CHAPTER II. 



INDIAN CORN OR MAIZE. 



Indian corn (Zea Mays) is one of the greatest 

 food plants that was ever bestowed on any country. 

 It is indigenous to this continent, and can be grown, 

 in one or the other of its forms, in nearly all parts of 

 the continent capable of maturing cereals. There is 

 probably no other plant at the present time that pro- 

 duces more food for man and beast, and that is sus- 

 ceptible of being grown under so great a variety of 

 conditions. 



Corn is of many varieties. They run up into 

 the hundreds, and the number of varieties is sure to 

 be increased. It is well that it is so, for in this way 

 new kinds can be produced with special adaptation 

 to the needs of the respective regions in which they 

 are to be grown. While new varieties are thus being 

 evolved, established varieties are continually being 

 introduced into sections where they had not been 

 grown hitherto, and in these sections they are being 

 acclimatized ; hence we can confidently hope that in 

 the near future almost every part of America that 

 can mature grain crops will be possessed of those 

 varieties of corn best adapted to its needs. 



Corn varies exceedingly in its habits of growth. 

 Some kinds grow only to the hight of a few inches 

 from the ground. Other varieties grow to the 

 hight of twelve feet and more. Some varieties pro- 

 duce only one stalk and but one or two ears. Other 



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