The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-10-08
shrInI,nge on thc TnrIn.

The loss of corn and fodder by
shrinkage varies according to climate
and the conditions OF the atmosphere.
Experiments have been made in diff
fcrent sections and the results show
that there is wide difference in the
Shrinkage OF corn, wheat and other
grains. and that sometimes the loss
by shrirkage is such as TO render the
crop Improbable. The Michigan Agri-
cultural Experiment Station has given
the results of several years work in
solving the problem. and also published
facts from other sources. Referring
TO the relative weights of ears. leaves
and stalks. il was found that on Au-
gust 2I about DAB per cent of the
total weight of the corn plant above
ground was in the ear. This per cent.
gradually increased until near har-
vest time september III above 35.7
Of the total weight of the plant was
In the ear At harvest 1913 per cent.
of the dry matter of the entire plant
was In the ear. This experiment was
repeated the next year when il was
found that about A per cent OF the
total dry matter of the plant was in
the ear. AT harvest september IA
the ear contained 1917 per cent. of
dry matter. the stalks 21.53 per cent.
and the leaves 27.27 per cent, the ears.
therefore, not being relatively rs dry
as the leaves and stalks. Ii may be
claimed. by way OF convenience.
therefore. that the amount Of dry mat
ter in the ears is about equal TO that
OF the whole plant. Ensilage corn
cut at different dates. showed the fol-
lowing percentages of moisture: Au-
gust 10 the NOisture was $3.50; Au-
gust %. 1918; September ., 72.5l, and
September 10. 65.14 one LOT OF 1915
! bushels of corn. of 20 pounds per
| bushel. was carefully weighed when
| cribbed. 1t was TO be delivered in
July. 1t weighed at the elevate. Il
! fraction over l4S9G bushels. SLOWING
IL loss from shrink3ge of over 1898
bushels. or about "a per cent. In one
| experiment 700 pounds Oh corn
| shranl 400 pounds between October 10
and January -. A. the end OF the
| year the kerGClS of corn contained
| 12.1l per cent OF water and the cobs
25.S2 per cent.
| 1t has been demonstrated that there
is a slight loss of weight In wheat
between complete ripcncss and the
stage known as dead ripe There is
not only a loss by Smelling when the
| grain becomes Oyer-ripe. but given
area. kept In the ordinary manner,
VIII weigh less If taken from an over
! ripe field than If taken from field cut
! at the proper time. The amount and
! quality OF the flour. as well as Che
| terminating yigOr OF the grain. are
also less IT the grain is allowed to be-
! come overripe Wheat will shrink il
the climate is dry. but when the wheat
is taken from an Intensely dry climate
to a comparatively damp one the gain
| i'm weight may amount to as much as
| twenty-five per cent In eighteen
days I'm an absolutely dry atmosphere
the loss in air-dricd wheat was G2
per cent; oats. % per cent and
! barley rs per cent According 10 this
there must naturally be gain if ex-
posed again 90 moist air. the gain in
oats boz eighteen days being los per
cent, barley, zO4 per cent. and wheat
/ Nu ~ days., lsS per cent I'm very
dry climate the grain from such may
greatly increase i'm weight If shipped
TO some point where the air s moist.
the purchaser making the gain by tine
absorption OF moisture by tine grain.
Experiments also show that wheat
lost and gained iu weight several
times ion q season by reason OF being
exposed TO dry and moist conditions
The difference iu loss or gain of
weight depends upon the condition of
the wheat when cured. and hard wheot
loses less than the soft varieties Tho
same rule applies to- corn. oats and
other grains Shrinkagc usually occur,
when grain is kept dry but loss from
shrinkage does not occur I'm an place,
with uniformity, as "a gain FRA weight
may result during damp periods. PIN
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