49° 



MAIZE 



CHAP. 

 XI. 



Burchell (i, Vol. II, p. 520) gives the following account 

 of the method of grain storage practised by the Bechuanas, in 

 1811 :— 



" The corn is preserved in what may be termed large jars, 

 of various dimensions, but most commonly between 4 and 5 

 feet high, and 3 wide. The shape of these corn-jars is nearly 

 that of an egg-shell having its upper end cut off: sometimes 

 their mouth is contracted in a manner which gives them a 

 great resemblance to a European oil-jar. They are formed 



Fig. 189. — Native method of storing maize, Zoutpansberg District. 



with stakes and branches fixed into the ground and interwoven 

 with twigs, this framework being afterwards plastered within 

 and without, in the same manner as the walls of the building. 

 Frequently the bottoms of these jars are raised about 6 inches 

 or a foot above the ground : and the lower part of the stakes 

 then being uncovered, gives them the appearance of standing 

 on short legs. Their contents are usually protected by a 

 covering of skin or straw." 



461. Need for Public .Maize Stores or Silos in South 

 Africa. — The problem of storage pending favourable market 



