MAIZE GRAIN AS FOOD 



693 



650. Maize Stalks as a Source of Sugar and Syrup. — CHAP. 

 Prescott (1), quoting Zuazo, states XIV - 



That the gigantic stalks of maize produced in the equinoc- 

 tial regions of Mexico " afford a saccharine matter not found 

 to the same extent in northern latitudes, and supplied the 

 Aztecs with sugar (see IF 653) little inferior to that of the 

 [sugar] cane itself, which [latter] was not introduced among 

 them till after the Conquest " (1521-2). 



Quite recently the question of the commercial production of 

 sugar from the maize stalk has been brought into prominence 

 in the United States by Mr. W. A. Kerr and Prof. Stewart. 

 These gentlemen state that if the ears are removed from the 

 growing maize stalk at a certain time before the plant ceases 

 growth it will continue to grow from four to six weeks beyond 

 its normal period, and that during that time the plant increases 

 in size and weight, and that the saccharine content increases to 

 more than double the normal amount. 



The following table of analyses, showing the progressive 

 stages of sugar accumulation in the juice from the beginning 

 to the close of the period of saccharine development, was pub- 

 lished in American Industries (February, 1910, pages 16 and 

 51), and is stated to be typical of the average result obtained 

 by Messrs. Kerr and Stewart : — 



Table CXVIII. 



SUGAR IN MAIZE JUICE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF PLANT 



GROWTH. 



1 The context indicates that by " sterilization " is meant the removal of the 

 ears before the growth of the plant has ceased. 



