268 BROOM CORN. 



Note. The smut of the maize may often become a serious injury to a crop. It forms its black 

 smutty vesicles upon all parts, except perhaps the leaves. The ears, however, suffer the most, 

 inasmuch as this is the valuable part of the plant. Probably the period when the ear is forming 

 is the most favorable for the propagation and growth of this fungus. There can be but little 

 doubt but that the spores of the fungus are taken up by the roots, and conveyed in the sap to all 

 parts of the plant. Hence it should be a point to remove the smutted parts the moment they are 

 discovered, and to burn them. In a small field of maize, where last year (1847) there were only 

 a few infected stalks, they were multiplied this year more than ten times, and I believe solely 

 from the neglect to destroy the fungus. 



VII. BROOM CORN. 



Broom corn, being closely allied at least to the cereals, may be placed with propriety in 

 this connection. Observations, as in the case of maize, have been made upon its growth 

 during the entire season. I did not deem it necessary, however, to follow them up with 

 numerous analyses, although it is extensively cultivated in this State. The proportions 

 which have been determined, answer the double purpose of showing the progress of the 

 increase of the plant, and the amount of mineral matter which it contains at different 

 stages and periods of growth. We can determine, from the same data, the exhausting 

 powers of the crop. 



PROPORTIONS. 



TIME. PARTS. QUANTITY. PER CENTUM. 



1848. 



June 27. Whole plant 100-00 grs. 



Dry 14-04 14-09 



Ash 1-44 1-44 



Calculated dry 10*25 



July 5. Height 16 inches. First joint just apppearing. 



Leaf-blades 52-24 grs. 60-8S6 



Leaf-sheaths 33-56 39-114 



Weight of whole plant - - - - 85 -SO 100-000 



1. Leaf-sheaths 33-56 



gave of Water 30*52 90-912 



Dry matter 3-04 9-088 



Ash [decided taste of potash] - - 0-48 1-427 



Percentage of ash calculated dry - - 15*702 



Percentage of organic matter - - - 84 -298 



