226 



CORN CROPS 



EELATIVE PROPORTION OF PARTS 



153. Before considering the time and method of 

 harvesting the whole plant, it will be well to note the 

 relative proportion and value of the different parts of the 

 corn plant at various stages of growth. The Michigan 

 station has studied this suljject and reported the following 

 results : ^ — 



TABLE LVI 



Percentage of Total Dry IMatter in Lb.aves, St.alks, and 

 Ears of Corn Plant.s at Pour Stages of Growth {Mich- 

 igan Station, 1896) 



COMPOSITION OF PARTS 



154. The total dry weight alone does not give a com- 

 parative statement of the relative feeding value of the 

 parts of a corn plant. The leaves are ver}^ high in al- 

 buminoids, while the stalks are low in these compounds. 

 Pound for pound, leaves are about twice as valuable as 

 stalks. A further study of the distribution of the princi- 

 pal compounds of the plant at different stages of growth 

 is reported as follows : — 



U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 



; 9-12. 



