MAIZE, OR INDIAN CORN 



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differing from one another chiefly in size and earliness. Most of 

 these have white seed. The best varieties are : — 



Extra Early Dwarf. — This is one of the best for cultivation in 

 Central Europe. 



Early Minnesota. — A very early kind, growing from 3 to 4 ft. 

 high. 



The Early Crosby and the Large Early Eight-rowed. — These 

 are somewhat larger kinds than the preceding one, with a longer 

 head, but about ten days later. 



Concord. — A stronger growing kind, of excellent quality. 



Stowell's Evergreen Late. — A later kind, but a good bearer, 

 and keeping the heads tender and delicate for a longer time. 



Besides these may be mentioned the Early Narraganset Dwarf, 

 the ripe seeds of which are red, and the Sweet Mexican, which has 

 black seeds. 



Culture. — The Maize is sown in the open air about the same 

 time as Kidney Beans — that is, as soon as the ground has become 

 somewhat warmed, and there is no longer any danger of frost. All 

 the attention it requires is the occasional use of the hoe when 

 the plants are commencing to grow, and occasional waterings when 

 they have become pretty strong. The earliest kinds sometimes 

 yield a few well-grown heads about the end of July, and heads may 

 be had somewhat earlier, if a sowing is made in a hot-bed and the 

 young plants put out in the open ground about May 25th. 

 By making successional sowings, and employing varieties of 

 different degrees of earliness, fresh heads may be had up to the 

 arrival of the first frosts. 



Uses. — The head or " cob " is boiled and served up, either 

 entire, or the seeds are taken off and served up like Kidney Beans. 

 The heads are also gathered when very young and small and 

 before the flower opens, and are pickled in vinegar like Gherkins. 



CURLED, or CURLED-LEAVED, 

 MALLOW 



Malva crzspa, L. Malvacece. 



French, Mauve frisee. German, Krausblattrige 

 Malve. Italian, Malva crespa. 



Native of the East. — Annual. — A 

 large plant, with an erect, simple, or 

 slightly branched stem, 4 to over 6 ft. 

 high, and leafy to the top. Leaves 

 large, round, light green in colour, very 

 elegantly curled and puckered at the 

 edges ; flowers white, small, in long 

 leafy terminal clusters ; seeds brown, 



26 



Curled Mallow. 



