20 AMERICAN EXPORT CORN (MAIZE) IN EUROPE. 
deck, passing thence as water to other parts of the hold, where it 
condenses on the cooler corn, the cooler deck, and the sides of the 
ship. This process, augmented as time goes on by the second means, 
may increase considerably the moisture content of the corn in some 
portions <if the hold or cargo. 
The second means by which the moisture content of the corn may 
be increased is by changes in the chemical composition of the kernel, 
the effect of which is more evident in corn that is heating badly. 
Conditions of temperature and moisture may be favorable in some 
part of a cargo for fermentation to begin and continue with more or 
less vigor. The heat generated in this process is gradually trans- 
mitted to the surrounding portions, starting and increasing fer- 
mentation, which, decomposes the grain and liberates its water of 
composition, thus increasing the amount of moisture in some por- 
tions or in the whole cargo, if conditions are not disturbed, without 
any addition whatever of moisture from outside sources. 
From these causes the corn in many of the ships examined was 
found to be damp and heating at the top, while that beneath was 
cool, and the iron decks and sides of the ships were found to be quite 
wet with the condensed moisture from the heating corn. 
THE "GERMIXATIXG SEASOX." 
In the grain trade the "germinating season," so called, is under- 
stood to be a special season of the year during which grain is cus- 
tomarily planted in the ground. The limits of this season are not 
very clearly defined, but it is generally understood to extend from 
about the middle of March to the middle of June. It is generally 
believed that there is a natural and inherent tendency in grain to 
germinate during that season, and that the heating of grain in storage 
and in transit during those months is due primarily to this tendency. 
From the nature of the damage usually found in corn in a heating 
or hot condition in storage or in ships in transiuthere seems to be 
good reason for doubting that the germinative processes are respon- 
sible for the damage, as such corn does not usually appear to have 
germinated. Sprouted coin was occasionally found in the cargoes 
examined, but only at the top of the bulk, where considerable addi- 
tional moisture had been supplied, either through condensation, as 
described elsewhere, or from outside sources. 
CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO <; ERMIN ATIOX. 
In order that corn or any of the grains may germinate there must 
be present: (1) Air or oxygen: (2) heat: and (3) moisture. If one 
or more of these are absent germination will not take place, but if 
all are present at the same time and insufficient quantities and the 
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