226 



CORN CROPS 



RELATIVE PBOPOKTION 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 subject and reported the following 



results : ^ — ■ 



TABLE LVI 



Percentage op Total Dry Matter in Leaves, Stalks, and 

 Ears op Corn Plants at Four Stages op 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 very 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 : — 



1 U.' S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 97: 9-12. 



