466 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO iS/S. 



If it is asked why we use not iron-pans as in Cheshire and other places? I 

 answer, there have been trials made both of forged iron-pans and cast-iron. 

 The former the strength of the brine so corrodes, that it quickly wears them out; 

 the latter the brine breaks. 



On the Culture, and Use of Maize.* By Mr. Winthorp. N° 142, p. 1065. 



The corn used in New England, before the English planted there, is called 

 by the natives, Weachin, known by the name of Maize, in some southern parts 

 of America; where, and even in the northern parts, amongst the English and 

 Dutch, who have plenty of wheat and grain, this sort of corn is still much in 

 use both for bread and other kind of food. The ear is for the most part about 

 a span long, composed of several rows of grains, 8 or more, according to the 

 goodness of the ground ; and in each row, usually above 30 grains, of various 

 colours, as red, white, yellow, blue, olive, greenish, black, speckled, striped, &c. 

 sometimes in the same field, and the same ear. But the white and yellow are 

 the most common. The ear is clothed and armed with several strong thick 

 husks. Not only defending it from the cold of the night, and from unseasonable 

 rains, but also from the birds. The stalk grows to the height of 6 or 8 feet ; 

 more or less, according to the condition of the ground, or kind of seed. The 

 Virginian grows taller than that of New England. And there is another sort 

 used by the Northern Indians far up in the country, that grows much shorter 

 than that of New England. It is jointed like a cane, and is full of sweet juice, 

 like the sugar-cane. And a syrup as sweet as sugar may be made of it. Also 

 meats sweetened with it, have not been distinguished from the like sweetened 

 with sugar. At every joint there are long leaves, almost like flags, and at the 

 top a bunch of flowers, like the blossoms of rye. It is planted between the 

 middle of March and the beginning of June. But most commonly from the 

 middle of April to the middle of May. In the pure northerly parts they have 

 a peculiar kind called Mohawks corn, which though planted in June, will be ripe 

 in season. The stalks of this kind are shorter, and the ears grow nearer the 

 bottom of the stalk, and are generally of divers colours. 



The manner of planting is in rows, at equal distance every way, about 5 or 6 

 feet. They open the earth with a hoe, taking away the surface 3 or 4 inches 

 deep, and the breadth of the hoe ; and so throw in 4 or 5 grains, a little distant 

 one from another, and cover them with earth. If two or three grow, it is well; 

 for some of them are usually destroyed by birds, or mouse-squirrels. The corn 

 grown up a hand's length, they cut up the weeds, and loosen the earth about it, 

 with a broad hoe : repeating this labour, as the weeds grow. When the stalk be- 

 gins to grow high, they draw a little earth about it : and upon the putting forth of 



* Zea Mays. Linn. 



