246 COBN CROPS 



finds its way into the general markets. Of the total crop 

 produced in the United States, about 3 per cent is ex- 

 ported, hence a large share of the corn reaching the general 

 market is redistributed in the United States. 



The ear corn is usually stored on the farm in cribs hold- 

 ing 500 to 5000 bushels. When ready to market it is 



Fig. 85. — Large power corn sheller in operation on a farm. Will shell 

 400 bu. per hour. 



shelled out, with power shellers that handle 200 to 400 

 bushels per hour. The shelled grain is then hauled to a 

 local elevator where it is loaded on cars and shipped either 

 direct to a consumer, or to one of the large terminal ele- 

 vators, where the grain may be stored. 



Drying corn for shipment 

 177. Corn is comparatively easy to keep in storage, the 

 principal difficulties coming from excess moisture. When 

 corn is shipped in cars, from northern states to the south, 

 or when loaded in ships for export, there is great danger 

 that it will " go out of condition " if containing higher 

 than 15 per cent moisture. Large commercial driers are 

 now in general use, capable of drying several thousand 

 bushels a day, to 12 per cent moistmre. 



