THE CEREALS. 65 



MAIZE. 



Zea Mays, L. 



Hind. Mukka-Bhuta, But, Makai, Janara. Beng Butta, Makka-janar. Punjab 



Makkai, Kukri, Bari-joar. 



Oudh Bari-jowar. Tamil Makka. Tel. Zonalu. 

 Sanskrit Yavanala. 



This handsome annual erect grass bears its grain in a solitary 

 axillary female spike. The grain varies much in colour, form, 

 and size. 



The maize, though a native of South America, has been 

 long cultivated in many parts of India : there are now over 

 2# million acres under this crop. It is sown in June and July 

 and cut in September. 



COMPOSITION OF MAIZE (C.). 



In 100 parts. In I Ib. 



2 oz. o grs. 

 I 227 



II 



o 



137 



252 

 140 



119 



The nutrient-ratio is here i : 8*3, and the nutrient-value 

 The above percentages are the means deduced from several 

 analyses of whole Indian-grown maize. They show a lower 

 proportion of water and of oil than the average of European 

 and American samples. The range in the latter, when a few 

 exceptional and clearly abnormal results are excluded, is not 

 wide. Generally, the American-grown maize contains about i 

 per cent, more fat or oil than the East Indian. 



Maize is extensively used throughout the Benares, Patna, and 

 Bhagulpur Divisions, chiefly amongst the peasantry. Young and 

 green it is roasted and greedily eaten by natives of Gorakhpur, 

 Behar, and Patna. .Maize is not considered so wholesome as 

 wheat, being thought rather heating. The stems, both green 

 and dry, and the leaves, are used as cattle food. 



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