PREFACE. 



In 1828 William Cobbett, a rather eccentric 

 yet famous Englishman who for a time resided 

 in America, published in London "A Treatise 

 on Gobbett's Corn." Thirty-eight years later, 

 in 1866, Edward Enfield published in New 

 York a book on "Indian Corn; Its Value, Cul- 

 ture and Uses." These are the only volumes 

 in the English language, within the knowledge 

 of the writer, that have been written as hand- 

 books on Indian corn for farmers. Since these 

 books were issued much valuable information 

 has accumulated concerning the corn plant, 

 and it is due to this fact that this volume was 

 written. In America this cereal is grown 

 more extensively than is any other, and its 

 great food value for man and beast is fully 

 recognized. 



For a large amount of the present knowledge 

 we have of Indian corn we are indebted to the 

 researches conducted at the agricultural ex- 



