24 NATIVITY, QUALITIES, ETC. 



The form and growth of Indian corn are too well known to need de- 

 scription. Some of the varieties are suitable only for the long summers 

 of the southern states. The top produces a bunch of male flowers call- 

 ed the tassel. Each plant bears one or more spikes or ears generally 

 3 and sometimes 7, enveloped in a sheath of husks. The eyes, or 

 germs of the seed are arranged in radical lines on the cobb, each send- 

 ing out a filament of silk. These are the stigma which hang out to re- 

 ceive the farina which drops from the tassel or flower, and without 

 which the ear would produce no seed. When this is effected, both 

 wither. The color of the seed varies even in the same ear. 



The native country of this plant is undoubtedly America. The In- 

 dians throughout this continent were found, on its discovery, engaged 

 in cultivating this grain, and it is now found wild in Paraguay ; so 

 that 250 years ago, this important plant was known only to the Ameri- 

 can Indians. As food, it is extensively used throughout this country 

 and in South America. In Mexico it is the principle support of the 

 people, and in Africa its consumption is equal to that of rice. 



A prejudice has existed against this grain, but obviously from a na- 

 tional feeling well known to be characteristic of the people whence it 

 originated. But it has been justly said by an English writer that no 

 argument, as to the quality of particular kinds of food, can be based on 

 individual or national liking or disliking. This may be so with re- 

 spect to other people, but it is not applicable to the source of the sen- 

 timent, for the taste of no people is more questionable on this subject 

 the sentiment to the contrary notwithstanding than that of the 

 English. 



The useful qualities of maize are numerous. Coarsly ground and 

 boiled it forms the favorite old fashioned hominy of the southern states ; 

 and, when finely ground and mixed with water or milk, the mush of 

 Pennsylvania and the hasty pudding of the eastern states ; and also 

 when hulled, the samp so generally admired with milk, or the johnny- 

 cake much eaten by the negroes of the south ; and, in the early history 

 of our country, by the people generally, as was the acorn, or hog nut, 

 some centuries since by the people of England. Indian meal is still 

 much used as a favorite, sweetly flavored and wholesome bread ; and 

 in puddings, well prepared, it is not excelled by the flour of any other 

 grain. Mixed with wheat flour it makes a bread decidedly more pala- 

 table and wholesome than wheat flour alone. It does not lie within 

 the stomach a heavy mass, affected with difficulty by the gastric juice, 

 as with the greater portion of fresh baker's bread, but is always light, 

 stimulating and well flavored. 



White corn is said to be the best for bread, and the yellow best for 

 cattle. Sweet corn is best for early boiling and also for fodder. Musty 

 corn is cured by turning upon it twice the quantity of boiling water, 

 letting it remain till cold ; musty wheat is ctired in the same manner. 



