114r 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[March, 
Science Applied to Farming,” 
Correspondence. 
Corn and Cobs as Food. —“ S. B. B.,” Concord, Mass. 
Few reliable analyses of American corn, and none of 
cobs hare, to my knowledge, been made. Analyses of 
four American varieties are given below, with one of 
European cobs. (The sugar, starch, gum, and cellulose 
or fiber, are carbo hydrates). 
100 ft a. Corn 
contain 
Early Common 
Dutton Yellow 
Corn. Corn. 
King Stowelfs 
Philip Evergreen 
Corn. Sweet Corn. ^° 08 ' 
fi>8. 
fts. 
n>8. 
lbs. fl>8. 
Water. 
10.52 
9.79 
10.86 14.0 
Albuminoids... 
... 9.62 
9.72 
11.87 
11.10 1.4 
Sugar. 
4.78 
3.05 
11.64) 
Gum. 
2.36 
4.80 
4.64 > 42.6 
Starch. 
... 65.40 
&M9 
62.23 
49.58 j 
Fat or Oil. 
... 5.67 
4.42 
4.45 
7.66 1.4 
■Cellulose. 
.... 2.52 
2.40 
2.21 
2.63 37.8 
Ash. 
... 1.52 
1.81 
1.60 
1.89 2.8 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 100.0 
The sweet corn is especially rich in sugar and oil. All 
the varieties of corn contain very little crude fiber, and 
■considerable digestible substance. Cobs, on the other 
hand, are very poor in albuminoids, and fats, and con¬ 
tain a great deal of fiber, and are comparatively indigest¬ 
ible. They furnish some nutritive material, however, 
and when finely ground, and mixed with concentrated, 
nitrogenous foods, are not without value as fodder. 
Corn-meal is a very concentrated and easily digestible 
food. Although it contains comparatively little of albu¬ 
minoids, which are the most valuable constituents of 
foods, and a good deal of carbo-hydrates, which are less 
so, it is very rich in fatty or oily substances, and these 
have a very high nutritive value. A number of experi¬ 
ments, cited elsewhere, have shown that an excess of 
carbo-hydrates in concentrated foods, decreases the di¬ 
gestion of hay, clover, and other coarse foods. The oily 
substance, on the other hand, do not appear to have such 
an unfavorable effect. Indeed, it has been strongly 
urged that they are positive aids to the digestion, though 
this is hardly proven. It is, at any rate, evident that the 
results of accurate scientific observation are fully in 
accord with the common impression, that corn-meal is 
one of our most valuable foods. And American farmers 
possess a great advantage over their European competi¬ 
tors, in having so rich, useful, and cheap a fodder. 
Hungarian Grass. —“D. S. H..” Clio, Mich., “A. B. 
T.,” Columbia, Conn., and others. I know of no analy¬ 
ses of Hungarian grass at successive periods of growth. 
We have some specimens at our Experiment Station, 
awaiting investigation, of which results will be given in 
due time. The fact is, that very few analyses of our 
American fodder materials have been made, though they 
are much needed, and some are now in progress. 
Brewer's Grains and Mart-Sprouts.— “ H. C. B.,” 
Freeport, Ill. The “refuse grains after brewing” or 
“ malt ” you speak of buying at the breweries, are the 
“brewer’s grains” of our table 21, in Jan. No., p. 10. 
The grain is sprouted in malting, and the “ malt-sprouts” 
of the table are these sprouts separated from the grain. 
