CHAPTEE XII. 



INDIAN CORN. , 



Hi8tory.--Ifiiiiarufiomj^>9r maize, is pretty cer- 

 tainly of American origin. It has been introduced 

 icto Europe, Asia and Africa since the discovery of 

 America. After its introduction into the old conti- 

 nent it spread very rapidly across Northern Africa 

 and Southern Europe and across Asia into China. 

 The rapidity with which it spread gave rise to disputes 

 as to its origin and considerable confusion as to its 

 name. 



It has been known by the following curious names 

 in Europe : Turkish corn, Italian corn, Roman wheat, 

 Sicilian wheat, Indian wheat, Spanish wheat, Barbary 

 wheat, Guinea and Egyptian wheat. These names 

 were given it in various places on account of the 

 country in which it was supposed to have originated. 

 It simply indicates the country from which and 

 through which it was introduced. The names, with 

 the exception of Indian, are those of places bordering 

 on the Mediterranean Sea. It seems to indicate that 

 Indian com was brought from America in vessels 

 which sailed into the Mediterranean Sea and landed 

 in the various countries indicated. The climate on 

 both sides of the Mediterranean is fairly well adapted 

 to the growth of Indian corn. The rapid introduc- 

 tion into these countries of so striking a plant and its 

 spread therefrom is not a matter of surprise. 



The word "corn" is used in Europe with the signifi- 

 cation that the word "grain" is used in America. All 

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