Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-12-01

that the greater part of the oil is To-
Gated in the embryo. Therefore one
rich in oil is also one with large
germ. 1t is therefore, not ureason-
able to assume that such large
embryo variety of corn would, when
it does become moldy, produce a
greater amount of the poisonous
material
This, however, is not the whole
story. There are mills and mills.
Some modern, while others are an
cient. Modern mills tend to elimi-
nate the germ, while We old-time mill
is operated along different lines. In
Tennessee and Georgia the diet of the
mountalneer is made up of 90 per
cent corn, while that of the negro is
33.5 per cent. An insufficient guam
tity of corn is produced in the south,
and much of the supply comes from
the corn belt states. This is of the
!arse germ full of oil variety, in
lended mainly for stock feeding. 1t
IS shipped south and milled in old
tyle mills. The first cases of pella-
ia were discovered in the souta,
and it is not difficult under the cir
eumstances to understand why.
The discussion of the cause of the
disease has brought out more clearly
an agricultural aspect which is wor-
thy of serious consideration by
sseaSscorn grower in the corn belt
states. As matter of fact, the price
paid for corn is according to its
grade without any thought of its
water content. No up-to-date con
sumer of coal would consider the
purchase of quantity of coal with
put first ascertaining the heat units.
Corn varies far more in water con-
tent than coal does in heat units.
The former runs from 10 to 35 per
cent water Yet it is sold by grade
and never any question as to its
water content. 1t is not reasonable
to presume in this day and age that
this method of buying and selling can
go on much longer; in fact, an effort
will be made at the coming session
of the legislature in the state of
South Carolina to enact law re-
quiring all corn imported into the
state to be subject to a condition
test as well as grade inspection.
DR.. Alsberg, in speaking of the
quantity of water in corn causing so
much to spoil, said: Annually many
million gallons of water are hauled
from the corn belt to the seaboard,
an enormous waste and one that it is
to the interest of public health as
well as public wealth to prevent. The
dealing in moist corn has been so
great that the exporters have over
reached themselves. Not only have
they brought it about that American
corn fetches a low price in the
worlds markets, but they have prac-
tically closed these markets to this,
one of our most important crops. :"
The remedy that is given for this
condition of affairs is to thoroughly
dry it before transportation. To bring
this about corn must be sold on a
basis of its moisture content. But rc
make this possible there must be ar
efficient impartial system of grair
standardization, Corn is transporte,
in closed cars without ventilation
The grain of corn is live thing. II
IS breathing, consuming oxygen, CIV
ing OFF carbonic acid. and as the
result of its respiration, heat. The
heat thus given off increases the rate
of respiration till the corn heats ur
OF enough to create ideal conditions
of temperature and moisture for the
growth of fungi. Corn transported
in this way into the northwest may
have its tendency to ferment checked
by the colder climate. Cars shipped
to the south will, on the contrary,
have the tendency to ferment- aug
mented by the warm moist climate. A
car of corn shipped from Iowa to
Memphis or New Orleans arrives in a
sinking condition. 1t is SO reported
to the shipper, who in turn swears
that it left in first-class condition.
After much wrangling the matter is
adjusted, to the loss of the shipper
and the disgust of the buyer general
ly. The buyer puts the corn in an
oven and dries it. Then he elevates
it and slides 1t down to the bottom
to polish it. Some good corn Is mix
ed with 1T and the corn ia then ready
to sell for food or any other ppr-
pose. the amount of spoiled cor
shipreA south is We great fo
is very difficult u keen ii nom n