GRASSES. 17 
he fed the multitude with five loaves and two small 
fishes, is expressly stated to have been made of bar- 
ley. John vi. 9. 
It is much to be regretted that so great a quantity 
of Barley should be wasted in producing intoxicating 
liquors, so destructive to the peace of mankind, this 
being the best grain for distillation; and from the 
ready market thus obtained, the farmer is often led 
to grow barley, and neglect crops which would be 
useful in supplying the means of human subsistence. 
The most important grain next to wheat is Maize, 
or Indian Corn, which is a native of America, and 
was cultivated by the Indians previous to the landing 
of Columbus. It may be a matter of surprise to 
some, that this plant should be ranked among the 
grasses; but a little examination into its structure and 
habits will at once show its connection with them. It 
attains a much larger growth than any other of the 
corn plants, although there are many other grasses 
which even exceed it in height. 
Maize is extensively cultivated in every part of the 
continent of North America. In the western states 
it is particularly productive, as it sometimes yields, 
under the combined influence of the rich soil and 
genial climate, at the rate of eight hundred for one. 
Maize has never been cultivated in Europe with 
success, the climate not being favorable to its growth; 
hence it is rarely seen in England, except where a 
few stalks are raised as curiosities. 
Oats is probably the next grain of importance, espe- 
cially in America, where it forms one of the princi. 
2* B 