Bog-Hat as Food for Stock.— Mr. A. B. Allen, the 
original founder of the American Agriculturist , in 1842, 
confirms from his own experience, the views set forth 
in our articles in January and February, on the feeding 
value of salt-marsh and bog hays. Referring to the 
statement that 267 lbs. of average cotion-seed meal, 
costing, say $5.84, would make a ton of early cut bog- 
nay, of average composition, about equal in nutritive 
value to a ton of the best upland hay, he says, “ Now 
the latter is worth $40 per ton, on my farm at Tom’s 
River, N. J., while the former, cut from my own 
meadows, costs me not over $5.00—difference I save is 
$35.00. I suspected this some time ago, and in the 
autumn of 1874, commenced feeding my bog-hay, and I 
don’t see but that the cows give just as much milk, and 
make just as much butter, and that the horses look as 
well and do as much work, and with the same ease as 
when fed good upland hay. But I have lessened the 
quantity of cotton-seed meal given above, and substi¬ 
tute for this, a mixture of wheat bran and Indian meal 
—these three costing only as much as the cotton seed 
alone. I find it better to vary the feed. Thus, you see, 
that like the Mr. W. referred to, I also corroborate the 
German experiments.” Mr. Allen likewise fully en¬ 
dorses the view of Mr. Harris, as to the high value of 
■corn-meal for mixing with coarse foods. 
How to gbt Good Fertilizers.—A. Deakyne, New 
Castle Co., Del., writes: “I am a farmer, and as such, 
am agent for a club to buy superphosphates. Can you 
assist me in getting analyses made by several varieties 
used among us, so that we may know the relative value 
of each? . . . We don’t want it to eost too much. Please 
give me as much information as you can in regard to it. 
“H. 1C. B„” Mass., “E. N. P.,” Vt., “G. B„” Md., and 
several others make similar inquiries. Fanners in Con¬ 
necticut can have such work done at little or no coat, as 
appears from the following circular, which has been ex¬ 
tensively distributed in that state and elsewhere: 
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. 
Analysis of Fertilizers .—This Station, established by the 
last General Assembly, is prepared, In addition to scientific 
researches of a more abstract character, to execute analyses 
of fertilizers at the Chemical Laboratory of the Wesleyan 
University at Middletown, Conn.-As this work is paid for 
in large part from public funds, those analyses which are of 
public interest, will be performed gratuitously. Preference 
will be given to articles furnished by Farmer’s Clubs or Ag¬ 
ricultural Societies, and to those whose novelty, import¬ 
ance, or extensive sale, give them special interest to the 
farmers of the state. Where duplicates of the same brand, 
equally well selected and authenticated, are received, the 
Director will select from them for analysis at his discretion. 
The results of analyses will be sent directly to the party 
furnishing the sample. They will also, where gratuitous, be 
held at the service of the Station and of the Board of Agri¬ 
culture for publicatiou, and for general use. For analyses 
made in the interest of private individuals, the latter will be 
charged a moderate fee, and will entirely control the re¬ 
sults.-It is plainly for the interest of both dealer and con¬ 
sumer, that fertilizers should be bought and sold upon the 
basis of their actual value, as determined by their composi¬ 
tion. To further such a regulation of the trade in commer¬ 
cial fertilizers, arrangements will be made with those deal¬ 
ers, who wish to place their stock under the supervision of 
the Station, whereby their wares will be inspected, samples 
taken for analysis, and results of same reported, under the 
authority of the Director. It is hoped that all will see the 
advantages of this course, and encourage its adoption, and 
that every dealer will avail himself of the opportunity thus 
offered by the Station, to secure for himself and his custom¬ 
ers the benefit that must accrue therefrom.-The fol¬ 
lowing directions must be strictly followed in order to ob¬ 
tain fair samples, and to do justice alike to manufacturers, 
dealers, and consumers. 
Directions for taking Samples of Fertilizers for 
Analysis. 
