The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-10-19
The Value Of the Corn HIsk.

Everybody is familiar with husk mats and
it is we'll known that excellent mattresses
can be made from this article, but a very
small portion of the crop is saved for this
purpose. 1t is not generally known that the
husk is applied in foreign countries to many
other important uses. Some writers even
assert that the value of the husk crop, il
utilized, would be nearly equal to that ofthe
oat and barley crops of the country combln-
ed. We have seen most excellent husk let
ter paper, and it is said better paper can be
made from it than from either linen or cot,
ton rags; and, because it has great hard
ness and frmness. exceeding that OF the
best hand made Enghsh drawing papers,
that it is especially adapted for pencil draw
ing, water colors, and short hand writing,
for which latter purpose it is extensively
used. Its durability, it is claimed, renders
tpeculiarly valuable for documents, records,
bank notes, bonds, etc.
Corn husks contain long, straight,
strong, fax-l like fabric, which can be spun.
like flax, into thread, and the thread, like
linen thread, woven into cloth ofgreat tena'
city and strength, which excels all the coarse
materials in common use, in resisting de-
composition. This will furnish an excellent
substitute for coarse flax and hemp cloths,
lutte and gunny cloths, and bagging.
Again, in the course OF extracting the
corn fibre, long fbres are found at the bot
tom of the boiler, in spongy condition,
filled with gptinous substance, which, on
closer examination, proves to be nutrl'
tious dough. This may be dried and baked,
and furnishes a good, wholesome. sweet
bread, especially when mixed with wheat
-four. 1t possesses the peculiarly, that it
keeps perfectly sweet for months, although
exnosed to the air. 1t will not mould, and
excels almostal known vegetable substances
in its resistance to decomposition. Mixed
with wheat -four, 1t would probably make q
very good Material for ship bread and
crackers. Cattle eat it voraciously. q
this farnaceous substance there are l.
mounds in a 100 pounds of husk of the long
fibre, suitable for spinning, 100 pounds O.
husk furnishes % pounds, while at the same
time, 20 pounds OF paper is afforded from
the 100 pounds of raw material-the entire
| value of products being go per cent OF The
| weight Of husks.
| These interesting manufactures are chiefly
conducted under the patronage of the Aus
titan Government, and it is stated that The
knapsaahs for the Imperial Army, wager
| tops, floor cloths, fire buckets, and paper o
| ali varieties, from the coarsest wrapping tc
the finest bank note paper used by the gov
efnnlCnJ, are llldiuiaClultu AZ tlic
mills. Besides these, there are two private
mills in operation near Vienna; conducted
on an extensive scale, the owners OF which
it is said, became Independently rich in tht
two first years of their workings, their mills
being several times extended and kept run
ming night aud day to fill all the difieren
orders. :,
The importance of saving the husks vii
he fully appreciated. when it is remembere'
that they are simply incidental TO the pro
ducton of most important cereal, every
where cultivated, and that they cost nothing
beyond The care attending their collection
aud preservation.
The chief reason OF the inatteution hither
to bestowed by capitalists on this article j
traceable mainly to the difficulty of procur
ing sufficient supply Of husks. We ar
satisfied that the demand will abundant
warrant farmers in saving and storing al
the husks they can. They are easily bale
aud marketed, like baled hay, aud will brin!
a good price for mat resscs alone.
Our friends, who contemplate startin
the husk manufacture IN this country mus
not, however, wait for the farmers To accu
mulate husks, utappointresponsible agent
who will contract for the material at tn
farms. Farmers are beginning to arpreclat
their value as fodder, and probably will nc
be disposed to sell them for less than tn
price of bay.-Americas Agricutturist.