258 COMPARATIVE VALUE OF CORN FODDER. 



manure for a maize crop; or, rather, that it is enough to furnish a manure which consists 

 of elements found in the grain or fruit. For the perfection of any crop, it is as nee 

 that the leaves, silks and tassels be furnished with their appropriate food, as the gram 

 itself; for it can not be doubted but that the grain itself depends upon the full development 

 of the parts which precede it. Supply them with matter suitable for their increase and 

 perfection, and the grain is supplied also. It must not be forgotten that these parts very 

 frequently contain elements which are not found, except in very small proportions, in tin' 

 seed or grain ; yet it is plain enough, that in some way or other, these elements are quite 

 essential to their perfection. 



The value of the maize crop does not depend solely upon its grain. The foliage, in- 

 cluding the stalk, is freely eaten by cattle and horses; and, if properly dried, it is by no 

 means an inferior kind of fodder. The amount of green foliage raised on an acre fur- 

 nishes two or three tons of dry fodder. By reference to the analyses of the foliage, pp. 

 225-6-7, the leaves, stalks, sheaths, tassels, etc. contain albumen, casein, dextrine, oil, 

 wax and sugar ; substances necessary to the sustenance of the animal body, and which are 

 required to supply the waste of the system. These are both nitrogenous and heat-producing 

 bodies, or contribute to the growth of muscle, the generation of heat, and the formation of 

 fat; and it will be seen that the amount of these elements is very considerable, from the 

 great amount of foliage produced. 



For a more satisfactory solution of the problem respecting the value of the maize plant 

 as a nutriment, it may be compared with several species of grasses. Nutriment for domestic 

 animals consists of bodies which have been described in the first part of this report; they 

 are mainly albuminous. Casein is found in milk, and exists in most vegetables in a mo- 

 dified form. Starch, dextrine, resin, oil and wax exist in all vegetables which are eaten 

 by cattle. The leaves and leafy parts furnish a mere trace of starch. Upon their surface 

 there exists a green coloring matter called chlorophyll which is insoluble in water, and 

 which is always associated with wax. The wax protects the surface from the action of 

 rain and dew ; and when the plant is cut for food, it supplies in the system (lie place of 

 oil, and aids in maintaining the temperature of the body. The chlorophyl and wax cover 

 the surfaces of fruits, and serve the same purposes as in the leaf, and impart that glossy 

 charactcr to the outside which is always admired in red and high colored fruits. Wax 

 and chlorophyl, as may be observed in the foregoing analyses, have always been obtained 

 from the stalks and foliage of corn (see pp. 224 and onward). 



The analyses of the young maize plant, very dry, cut July 5, gave the following results : 



Fibre or insoluble matter - - - - 59*00 



Sediment from the solution in water - - 3*72 



Albumen and casein - - - - - 7 '96 



Dextrine, sugar and extract .... 26 - 40 



Water 3"67 



100 -25 

 The wax was not obtained : it is a product, however, which varies less than most others. 



