GRASSES. 17 



he fed the multitude with five loaves and two small 

 fishes, is expressly stated to have been made of bar- 

 ley. John vi. 9. 



It is much to be regretted that so great a quantity 

 of Barley should be wasted in producing intoxicating 

 liquors, so destructive to the peace of mankind, this 

 being the best grain for distillation ; and from the 

 ready market thus obtained, the farmer is often led 

 to grow barley, and neglect crops which would be 

 useful in supplying the means of human subsistence. 



The most important grain next to wheat is Maize, 

 or Indian Corn, which is a native of America, and 

 was cultivated by the Indians previous to the landing 

 of Columbus. It may be a matter of surprise to 

 some, that this plant should be ranked among the 

 grasses ; but a little examination into its structure and 

 habits will at once show its connection with them. It 

 attains a much larger growth than any other of the 

 corn plants, although there are many other grasses 

 which even exceed it in height. 



Maize is extensively cultivated in every part of the 

 continent of North America. In the western states 

 it is particularly productive, as it sometimes yields, 

 under the combined influence of the rich soil and 

 genial climate, at the rate of eight hundred for one. 



Maize has never been cultivated in Europe with 

 success, the climate not being favorable to its growth ; 

 hence it is rarely seen in England, except where a 

 few stalks are raised as curiosities. 



Oats is probably the next grain of importance, espe- 

 cially in America, where it forms one of the princi- 

 2* B 



