HARVESTING. 99 



CHAPTER VIII. 



HARVESTING. 



The general results of investigation indicate 

 that when the kernel on the ear has become 

 glazed or hard on the surface, even though 

 somewhat soft within, it contains as much nu- 

 triment as it will possess at any time. Further 

 ripening does not seem to materially affect the 

 grain composition. 



Time for cutting. — In experiments at the 

 Iowa station* five plats were cut at periods 

 varying from Sept. 17 to Oct. 13. Plat I was 

 cut when the kernels were "in the dough," not 

 quite all dented, and leaves greeii; plat II, ker- 

 nels well dented and leaves just beginning to 

 dry; plat, III, kernels ripened and blades about 

 half diy; plat IV, kernels i;horoughly ripened 

 and blades and husk rapidly drying up; plat 

 V, blades and husk nearly all dry. There was 

 no noteworthy difference in crude protein in 

 the dry matter between the first and last cut- 



* Bulletin 23, Iowa agricultural experiment station, 1893, 

 pp. 874-880. 



