1 Sepr., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 241 
In this connection it is interesting to note that manual labour in the 
‘southern part of the United States is performed almost exclusively on a diet of 
Indian corn bread and fat pork. 
It is suggested by the Department of Agriculture that the systematic 
cultivation of specially selected seeds should be commenced at once, with a view to 
increasing the percentage of proteid matter, as the ratio of nitrogenous to other ’ 
digestible constituents is, at present, rather low. 
MAIZE OIL. 
In the manufacture of starch and glucose, and of some varieties of maize- 
meal, the germ of the grain, which contains the larger proportion of oil, is 
-extracted. From this germ an oil of considerable economic valuable is expressed, 
while the residue forms a nutritious food material, fully equal to that obtained 
by the expression of the oil from ordinary oil seeds. Maize oil is easily purified, 
and forms a light amber-coloured transparent liquid, without rancidity and of a 
leasant taste. It has been used to some extent as a salad oil, and also as a 
ubricant, and, having good burning properties, asan illuminant. The coarser 
varieties of the oil are used in soap manufacture. The commercial value is stated 
to be fully equal to that of cotton-seed oil. 
COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF THE STALKS. 
Until a few years ago the stalks of maize were considered of little value for 
feeding or other purposes, although the blades of the stalks have been used as 
a cattle food from the earliest times. The proportions of the different parts of 
maize stoyer are :— 
Leaves and husks... ocx: ot ... 65:2 per cent. 
Stalk without pith ... an sh oe 24: 5 pee 
Pith ... oct ocr xx) on IO g, 
The average chemical composition of the air-dried stover is as follows :— 
Moisture au dent oe ... 9°80 per cent. 
Proteids ee Ss; — oo we 4°31 
Ether extract (oil, &e.) cx cx DAY 
Crude fibre ... oe cer ere 28°29 
ANAN ope sie oe _ _ «. 4450 
Carbohydrates (other than crude fibre) ... 40°33 oe 
Maize stover, in one form and another, is now being largely used as fodder, 
-and in some districts its use excludes even that of clover and timothy hay. The 
stoyer is usually finely shredded, as this not only increases the quantity which 
becomes available for food, but also leaves the manure in a better condition for 
sspreading on the field. The pith is also removed from the stalks, as it is much 
less digestible. 
29 
MANUFACTURE OF STARCH AND GLUCOSE. 
The bulk of the starch used in the United States is made from Indian corn, 
there being only small quantities made from potatoes and cassava. The yield of 
starch is good, about 60 to 65 per cent. being available. In its preparation the 
grains are first softened in hot water, and then crushed to a fine pulp between 
‘stones or rollers. The pulp is now transferred to shakers, lined with fine cloth, 
and the starch washed through the meshes by means of a current of water ; it 
is allowed to settle, and, the supernatant liquid haying been poured off, the moist 
blocks are removed and allowed to dry. When the product is required for 
cooking purposes, it undergoes further purification. 
The manufacture of grape sugar or glucose from maize starch is now an 
extensive industry in the United States, about 40,000,000 bushels of corn being 
used annually. The product known commercially as “grape sugar” is solid, 
and is employed as a substitute for malt in the brewing of beer and ale. 
Another product, known as “ glucose,” is a thick colourless syrup, which is used 
in the preparation of table syrups as well as for confectionery, and for 
adulterating molasses and honey. ’ 
