INDIAN CORN. 



309 



largest portion of the food of tlie inhabitants. It is the principal 

 grain used in all parts of the Union, for fattening cattle, swine, sheep, 

 and poultry. It is used for those purposes, not only on account of its 

 cheapness of production, but for its intrinsic nutritive properties. 



In Brazil maize is largely cultivated, especially in the southern 

 provinces, where, in the shape of bread, meal, and farina, it constitutes 

 a wholesome and nutritious food. It comes to market in a variety of 

 forms. As a rule, maize yields there an average of 150 for one ; 

 it is not rare, however, to meet with soils which give from 250 to 300, 

 and on the island of Fernando de Noronka 400 for one have frequently 

 been harvested. In the province of Parana thirty-six varieties of 

 maize are grown. 



The Australian colonies are greatly dependent upon the farmers 

 of New South Wales for their supply of maize. Upwards of one 

 million bushels are grown. The yield is about 38 bushels per acre. 



In the year 1874-5 there were 1523 acres under culture with maize 

 in Victoria, and the produce was 24,263 bushels. In the following 

 year there were 2346 acres, and the produce was 37,177 bushels. 



There are several varieties of maize grown in Australia, known by 

 the names of Eichmond River, Mackey, Queensland, Hogan, &c. The 

 Richmond River variety is a dwarf kind, the stalk short, and the cobs 

 small. 



The Mackey has large cobs, the grain is also large, but flat and 

 square shaped. The stalk is bulky, and stands 9 or 10 feet high. 

 This is a good variety, well worth general cultivation. The Hogan 

 variety is small sized and inferior to the preceding. 



In Bankoora and other highland districts of Bengal maize seems 

 to constitute one of the chief articles of food during a considerable 

 part of the year. It is more used in Behar than any part of Bengal, 

 being ordinarily roasted when green, and eaten with salt. 



Maize is now widely distributed not only over India proper, but 

 in Burmah, and is universally used for human food. Baden Powell 

 observes, in his * Punjaub Products,' that " maize grows everywhere 

 throughout the hills, and appears to flourish well in a temperate as 

 in a tropical climate. At 7000 feet or more it is the favourite crop of 

 the people, and for six months of the year forms their common staple 

 of food. Although superseded in the valleys by rice, there is always 

 a little plot of maize around the cottage of the peasantry, which is 

 reserved for themselves, while the rice is disposed of to wealthier 

 classes. To the uplands maize is an admirably suited crop. It is 

 very hardy, requires little rain, and is rapidly matured. In sixty 

 days from the day of sowing, the cobs are fit to cut, but the grain 

 will not keep. Weevils attack it in preference to any other grain, 

 and it is a popular saying that the life of maize is only a year long." 



From experiments made at the Madras farm on Queensland maize 

 Mr. Robertson has proved that this grain can be profitably cultivated 

 in Southern India. He gives the following instructions for its culti- 

 vation there : 



" The seed is best sown on drills about 3 feet apart, with intervals 

 of 10 or 12 inches between the seed. It may be planted 2 inches 

 deep, at the rate of 30 lbs. per acre. 



