The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1911-09-22
King Corn.


Corn is the king OF the grains in the number of
bushels produced and in all around usefulness It is
the foundation for the live stock industry in the
United States especially hog raising
Corn is used directly for food by thousands. in the
form of conbread, hominy and many excellent dish
es, Indirectly it is the food for the entire meat eat
ing world, but aside from Its food uses there are
many others that many people have never heard
about
Persons who like to talk in millions and billions
should revel in discussing the corn crop Corn was
the gift of the world to the DID, 1t probably
originated IN Mexico. Now it is grown all over the
world, and the average annual crop is aboat four
billion bushels. The United States furnishes two
thirds of that total
Every year some new use is found for corn In
the old days there wee only two ways to dispose of
ito feed it to cattle. and, in the shape IF corn
meal, to some persons. The meal had 20 he for To-
cal consumption because when made as il then was
from the whole kernel, it soon became rancid
From the germ, which is separated the oil is ex-
tracted by chemical ana from the kernel III the mill
ing process mechanical processes, and constitutes a
product which Is coming into in the manufacture
of paint.
The vulcanzed oil is used extensively in surfacing
hnoleum and OllclOth, and is applied TO a number of
other purposes After the oil is extracted there is
left a valuable resdum known as corn oil cake
which is sold here and abroad and is used in thefat-
tenlng OF sheep and other animals. Nearly fifty
million pounds OF this material are annually shipped
to Great Britain and Germany, and there used by
farmers, who find it cheaper than materials of sim
liar nature which they can grow at home.
A corn product which is coming into extensive use
is glucose made from starch, water and sulphuric
acid. Confectioners large quantities of glucose
which IS colorless, sweetish syrup useful as food
when properlp taken. Nearly 200 600 600 pounds of
glucose are sent out of this country each year TO all
parts of the world
From cornstarch also comes dextrin of several
kinds, used extensively in the making of glue paste
and mucilage. When one licks postage stamp one
gets taste of dextrin, favored often with some
harmless preservative
One other use of corn may be mentioned as in all
probability having an important bearinf on future
industrial pursuits Denatured alcohol is already
extensively manufactured from corn, both at home
and abroad Despite the advancing price of the
grain, 1t Is still one of the most economical sources
OF product which, under different legal restrictions
from those now in existence, may become important
as source Of heat light and power in homes, espe-
cialy farm homes
Experiments conducted here and abroad demons
ated that bulkheads constructed of cornstaks were
nearly impuryious to-water when shot passed
through them, Some Of the largest ships are now
protected with belt Of corn pith cellulose made
largely from corn grown in the Ohio valley. The
same material, modified forms of it, is used in the
manufacture Of high explosives such as gun-cotton
and smokeless powder.
Pyroxylin varnsh another material made from
celulose is a very useful product manufactured in
connection with the other products just mentioned
Farm Machinery.