7Q« MAIZE 



chap, of cheap printing paper. The pith-pulp in its dry state is very 

 XVII. narc l ) anc ] j n som e ways resembles horn; it has limited water 

 and grease proof qualities, which might make it of value in 

 certain grades of wrappings. Its remarkable bending qualities 

 when slightly moist would probably make it serviceable in the 

 production of box board. 



" From the results of these tests already completed it is safe 

 to conclude that one ton (2,000 lbs.) of bone-dry stalks will 

 yield about as follows: Food extract, 300 lbs. ; long fibre, 300 

 lbs. ; pith, 600 lbs. ; waste, 800 lbs." 



Writing in June, 1910, the Agricultural Technologist of 

 the United States Department of Agriculture reported : — 



"This office has in charge projects for the utilization of 

 corn stalks for paper, and incidentally we are at work on making 

 a food extract of commercial value. But it is quite safe to say 

 that at the present time no process can be recommended as 

 having stood the test of practical manufacture. With the 

 increasing price of wood and other sources of paper it is quite 

 possible that corn stalks may be utilized as raw material for 

 paper." 



766. Cellulose. — The inside of the maize stalk is a pithy 

 mass mainly composed of cellular tissue, free from sap and 

 other impurities. It therefore furnishes a nearly pure " natural " 

 cellulose, easily and cheaply produced from an almost inex- 

 haustible supply. In the United States, according to Dodge 

 (1), this pith is extracted by machinery, and is used in the 

 manufacture of celluloid, paper-pulp, a floor-covering resem- 

 bling linoleum, viscose nitrates, insulation for refrigerator 

 trucks, steam-pipe and boiler coverings, and dry cells for elec- 

 tric storage batteries. 



Treated with nitric and sulphuric acids cellulose produces 

 guncotton. Guncotton and nitro-glycerine form smokeless 

 powder. Pyroxylin varnish is a by-product obtained in the 

 manufacture of cellulose. It is stated that " this source of 

 cellulose will make possible the practical production of many 

 articles that have heretofore been only made as the result of. 

 laboratory experiments " {Watts, quoted by Dodge, 1). 



An interesting use of the cellulose obtained from maize 

 stalks was recorded by Cramp (1) as follows : — 



