Feeding Value of the Stalk.-Ratio of the Stalk to the Grain.-Cured Fodder.-Green Fodder.-Cost of Producing Corn Fodder.-Esti- mated Stalk Crop of the United States.-Cutting Corn Fodder.-Nu- tritive Value of the Cob.-Nutritive Value of Corn and Cob Meal. 1. Corn as an Article of Human Food.-In the Green State.-In the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. INDIAN CORN. INTRODUCTION. Ir appears, from the census returns of 1860, that there were at that time, 3,381,583 farmers in the United States, which, by the ordinary ratio of increase, would make the present number not far from four millions; most of whom are, doubtless, in the habit of raising an annual crop of Indian corn. This, at least, is to be presumed, for the crop is so universally cultivated, and so essential to the husbandman, that those omitting it must be extremely few in number. Allowing for these exceptions, and for the interruptions resulting from the war, it may be taken for granted that there are, in round numbers, not less than three and a half millions of proprietary farmers engaged in the cultivation of this grain; some on fields measuring hundreds of acres, and some on limited patches of a few square rods; some producing fifteen or twenty bushels to the acre, and others one hundred and fifty or more; but all contributing to the grand result, and swelling the aggregate crop of the nation to such vast proportions as the world has never before witnessed. Here, then, are two distinct objects brought to the notice of the reader, viz.: The great staple crop of the country, and The class of men engaged in producing it. To the former of these topics the present volume is devoted. To the latter, let us accord the passing tribute of a few lines. There are various reflections that give weight and consideration to the large and respectable body of men devoted to agricultural pursuits. The very nature of their occupation renders it of vital importance to the welfare of the community. The products of agriculture embrace articles of such indispensable necessity, that the continued existence of our population is literally suspended upon the tillage of the earth. The farmer feeds the community, and every member of it is thus daily, and almost hourly, reminded of his value and importance in the social scale. But without dwelling on general considerations, it is sufficient to refer to a few prominent facts. It will be seen, from the census returns above referred to, that in 1860, the whole number of persons in the United States engaged in manufactures and kindred branches was 2,017,653; and of those engaged in commerce and connected pursuits, 757,773; while the number engaged in agricultural operations, as stated above, was 3,381,583. Thus it appears that the farmers not only outnumber the merchants and the manufacturers, taken separately, but they surpass the combined numbers of those classes by more than half a million. It also appears that, by the ordinary ratio of increase, the number of farmers in the whole country, at the period of the next census, will probably exceed five millions, counting the heads of families merely, and not their dependents. It is quite apparent, therefore, that this class of our citizens, unconspicuous as they have been in the retirement of their rural homes, have yet grown to dimensions, and risen to an importance, well calculated to arrest attention. But while their numbers are rapidly advancing, their achievements do not flag. The annual fruits of their industry, increasing with their population, have reached a prominence and magnitude everywhere seen and felt, and everywhere acknowledged to be without a parallel. American husbandry has made its mark in the world, not only by the intrinsic value, but equally by the quantities of its products. The unexampled amounts of grain and provision which it has annually poured into the channels of commerce, have justly challenged the attention and the amazement of mankind. In whatever light we view this subject, we cannot fail to be impressed with the valuable services and the growing influence of our yeomanry. It is not a mere metaphor, nor even an exaggeration, to say that the destiny of the nation is in their hands. The national census is the history of their achievements and the monument of their greatness. Their position and influence in the community is a simple matter of fact |