For Guanos, Superphosphates, Bone Dust, Potash Salts, 
Gypsum, etc.- -Have ready for holding the sample a clean, 
tight receptacle, preferably a closely capped glass fruit jar, 
of about one quart capacity. Provide also a large sheet of 
clean wrapping paper, or a clean newspaper. Weigh care¬ 
fully three barrels, bags, or packages of the fertilizer, and 
carefully record the actual weight of each. Open, one after 
another, each of the three bags, barrels, or packages, that 
have been weighed, and mix well together the contents 
down to one-fourtli, or better, to one-half its depth, crush¬ 
ing very finely any lumps that may be found. Then dip out 
five (5) equal cupfuls (a tea-cup or bowl will answer) from 
different parts of the mixed portion of each package. Pour 
them (15 in all) one over the other on to the paper ; intermix 
these again thoroughly—but expeditiously, to avoid loss or 
gain of moisture ; fill the fruit jar or other receptacle from 
this mixture, close tightly, pack glass fruit jars in a box, to 
prevent breakage, label distinctly, and send by express or 
otherwise, charges prepaid, to “ Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Middletown. Conn." -Each sample must be ac¬ 
companied by a statement of the weights of the packages, 
when the article is in packages, the price per ton, etc., also 
by an exact copy or a specimen of any printed or written 
analysis, advertisement, pamphlet, or statement that ac¬ 
companies it, or that is used in its sale. Also by a copy of 
the brand, name, or trade mark, the name and address of 
the dealer, from whom the sample is procured, and of the 
name and post-offlee address of the person or persons tak¬ 
ing the sample. No sample will be analyzed for public use, 
unless the name and address of the sender, and other facts 
are given with sufficient accuracy and definiteness to enable 
the Station to verify any published statement In regard to 
the source of the article, etc.-Blanks are prepared for re¬ 
ceiving these facts, and those designing to send samples are 
requested to apply for them at the Station. 
W. O. Atwater, Director. 
The Connecticut Experiment Station is ready to do as 
much outside work as it can without interference with 
its duty to the people of that state. Their interests must 
be first served, since it derives its chief support from 
them. It would be most happy to communicate with our 
correspondents, and would donhtless make the analyses. 
Of course it could not offer its work to people outside the 
state at prices lower than are ordinarily charged by re¬ 
liable chemists. We should advise Mr. D. to learn of 
different dealers at what prices they will furnish him 
their wares with guaranteed percentages of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid, or potash (see A Talk About Fertilizers 
in February American Agriculturist). Then let him see 
which one will supply the desired ingredients in the best 
form and at the lowest price per pound, and select ac¬ 
cordingly. The Experiment Station will test the article, 
and if it is not equal to the guarantee, he can refuse to 
pay the full price. If the dealers in his region are not 
ready to trade on this basis, there are plenty of others 
who will. Several such have already “ placed their stock 
under the supervision of the Station," and will furnish 
him superphosphates with soluble phosphoric acid at 12$ 
cents per pound, while in many of the ordinary fertilizers 
it will cost 15 to 30 cents per pound. 
The N. J. Horticultural Society. 
The first annual meeting was held at New Brunswick, 
N. J., on Jan. 21, with an encouraging attendance. An 
annnal address was given by the President, George Thur- 
ber, which was followed by the following papers: Wm. 
Parry, of Cinnaminson, gave his experience with the 
Raspberry, in the course of which he distinctly pro¬ 
nounced the Amazon to be only an old variety with a 
new name. C. W. Idell, of Hoboken, gave a paper on 
the Huckleberry, especially as to the maimer of collect¬ 
ing and marketing the fruit; this was listened to with 
much interest, it being probably the first time this fruit 
has engaged the attention of a horticultural meeting. 
