8 [ASSEMHLT 



solid instruction capable of being immediately applied by almost ev- 

 ery farmer for the great benefit of his land, and increase of his 

 crops. , 



The following is an extract from a letter of Joseph Cowdin, Esq., 

 the Consul of the United States at Glasgow, Scotland, written in the 

 spring of 1846, in relation to the introduction of our methods of 

 cooking Indian corn, which he has zealously performed agreeably to 

 the request of the Institute, of which he is, and has long been an 

 active and intelligent member. This is but one instance of the effort 

 and extent of the exertions of the Institute. 



The efforts of Mr. Cowdin have, no doubt, done much to remove 

 the prejudice which in Europe prevailed against Indian corn, on ac- 

 count of their ignorance of the proper methods of cooking it. The 

 consequence of which is, increased demand and price abroad. A 

 communication on Indian corn, with the best modes of preparing it 

 for use, will be found armexed. We forbear in this report going in- 

 to particulars. The appended papers are full of facts of momentous 

 bearing, whi.:h for want of time we leave to the good sense of the 

 reader who will draw his own inferences. 



" I am and have for some time been devoting my leisure time in 

 endeavoring to introduce into this community the great universal 

 staple of America, ' Indian corn,' about which the people here know 

 nothing, and I am pleased to say, have succeeded in removing the 

 deep rooted prejudice which existed, by frequent exhibitions of corn 

 bread in every variety of form. Tt may now be . said to be fairly 

 and permanently introduced into the charitable institutions and pri- 

 sons of this city, which will give it a character and confidence 

 throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and consequently 

 throughout the old world, which will open new markets for this 

 great and valuable staple. I rejoice in this, as it will benefit that 

 noble and honorable class of citizens of our beloved country, the far- 

 mers, and by no possibility injure any other branch of industry. 



" The South have their great and valuable staple of the manufac- 

 turer, Cotton; but for capability of production, this is restricted to lati- 

 tude and longitude; not so with corn, it may be raised throughout 

 the length and breadth of our land with great facility and compara- 

 tive trifling expense." 



