 sium and magnesium, about twice as much potash as magnesia 

 being present " (Hopkins, 3). 



An extended investigation of the ash of maize grain, with 

 reference to its content of fertilizing elements, was made by 

 Scovell and Peter at the Kentucky Station (Rep. 1891). They 

 found an average of 51 -91 per cent phosphoric oxide (P 3 5 ) 

 and 29-15 per cent of potassium oxide (K.,0). 



The low percentage (2 -2) of lime has an important bearing 

 on the feeding value of maize for growing pigs ; whether used 

 alone or with skim milk only, the addition of some substance 

 containing more bone-making material is necessary. It is 

 found that maize-fed pigs readily eat ashes to which they are 

 allowed access. 



The following is the distribution of the ash in the grain 

 of a medium protein-content maize, as determined by Hop- 

 kins (3):— 



Table XCV. 



DISTRIBUTION OF ASH IN MAIZE. 



In Tip Cap . . . . 

 In Hull 



Total in Pericarp 

 In Horny Gluten 

 In Horny Starch 



Total in Horny Endosperm 

 In Crown Starch 

 In Tip Starch . 



Total in Starchy Endospern 



Total in Endosperm . 

 In Embryo or " Germ " 



Total . . . . 



fo6 

 3-06 



9-56 

 738 



2-67 



t'72 



607. Water. — Water is essential to the animal metabolism. 

 But it is usually obtainable with so little difficulty from other 

 sources than the foodstuffs that the relative value of foodstuffs 

 is, as a rule, calculated on the basis of water-free material. 



