MAIZE. 227 



(Zea mats). Inferior to wheat only, in point of nutritive quali- 

 ties, the Indian corn is one of the most nourishing grains, and 

 superior to rice, rye, barley, or potatoes : the proportion of starch 

 is 67 '55 per cent.; of gluten and other azotised substances, 

 12*50 ; of fatty matter, 8*80 ; whereas that of bran is only 5' 90. 

 — (Payen). It has been ascertained that individuals subsisting 

 on this grain are, in general, stronger and more robust than 

 those using either rice, barley, or potatoes. Indian corn is also 

 a very wholesome aliment, and forms the principal article of food 

 of nearly one half of the southern population of Europe, of a 

 very large proportion of that of Asia and Africa, of nearly the 

 whole population of South America, and of a great part of North 

 America. Maize grows well in Trinidad, and thrives remarkably 

 in good soils : the average yield per acre is from twelve to 

 fifteen barrels in ears ; its price varies from 80 cents to 2 dollars 

 per barrel, and the cost of raising the crop per acre from the seed 

 is about 8 dollars — under our present imperfect system of culture. 

 Corn is raised either in high or low lands ; when in the former, 

 it is planted at the commencement of the wet season, and in the 

 latter part of May; in low lands, in January or February — so 

 that two crops may be commanded every year. It is planted in 

 holes of slight depth, being made with the point of a cutlass or 

 a sharp-pointed stake, at a distance of four feet apart, from three 

 to five grains being cast into each hole. When at about three 

 weeks' growth, it is well hoed, and weeded once more when two 

 months old : it comes to maturity within four or four and a half 

 months. During the wet season the plant is bent, so that the 

 ripe ear hangs downwards, and thus the infiltration of rain-water 

 within the husk is obviated. The maize of Trinidad is different 

 from that cultivated in the United States and Europe ; it grows 

 here from eight to ten feet high ; the grain is smaller, less flat, 

 and of a deep yellow hue. As an article of food, it is preferred 

 both by man and animals, the latter seeming to fatten much more 

 solidly and readily on it. With all these advantages, maize 

 is but sparingly cultivated, mostly on account of the difficulty 

 of protecting the grain against the ravages of the cereal beetle, 

 that spoils it in a very short time. 



True, no method has yet been adopted for its preservation. 

 Both the grain and meal are imported annually from the United 

 States of America and Venezuela. Corn-meal is imported to the 



