THE WARMER TEMPERATE ZONE. 163 



Maize, or Indian corn, is the only grain indi- 

 genous to America, and it is a native there only. 

 Before the arrival of Europeans, it was the chief 

 corn plant of the new world, and, in some parts, 

 (the tropical ones especially,) is so, still. It thrives 

 best in the hottest and dampest tropical climates, 

 where it sometimes brings forth eight hundred- 

 fold, and in less fertile lands three hundred to 

 four hundred-fold. It will not succeed in Ame- 

 rica higher than 40 N. lat., though in Europe it 

 reaches 45 J on the west coast, on the Rhine 49, 

 and in Prussia 52. From the low mean heat of 

 the summer in England, it is evident its cultiva- 

 tion will not succeed in this country, although 

 it may occasionally ripen ; it will, however, be in 

 the recollection of many, that the late William 

 Cobbett was very enthusiastic for its general 

 culture in our land. In Asia, maize is exten- 

 sively cultivated, especially in India, China, 

 Japan, Sumatra, and the Philippine Islands, 

 having been, no doubt, introduced from Ame- 

 rica, but in what way is not known. So gene- 

 rally is it used in Mexico, that, at the beginning 

 of this century, above 1,600,000,000 pounds 

 were consumed by a population of not more than 

 5,000,000, equal to 320 pounds a year for each 

 person. A considerable quantity is consumed 

 in this country. In 1847, 3,608,312 quarters 

 were imported, besides 1,448,837 cwts. of 

 Indian corn meal, though this was larger than 

 usual on account of the distress in Ireland. An 

 ardent spirit, resembling brandy, is obtained 

 from the juice of the stalks. 



