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 necessary 
that the leaves, silks and tassels be furnished with their appropriate food, as the grain 
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 the 
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 the 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 
character 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. 
