116 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [bth. ajin. 37 



In the middle of the field was usually placed an earthen representa- 

 tion of the clan animal. As to how squash and beans were planted, 

 no reliable information is available. The com was planted in small 

 circular mounds which, to judge from those near Madison, Wis., were 

 arranged in remarkably straight rows. 



The author is imable to say what type of implements was used, 

 as the Winnebago have been usuig those of European manufacture 

 for many years and have no recollection of any other kind. 



If anyone had more com planted than he could take care of he 

 gave a feast, to which he invited all who had hoes. At this feast 

 dried corn was used. On this occasion the people sacrificed tobacco 

 to their hoes, so that they might not cut themselves with these im- 

 plements or have other accidents. Then they all joined in helping 

 their host cultivate his corn. 



In addition to the above-mentioned patches, most Winnebago had 

 small fields of tobacco, which were regarded as very sacred. The 

 tobacco grown on these was used only for sacrificial purj:)oses. Sacred 

 gourds also were planted in these fields. 



Berry picJcing. — From the earliest times the Winnebago were known 

 for their boimtiful supply of berries. Every fall parties of men, 

 women, and children went out to pick cranberries and whortleberries. 



Customs xvhen berries are ripening. — If a man has a son whom he 

 loves very much, he has him fast as soon as the berries and other tilings 

 begin to ripen. If this boy dreams of something good, then he (the 

 father) gives a feast with the newly ripened food and the boy eats. 

 If the boy does not dream of anything good after four days, the 

 father makes him eat and has him try again. 



Rice gathering. — In conamon with the Central Algonqman tribes, 

 with whom they have come in contact, esjjeciaUy the Menominee, the 

 Winnebago spent a number of weeks every year gathering wild rice. 

 The following description of the manner in which this is done is 

 taken from a newspaper article published by Prof. A. E. Jenks of 

 the University of Minnesota: 



Fox River from its source to Lake Winnebago was for hundreds of years a very- 

 productive field for this aquatic cereal, and along this river the Winnebago lived 

 in plenty and peace •ndth several ■n-ild rice eating tribes of the Algonkin stock. Prob- 

 ably a few families still gather their annual crop in that old domain ; but most of the 

 wild rice which the tribe now gathers is obtained in the sloughs of the Mississippi 

 River near Lacrosse, Wis., and on the Iowa side of that river 



The Winnebago gather the grain by running their canoes into the tall standing 

 stalks before the grain is ripe. A stick is held in each hand of the harvester, one 

 being used to draw the standing stalks over the edge of the canoe, wliile the other one 

 is employed in tapping or striking the heads of the stalks, thus knocking the grain out 

 of the fruit head into the canoe. After the canoe is full it is taken to the shore and 

 emptied. 



Preparation of foods.— Me&ts were prepared by broiling, in three 

 ways — on sta-kes, over a rack, or under hot ashes. Only the ribs 



