CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FEEDING STUFFS 



55 



* 1000 grams equal 2.2 pounds avoirdupois. 



Similar results were obtained at Geneva (N. Y.), Maine, and 

 other stations in studies of the development of the corn plant from 

 tasseling to maturity. 5 



Chemical Changes in the Corn Crop toward Maturity 



Yield per acre 



Ripe 



Gross weight, tons 



Dry matter, pounds 



Ash, pounds 



Crude protein, pounds . . . 



Fiber, pounds 



Nitrogen-free extract, 



pounds 



Fat, pounds 



14.2 

 7918 



364 



678 

 1734 . 



4828 

 314 



The data given in the table show how rapidly the yields of feed 

 materials increase with the advancing age of the corn plant and also 

 how the increase during the latter stages of growth comes mainly 

 on the nitrogen-free extract (largely starch). Between tasseling 

 and maturity the corn plant will increase about 300 per cent in 

 dry matter, 100 per cent in protein, and over 400 per cent in carbo- 

 hydrate content, according to the average results of experiments 

 conducted at seven different stations. The largest amounts of feed 

 materials in the corn crop are not obtained until the corn is well 

 ripened ; when the plajits have reached their total growth in height 

 they contain only one-third to one-half of the weight of dry matter 

 which they will gain if left to mature. 



'Geneva, N. Y., Report, 1899; Maine Report, 1895; Purdue (Ind.) 

 Bui. 175; N. D. Bui. 117; Mo. Bui. 9. 



