A Botanical and Economic Study. 199 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 Future. 



THE use of maize promises to increase in the near future. 

 The plant subserves so many important purposes that 

 it cannot fail to occupy a prominent position in the 

 future agricultural production of our country. 



Not only will Indian corn be raised for home consumption, 

 but also for foreign export. The people of Europe must 

 be taught to enjoy maize as a food. President Harrison's 

 administration, in the person of Secretary Rusk, made a wise 

 movement when it appointed a special agent to look after 

 corn interests in Europe. His efforts have met thus far with 

 a due measure of success, but Colonel William J. Murphy 

 finds it difficult to overcome the prejudices and conservatism 

 of the peasants who need most sorely a cheaper food. Ex- 

 cept an insignificant amount, exported corn is used chiefly in 

 Europe as a food for animals, as a grain for distillery pur- 

 poses and starch manufacture. "The only form of corn at 

 all known abroad is corn starch, which is sold principally in 

 the British Isles under the name of corn flour." " A better 

 knowledge of maize as a human food, in addition to bringing 

 into use its other forms, will increase the demand for all its 

 products, which will call forth a supply that will cause the 

 price in Europe to fall from its present high artificial point." 

 - There are multitudes of half-starved toilers in Europe who 

 would welcome the golden grain if only they were taught its 



merits." 



To supply the wants of these people would be to render a 

 philanthropic service worthy of our best endeavors, and the 

 increased export of our cereal maize would be a sure, practical 

 and speedy benefit to the farming interests of our country. 

 Great crops and a demand for the products of the soil 