Prof. Geo. H. Cook, State Geologist, and Prof, of Chem¬ 
istry and Agriculture in the Rutgers’Scientific School, 
gave an address upon Fertilizers, especially with refer¬ 
ence to experiments upon the College Farm. On the 
second day a paper was presented by Peter Henderson, 
Jersey City Hights, on the Geranium as a Bedding Plant; 
one by A. S. Fuller, of Ridgewood, on Entomology in its 
Relation to Horticulture ; Mr. E. W. Durand, of Irving¬ 
ton, gave an account of his method of hybridizing the 
Strawberry; Geo. Such, of South Amboy, read a paper on 
the Gladiolus and other Summer-flowering Bulbs, and 
their usefulness for Lawns and Door yards. Edwin Allen, 
of New Brunswick, gave an account of the New Fruits of 
Promise. Wm. H. Goldsmith of Newark related his suc¬ 
cess in keeping Pears beyond their usual season of ripen¬ 
ing, and the final paper, by G. W. Thompson, of Stelton, 
was upon Hedges and Screens. It will be seen that a 
sufficient variety of topics was presented to suit all tastes, 
and some of the papers called out animated and interest¬ 
ing discussions. The Society will not probably under¬ 
take an exhibition this year, but will use its influence to 
secure a proper representation of the fruils of the state at 
tlie Centennial Exhibition. The next annual meeting 
will be held next January, at the same place. Mr. E. Wil¬ 
liams, Montclair, is the Recording, and B. B. Hance, Red 
Bank, tile Corresponding Secretary. 
-- — — -- 
The N. Y. Horticultural Association. 
The regular meeting was held at room 24, in the 
Cooper Institute, on Feb. 2. Thirty-five new members 
were elected, and Thomas Hogg, of Yokohoma, Japan, 
Marshal P.W.Wilder, of Boston, Mass., and Chas. Down¬ 
ing, of Newburgh, N, Y., were elected honorary mem¬ 
bers. The display of plants was less than at the previous 
meeting, owing to the inclement weather. 
horticultural wonders. 
A report was presented of the doings of what is 
known as the “Blue Rose Firm,” a concern similar in its 
pretensions to “La Fayette & Co.,” of former years, and 
which had planted itself on Broadway. The firm had 
been “interviewed” by two of the members of the As¬ 
sociation on the day of the meeting, who had taken full 
notes of the wonderful articles they offered. The “ nov¬ 
elties ” did not vary much from those that they or simi¬ 
lar concerns have been in the habit of offering each 
spring, year after year. This shows that New York is 
large enough to furnish a new crop of gulls every year to 
be entrapped by these precious scamps. They have now, 
as before, the inevitable blue, black, and striped roses; 
the “ strawberry tree,” producing luscious fruit the size 
of an orange; asparagus seed that yields a cutting in six 
weeks; pansy seeds, producing flowers of the brightest 
scarlet. There are also pear trees, with fruit that might 
shame in size an ordinary melon; gladiolus bulbs pro¬ 
ducing flowers blue as indigo, and nearly all other fruits, 
flowers, and vegetables, as seeds and roots, of a like won¬ 
derful character. Most of the professional gardeners, 
members of the society, were aware of the doings of the 
“Blue Rose” men, but had never before had an oppor¬ 
tunity to take concerted action in exposing the swindle. 
The feeling evinced among the members showed the 
chances for these enterprising gentlemen to make an¬ 
other raid on the pockets of the wonder-loving New 
York burghers, were not likely to soon again occur. 
The matter having been discussed at the meeting, it has 
already been noticed by the daily papers, and the “Blue 
Rose men” will probably be thoioughly advertised. 
In 1873 one of these concerns was thoroughly shown 
up in both the American Agriculturist and Hearth and 
Home, and in about a week their sales fell off to such an 
extent that they left for a more favorable clime. The 
present indications are that the Horticultural Association 
will be a success, and it can do the public no better ser¬ 
vice than by exposing all such pretenders as these “Blue 
Rose ” chaps, and all other horticultural swindles. 
Tlie Cause of Bitter Millc.—“ J. H. 
L., Spring Valley, N. Y. The greater aumber of cows 
are so constituted that, three months at least before calv¬ 
ing, the character of the milk changes, and it contains a 
larger proportion of salts, which are often plainly appar¬ 
ent to the taste. Sometimes these salts are bitter, and 
spoil the flavor of the milk. It is time then to dry the 
cow. When a cow gives only two quarts of milk a day, 
and is in calf, the milk is rarely fit to be used. The 
foetal calf then requires all the nutriment contained in 
this milk, and is deprived of it if it is taken from the cow. 
